Malaysia courts US firms with pitch for Johor-Singapore economic zone

SINGAPORE, June 24 — Malaysia is committed to fostering deeper engagement with American companies, particularly within the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ).

Johor Economic, Tourism and Cultural Office (JETCO) Singapore’s executive chairman, Datuk Seri Hasni Mohammad, said the JS-SEZ brings together Malaysia’s industrial strengths, competitive cost structure and expanding digital infrastructure.

The special economic zone also leverages the country’s multilingual, highly skilled workforce together with Singapore’s financial ecosystem and global connectivity network.

Hasni also emphasised that the JS-SEZ initiative reflects Asean’s wider transition into becoming a strategic production, consumption and innovation region.

“We believe that Asean centrality and this firm belief will give us strategic neutrality alongside economic engagement.

“We welcome technology partnerships, innovation ecosystems, and we believe this remains a tremendous untapped potential between Malaysia, Asean and the United States,” he said during a networking lunch with the American Chamber of Commerce Singapore (AmChamSG) on Wednesday.

A total of 24 AmChamSG members were briefed on Johor’s economic outlook, recent developments under the JS-SEZ, and investment opportunities across key growth sectors at the event.

Hasni said Johor and Malaysia’s commitment to an open and investor-friendly environment would remain steadfast, notwithstanding the ongoing state elections and the upcoming general election.

“Our fundamental status as a globally connected and investment-friendly nation will not reverse regardless of any electoral outcome.

“If anything, competitive politics is increasingly pushing policymakers toward stronger economic delivery,” he added. — Bernama