Potential Sectors for Collaboration and Singapore Firms' Operational Concerns in Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone
Ministry of Trade and IndustrySpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the potential collaboration sectors and operational concerns within the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) raised by Mr Neil Parekh Nimil Rajnikant. Minister of State Alvin Tan identified manufacturing, transport, digital economy, and energy as key sectors for collaboration while noting business concerns regarding labour availability and cross-border movement. He stated that the government is prioritising these issues in discussions with Malaysia to enhance investment facilitation and the flow of goods and people. For small and medium enterprises, the JS-SEZ provides twinning opportunities to combine Singapore’s financial strengths with Johor’s land and resource advantages. Additionally, the zone serves as a gateway to Malaysian markets and improves operational efficiency through the faster movement of talent and goods.
Transcript
18 Mr Neil Parekh Nimil Rajnikant asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry (a) which are some of the potential business sectors in Johor that Malaysia businesses are keen to collaborate with Singapore businesses under the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ); and (b) what are some of the infrastructural and operational areas in the JSEZ that continue to be of concern to Singapore businesses.
The Minister of State for Trade and Industry (Mr Alvin Tan) (for the Minister for Trade and Industry): Sir, the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) seeks to strengthen economic connectivity between Singapore and Johor by improving the flow of goods and people and the business environment in Johor. It will enable both Johor and Singapore to build on each other's complementary strengths to better compete for global investments together. These could come from a range of sectors, including manufacturing, transport and logistics, digital economy and energy.
In a report released by the Singapore Business Federation in July 2024, businesses surveyed on the JS-SEZ said they wished to see operational and infrastructural improvements that would enhance investment facilitation, labour availability and the cross-border movement of goods and people. We have prioritised these issues in our discussions with the Malaysian government.
Mr Speaker: Mr Neil Parekh.
Mr Neil Parekh Nimil Rajnikant (Nominated Member): I thank the Minister of State. If I may ask a supplementary question. In the Minister of State's view, how will the JS-SEZ help small and medium enterprises (SMEs) as well as other businesses in Singapore?
Mr Speaker: Minister of State Tan. A short answer, please.
Mr Alvin Tan: Thank you, Mr Speaker. Just three quick points.
First, the JS-SEZ offers twinning opportunities for businesses to establish complementary operations in Johor. So, businesses can tap on to Singapore's offerings as a tech, business and financial hub while also using Johor's land and resource advantages. That is one. Second, the JS-SEZ can serve as a gateway for Singapore businesses to better serve their clients in Malaysia. And third, businesses can look forward to moving both goods and talent across the border in a shorter time and this will enhance operational efficiency.
1.30 pm
Mr Speaker: Order. End of Question Time. Ministerial Statement. Minister for Transport.
[Pursuant to Standing Order No 22(3), provided that Members had not asked for questions standing in their names to be postponed to a later Sitting day or withdrawn, written answers to questions not reached by the end of Question Time are reproduced in the Appendix.]