Singapore, Malaysia leaders meet to advance discussions on special economic zone

JOHOR BAHRU - Singapore’s Minister for National Development Desmond Lee met Malaysia’s Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli to advance discussions on the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone on Nov 7.

The “special meeting” of the Malaysia-Singapore Joint Ministerial Committee for Iskandar Malaysia (JMCIM) discussed the draft JS-SEZ Joint Agreement, which both countries will work towards signing during the 11th Malaysia-Singapore Leaders’ Retreat, a joint statement issued after the meeting said.

The meeting, held at Amari Hotel in Johor Bahru, the capital city of Johor state, was co-chaired by Mr Lee and Datuk Seri Rafizi, according to a joint statement from both countries after the meeting.

The leaders’ retreat is expected to be held later in 2024. Malaysia is expected to host the next retreat, with the previous one held in Singapore in October 2023 with then Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong hosting Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

The JMCIM meeting was also attended by Johor’s Menteri Besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi and Singapore’s Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat, along with senior officials from both countries.

“The JS-SEZ aims to bring mutual benefits to businesses and people from both countries, including enhancing the flow of goods and people, improving the ease of doing business, and supporting talent development,” said the joint statement.

It added that the joint ministerial committee will also work towards refreshing its organising structure in the coming year to better support the ambition and development of the special economic zone, while reinforcing bilateral cooperation on other fronts, such as transport and the environment.

“The JMCIM looks forward to convening again in 1H 2025 in Malaysia to sustain the positive momentum of bilateral collaboration,” the statement added.

The JS-SEZ,

officially announced in October 2023

during Datuk Seri Anwar’s visit to Singapore for the 10th leaders’ retreat, is planned as an integrated zone for business and investment.

The upcoming zone is likely to cover the Iskandar Malaysia region located after the Second Link in Tuas, and the Pengerang district near Singapore’s Pulau Tekong. The zone is expected to cover 3,505 sq km across southern Johor, or more than four times the size of Singapore.

Malaysia and Singapore in January signed a memorandum of understanding to finalise an agreement to set up the zone by the end of 2024.

Mr Rafizi had said in July that the final agreement was expected to be inked in September, but

the plan was aborted due to several sticking points

, with Malaysian officials saying the deal is now expected to be signed during the annual leaders’ retreat at the end of the year.