Johor Bahru — Malaysia and Singapore have entered a landmark partnership to establish the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), a cross-border initiative aimed at boosting trade, mobility, and investment between the two neighboring nations.

Announced following a bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, the JS-SEZ is set to offer significant economic incentives including streamlined customs procedures, passport-free travel arrangements, and aligned industrial development strategies.

The zone is strategically designed to harness Johor’s strength in manufacturing and Singapore’s capabilities in finance and logistics. It is also expected to create thousands of high-quality jobs on both sides of the Causeway while positioning the two countries as a unified economic engine within ASEAN.

Johor’s Chief Minister Onn Hafiz Ghazi described the SEZ as “a golden opportunity to transform Johor’s future economy,” emphasizing its role in attracting investors and enhancing regional connectivity.

Economic analysts view the initiative as a major step toward ASEAN integration, especially amid growing interest in cross-border infrastructure, green energy collaboration, and unified digital trade frameworks.

The JS-SEZ is projected to begin implementation in phases, with the first batch of business and mobility reforms rolling out later this year.