Johor-Singapore SEZ Forum Signals New Era of Economic Integration, Says Deputy Minister

Credit Photo : MITI

JOHOR BAHRU, April 21, 2025 – Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade, and Industry YB Liew Chin Tong hailed the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) as a transformative opportunity for regional growth during his opening address at the JS-SEZ Joint Business and Investment Forum at Persada Johor International Conference Centre.

Speaking to a distinguished audience, including Malaysia’s High Commissioner to Singapore H.E. Dato’ Dr. Azfar Mohamad Mustafar, Singapore’s High Commissioner to Malaysia H.E. Vanu Gopala Menon, and industry leaders, Liew emphasized the need for deeper economic integration amid global trade shifts. He highlighted that the JS-SEZ, unlike past attempts like the 1989 SIJORI Growth Triangle and 2006 Iskandar Development Region, is poised for success due to a changing global landscape prioritizing “just-in-case” security over “just-in-time” efficiency.

“The world is moving from a single global_pricetag_ single global supply chain to multiple regional ones. Geopolitics is now central to global trade, making Johor-Singapore integration critical,” Liew said. “This time, if we integrate well, we can create something meaningful for Malaysia, Singapore, and ASEAN.”

Liew outlined a vision for a “3.0” economy, shifting from resource-based trading (pre-1970s) and outsourced manufacturing (1970s-2000s) to innovation-driven growth. “It’s no longer just ‘Made in Malaysia’ but ‘Made by Malaysians,’ creating our own intellectual property,” he said, urging a focus on developing middle-tech solutions for ASEAN, India, and emerging markets.

The JS-SEZ, leveraging Singapore’s financial prowess and Johor’s innovation potential, could position the region as a global technology hub, Liew noted. He envisioned a future where a robust ASEAN middle class drives regional consumption, fostering two- and three-way trade with markets like Africa and South America by 2045.

“The JS-SEZ isn’t just about Johor and Singapore—it’s about building a better world,” Liew concluded, calling for collaboration to strengthen ASEAN’s economic coherence.