Projected Impact of Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone on Cross-border Investment, Job Creation and Supply Chain Resilience
Ministry of Trade and IndustrySpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the projected impact of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) on investment and job creation, with Mr Saktiandi Supaat seeking updates on its progress. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong noted that the JS-SEZ leverages Singapore’s connectivity and Johor’s resources, attracting RM 56 billion in investments by mid-2025. He explained that twinning with Johor allows Singapore-based firms to anchor operations locally while tapping regional advantages, citing companies like Agrocorp, Day One, and ResMed. These partnerships create good jobs for Singaporeans by utilizing hub-and-spoke models that combine Singapore’s R&D and management with Johor’s manufacturing capabilities. This framework aims to strengthen supply chain resilience and provide sustainable economic benefits through a combined value proposition for global investors.
Transcript
27 Mr Saktiandi Supaat asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry (a) how the new Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) is projected to impact cross-border investment, job creation and supply chain resilience over the next five years; (b) whether the Ministry can provide an update on the progress of the JS-SEZ; and (c) how it can benefit Singaporeans directly and sustainably.
Mr Gan Kim Yong: The Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) will allow Singapore and Johor to complement each other's strengths. Companies can use Singapore's global networks and connectivity as a business and financial hub and Johor's land and resource advantages. This combined offering presents an attractive value proposition to potential investors keen to invest in the region.
Since the JS-SEZ Agreement was signed in January 2025, JS-SEZ has attracted considerable business interest. This is evidenced by Johor's record-high approved investment of RM 56 billion1 from domestic and foreign investors in the first half of 2025.
Twinning with the JS-SEZ support, the growth of Singapore-based companies, which, in turn, anchor their operations in Singapore, tap on our ecosystem offerings and create good jobs for Singaporeans. Examples of companies that have successfully tapped on Singapore and Johor's complementary strengths include: Agrocorp, a Singapore headquartered agri-commodities and food ingredient firm, recently expanded its downstream capabilities in plant protein extraction with a new plant in Johor’s Tanjung Langsat with its Japanese partner. The plant will use protein extraction technology developed by Agrocorp and Singapore Institute of Technology; Day One, a data centre developer and operator has invested $350 million to develop a data centre in Singapore, which is expected to create 200 jobs2. It also has investments in the JS-SEZ, as part of a hub and spoke model; and ResMed, a US medical device company, houses its Asia Pacific headquarters, research and development and advanced manufacturing facilities for finished medical products in Singapore, collectively employing over 1,400 people. Its Singapore operations provide management oversight and technical support to its manufacturing facilities in Johor.