Kuala lumpur: The Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) Master Plan is poised for its official launch during the Annual Leaders' Retreat this December, Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir announced. The event, which will take place in Malaysia, will see Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his Singaporean counterpart Lawrence Wong jointly conducting the launch.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the unveiling of the master plan aims to position the JS-SEZ as a significant regional investment hub. Minister Akmal highlighted that the launch is a key agenda item for the retreat, emphasizing its potential to enhance cross-border economic collaboration.
Minister Akmal further revealed that he recently met with Singapore's National Development Minister Chee Hong Tat. They agreed to hold a ministerial-level meeting of the Johor-Singapore Cooperation Ministerial Committee (JSCMC) in November, underscoring the ongoing commitment to bilateral cooperation.
Addressing concerns about Malaysia's investment appeal in light of the Network School issue, Minister Akmal assured that the ministry remains focused on fostering investor confidence and leveraging the strong economic partnership with Singapore. He stated that the topic was not discussed in the recent meeting, as the priority remains on expanding the JS-SEZ's reach and impact.
In response to Apex Securities' analysis regarding potential disruptions to shipping routes in the Strait of Malacca, Minister Akmal affirmed the government's commitment to maintaining energy supply stability to support continued economic activities.
Additionally, Minister Akmal announced Batu Pahat as the pilot city for the national-level Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) programme. This initiative will eventually expand to 12 other districts, aiming to align economic growth with improved quality of life at the local level. The SDG goals are integral to the ministry's growth strategy, with a target of achieving 40 percent of official reporting under the 13th Malaysia Plan. The initiative also reflects the positive impact of the JS-SEZ in promoting sustainable development across Johor's districts.