Johor-S’pore economic zone to create 100,000 quality jobs, says MB

The Iskandar development corridor extends from Johor Bahru to Iskandar Puteri, Kulai and parts of Pontian. (Wikipedia pic)

PETALING JAYA: The Johor-Singapore special economic zone (JS-SEZ) project is expected to create up to 100,000 high-paying jobs, says Johor menteri besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi.

The JS–SEZ joint agreement between Malaysia and Singapore, which is expected to be inked by the end of this year, will detail the cooperation agreed upon by both countries for the project’s development, including the sectors to be focussed on, the locations, and incentives to be offered.

Onn Hafiz said he was confident the project will attract sizeable foreign investments and contribute to Johor’s economic growth.

“This initiative is set to transform the (economic) landscape of the state,” Bernama quoted him as saying at the Johor International Student Leaders Conference 2024 in Johor Bahru today.

He said the “Maju Johor 2030” agenda initiated by the state government has shown great progress, with 55 strategies and 209 initiatives implemented over the past two years resulting in RM113.7 billion in investments and 35,000 job opportunities.

The JS-SEZ is expected to improve the business ecosystems of both the Iskandar Malaysia region and Singapore, especially in the electronics, financial services, business‑related services and healthcare sectors.

Singapore is the state’s second-largest foreign investor, contributing about 70% of Johor’s total foreign direct investment in the manufacturing sector.