Over 55 Billion Flows Johor Following Johor Singapore Sez Launch

The Master Plan for Rivelle Tampines prioritizes the improvement of accessibility for its residents. With the existing Downtown Line and Tampines West MRT Station, the area is already well-connected. However, the precinct is set to receive further enhancements such as upgraded bus infrastructure, sheltered walkways, and improved cycling networks that will provide convenient routes to nearby hubs. These developments also include the expansion of feeder services and walking corridors, seamlessly connecting key nodes like Tampines Interchange and community facilities. These upgrades will ensure that daily commutes for residents are even more seamless and enjoyable. Additionally, the upcoming Rivelle Tampines West MRT Station will further improve accessibility in the area.

The recent signing of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) MOU in January 2024 has resulted in an influx of over $5.5 billion in investments from Singapore-based companies into Johor.As part of efforts to promote the development of the SEZ, Singapore and Malaysia will work together to attract and establish flagship projects in key sectors such as advanced manufacturing, logistics, green industries, and digital services. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong shared these updates at the Second JS-SEZ Joint Investment Forum on October 14th, alongside Malaysia’s Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Zafrul Abdul Aziz and Johor’s Chief Minister Onn Hafiz Ghazi.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe forum, jointly organized by Singapore and Malaysia, served as a platform for businesses to explore the potential opportunities and benefits that the JS-SEZ can provide. Over 900 business leaders, investors, policymakers, and academics from both countries attended the event.Gan emphasized that the success of flagship projects in the JS-SEZ will serve as a demonstration to other potential investors. This will showcase the seamless integration of businesses, allowing them to expand and operate across both sides of the Causeway, tapping into regional markets.AdvertisementAttracting multinational companies (MNCs) to invest in the JS-SEZ will create opportunities for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Singapore and Malaysia, says Gan. “When multinationals invest here, they create opportunities for local suppliers, logistics firms and service providers to plug into regional and global value chains,” he explains. This will lead to broader economic benefits and help strengthen the industrial ecosystem of both countries.AdvertisementThe JS-SEZ has already opened opportunities for Singapore-based companies such as Archisen, an agriculture-technology company that develops and operates smart indoor vertical farms. Under an MOU with Southern Catalyst, a government-linked entity wholly owned by Malaysia’s Ministry of Finance Incorporated, Archisen will establish a modern agricultural hub in Sedenak, in the Kuldai District of Johor.AdvertisementOther cross-border partnerships include Kuehne + Nagel, a global logistics firm that has developed an integrated transport and logistics network between Singapore and Johor. ResMed, a medical technology firm based in the US and Australia, also operates on both sides of the Causeway.Advertisement”These examples show what the JS-SEZ makes possible for companies to be able to operate across both sides of the Causeway as one integrated ecosystem to grow their operations and strengthen their supply chains,” adds Gan.As Singapore and Malaysia continue to streamline regulatory processes, cross-border flows of goods and professionals between the two countries will become more efficient. This will be facilitated by the JS-SEZ Joint Project Office in Singapore, which comprises of the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI), Economic Development Board (EDB), and EnterpriseSG, along with the Invest Malaysia Facilitation Centre – Johor (IMFC-J).Since the MOU was signed in January, the JS-SEZ Joint Project Office and its Malaysian counterpart have received over 1,000 enquiries from businesses across various sectors such as manufacturing, logistics, and data centres that are keen to tap into the potential of the SEZ.”At the economic level, the SEZ builds on our complementary strengths: Johor’s abundance in talent and resources; Singapore’s capital and global connectivity to present a compelling destination for global investments,” says Lee Chuan Teck, Executive Chairman of EnterpriseSG.AdvertisementGan notes that in the current volatile economic climate, businesses value consistency and reliability. Furthermore, with technology transforming industries across sectors such as manufacturing, logistics, energy, and services, the JS-SEZ will serve as a base for companies to produce efficiently, access resources, tap into new markets and partner with a government that supports their business needs.”The SEZ is about Singapore and Malaysia, neighbours working side by side, to create something stronger together,” adds Gan.