Latest news with #Johor-SingaporeSpecialEconomicZone
The Star
11 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
PM: JS-SEZ stands out globally due to trust and stability
ISKANDAR PUTERI: The Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) stands out globally due to the strong trust and cooperation between Malaysia and Singapore, as well as the zone's political stability and policy clarity, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. 'Look at this region, this SEZ. It would not have happened if the two governments, the two systems, do not share common interests in uplifting both countries. 'This is not an ordinary SEZ. You name me any economic zone that involves two countries based on total trust and working together as a team to uplift both societies and countries. 'And therefore I give credit not only to Malaysian leaders in Johor, but also our Singapore friends who have been articulating the support,' the Prime Minister said in his speech during the closing ceremony of the Nikkei Forum here. While many countries offer better incentives than the JS-SEZ, he pointed out that not many have a politically stable system, a strong coalition, willingness to acknowledge past blunders and commit to clear policies moving forward. 'That is why the JS-SEZ is now known internationally, globally, as a new dynamo, because of this collaboration, infrastructure in place and because it is politically stable with clarity of policies,' he said. Anwar, who detailed all the wars and turmoil around the world, said that Asean happens to be one of the most peaceful regions in the world which is vibrant and dynamic economically. He said that trade and investments remain paramount and must be based on the multilateral arrangements. The Prime Minister described Malaysia's relationship with China as very close, adding that not many countries could record the visits of China's President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang within a short span if relations were not extremely close. 'As a trading nation, we need all the investments, support, trading, and transfer of technology that China can offer, as the Japanese have offered for decades in the past,' he added.
The Star
13 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
Japan to aid Johor's rapid economic development
ISKANDAR PUTERI: Japan is ready to support Johor in easing traffic congestion as the state prepares for rapid economic development, says Japanese Ambassador to Malaysia Noriyuki Shikata. He said that addressing congestion was essential for the state as it anticipates significant economic growth with the rapid progress of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ). 'Japan is eager to collaborate with Johor by offering cutting-edge solutions, including smart transportation systems and quality infrastructure development. 'By employing Japan's artificial intelligence-driven traffic control systems and digitally optimised public transportation networks, we aim to support Johor in overcoming serious traffic congestion,' he said in his speech during the closing ceremony of the Nikkei Forum. He said that traffic jams not only hamper economic activities, but also waste energy, harm the environment and increase the risk of accidents. 'We hope to cooperate with Johor in becoming a model smart city for transportation solutions, not only in Kuala Lumpur or Johor, but also other megacities in Asean and beyond that are facing traffic congestion issues,' he said. He said the upcoming Rapid Transit System Link, along with the proposed Elevated Autonomous Rapid Transit system, are key to improving public transportation in Johor. On another matter, Shikata also noted that there have been extensive discussions on new green investments in Malaysia, which have resulted in concrete expressions of interest. 'Johor is also emerging as a vital hub for data centres, and these facilities require substantial energy for cooling, presenting a significant environmental challenge. 'In this regard, Japan's liquefied natural gas cooling technology offers an environmentally friendly and efficient solution. 'By adapting this technology, data centres in Johor can significantly improve energy efficiency, reduce their environmental impact and enhance operational performance,' he said. Meanwhile, Invest Johor chief executive officer Natazha Harris said Johor is well-equipped with the necessary frameworks and support systems to welcome more Japanese investments. He said that elements crucial to Japanese investors, particularly talent development and policy consistency, are already in place in Johor. 'For talent, we already have the Johor Talent Development Council, which includes collaboration between academia and industry. 'And on the policy side, we have the Johor Super Lane and the Invest Malaysia Facilitation Centre Johor. 'We already have many things to offer. Now it's a matter of ramping up promotion,' he said when met on the sidelines of the forum here in Medini. He said Invest Johor is focusing its efforts on real projects and partnerships that showcase ongoing progress on the ground. 'These initiatives are not just theoretical, they are already being implemented. 'We have strong case studies to highlight, particularly in Kulai under the Kulai Fastlane, and now with the rollout of the Johor Superlane,' he added. Natazha said the two-day forum here was a good platform for Japanese investors to learn more about what the state has to offer. 'Japanese companies already have a presence in Johor even before the forum. 'Now, interest is growing stronger as Japanese companies have more clarity about what Johor has to offer, on top of the ecosystem already in place. This helps us tell our story to a wider audience, especially with the added leverage from the JS-SEZ,' he said. During the closing ceremony here, Invest Johor also signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Yokohama-based listed technology company NEOJAPAN Inc. Natazha said the MoU marks the start of a strategic collaboration to establish the South-East Asian Centre of Excellence (SEA CoE) within the JS-SEZ. 'Through this initiative, Johor aims to position itself as a leading Asean hub for digital transformation by promoting the JS-SEZ as a base for cutting-edge innovation and talent development. 'As part of the effort, the SEA CoE is expected to train over 1,000 local talents in cloud infrastructure, multilingual IT support, and no-code development, while creating 300 high-skilled jobs in the region,' he said.
New Straits Times
a day ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Japan bolsters strategic ties with Malaysia, Johor a critical anchor
ISKANDAR PUTERI: Japan is intensifying its strategic partnership with Malaysia, with Johor emerging as a critical anchor in three key areas. Noriyuki Shikata, Japanese ambassador to Malaysia, said the key areas are green investment, advanced transport infrastructure and education exchange. In his keynote at the Nikkei Forum Medini Johor 2025, Shikata said Japan sees Johor's rapid rise, particularly under the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) as an opportunity for deep bilateral cooperation that aligns with regional goals of sustainability and economic integration. "Johor is fast becoming a vital hub for data centres. These require massive cooling capabilities. Japan is ready to offer our LNG-based cooling technologies to boost energy efficiency and environmental performance," he said. He added that the expected green energy transmission from Sarawak to Johor would create more investment avenues for Japanese companies in line with the Asean Power Grid initiative actively championed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Shikata also highlighted transportation as a critical pressure point in Johor's growth trajectory, urging modern solutions to curb congestion and unlock economic efficiency. "Japan stands ready to support Johor with AI-powered traffic systems and integrated smart public transport. "The RTS Link and E-ART system are crucial and Japan's technology can help make Johor a regional model for next-gen mobility," he said. He highlighted the pivotal role of Johor's seaports, namely the Tanjung Pelepas and Johor ports, in anchoring international trade. He proposed closer collaboration with Japanese partners to enhance port operations and vessel traffic management, boosting competitiveness and job creation. Turning to education, Shikata called for a stronger two-way student exchange and joint university programmes under what he coined the "Look at Each Other Policy," a progression from the traditional Look East Policy. "It is time we build new academic bridges between our institutions in Johor and Japan. These exchanges will cultivate future joint-venture leaders and deepen trust-based cooperation," he said. The ambassador cited the slew of recent high-level visits from Japan, including those by Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru and Economy Minister Muto Yoji- as proof of Japan's confidence in Malaysia as a gateway to Asean growth. "Through joint effort in green tech, transport modernisation and education, our partnership with Johor can lead sustainable development across the region," he said.
New Straits Times
a day ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Johor-Singapore Economic Zone draws billions as Malaysia eyes high-value growth
ISKANDAR PUTERI: The Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) is rapidly gaining traction as global investors bet on Johor's strategic location and policy stability to anchor their expansion into Southeast Asia. Speaking at the Nikkei Forum Medini Johor 2025, Invest Johor chief executive officer Natazha Harris said the agency had received over 400 investment enquiries from multinational companies since the zone's formal establishment in January. "Regardless of global headwinds, Johor is seen as a pocket of stability and a strong business hub," Natazha said, adding Malaysia offers peace, stability, resilience and real opportunities. He was referring to the escalating geopolitical tensions and shifting trade dynamics, with tariffs imposed by U.S president Donald Trump. The JS-SEZ, a joint initiative between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, spans 3,571 sq km, nearly five times the size of Singapore. It aims to catalyse bilateral integration and position southern Malaysia as a high-value investment gateway to Asean. The momentum is already visible. According to the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), Johor pulled in RM48.5 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) in 2024 -a 13 per cent increase from the year before. MIDA deputy chief executive officer Sivasuriyamoorthy Sundara Raja said in just the first quarter of 2025, FDI into Johor stood at RM27.4 billion, driven by the services and manufacturing sectors. "With facilitation measures in place, Malaysia is well-positioned to attract quality investments," he said. Meanwhile, Iskandar Investment Bhd chief executive officer Datuk Idzham Mohd Hashim, said Malaysia does not view Singapore as a competitor, but a strategic partner in a "natural symbiotic relationship." "We are not 'taking' companies from Singapore," he said. "We are working with Singaporean firms and authorities to draw multinationals to the region. "Johor offers up to 60 per cent cost savings compared to Singapore, and about 30 per cent compared to Kuala Lumpur," Idzham said. He added that the JS-SEZ's vision is not merely to be a low-cost extension of Singapore, but to drive high-value growth. Malaysia is targeting 100 strategic investment projects and 20,000 skilled jobs over the next decade. Proposed incentives include a 5 per cent corporate tax rate for 15 years on new manufacturing investments, and a 15 per cent income tax for knowledge workers. Iskandar Regional Development Authority chief executive officer Datuk Noorazam Osman, said almost 300,000 Johoreans cross into Singapore daily for higher wages. "This time, we are tightening bilateral coordination and adopting sector-specific approaches." The JS-SEZ is prioritising digital economy, advanced manufacturing, logistics, and green energy. "The area enjoyed a spike in data centre investments, with tech majors including ByteDance, Microsoft, and Japan's telecommunication company- Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation announcing major expansion plans. The two-day forum co-organised by IIB and Japan's Nikkei Inc. concludes today. The event was hosted by the Johor state government with support from Invest Johor, the Johor Economic Planning Division and the Iskandar Puteri City Council. It is part of ongoing efforts to anchor Johor as a regional innovation hub, supporting the JS-SEZ's vision of deeper cross-border integration with Singapore.
The Star
a day ago
- Business
- The Star
Johor fully equipped to receive more Japanese investment, says Invest Johor CEO
JOHOR BARU: Johor is well-equipped with the necessary frameworks and support systems to welcome more Japanese investments into the state, says Invest Johor chief executive officer Natazha Harris. He said that elements crucial to Japanese investors, particularly talent development and policy consistency, were already in place in Johor. 'For talent, we already have the Johor Talent Development Council, which includes collaboration between academia and industry. 'And for the policy side, we have the Johor Super Lane and the Invest Malaysia Facilitation Centre Johor (IMFCJ). 'We already have many things to offer. Now it's a matter of ramping up promotion,' he said when met on the sidelines of the Nikkei Forum in Medini on Thursday (June 19). He said Invest Johor was focusing its efforts on real projects and partnerships that showcase ongoing progress on the ground. 'These initiatives are not just theoretical, they are already being implemented. 'We have strong case studies to highlight, particularly in Kulai under the Kulai Fastlane, and now with the rollout of the Johor Superlane,' he added. Natazha said the two-day forum here was a good way for Japanese investors to know what the state has to offer. "Japanese companies already have a presence in Johor even before the forum. 'Now, interest is growing stronger as Japanese companies have more clarity about what Johor has to offer, on top of the ecosystem already in place. 'This helps us tell our story to a wider audience, especially with the added leverage from the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ),' he said.
