Kuala Lampur:Malaysia and Singapore are working together to attract third-country investors to the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) in an effort to bolster the area as a regional investment and export hub.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong emphasized that the collaboration will extend beyond just Johor and Singapore. The initiative includes plans to attract international investors and facilitate exports to various markets. Gan highlighted the significance of this bilateral cooperation during a business luncheon with the Malaysia-Singapore Business Council, which took place during his one-day working visit.

Gan, who is also the Minister for Trade and Industry, noted that Singapore's upcoming ASEAN Chairmanship will focus on executing projects linked to the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA). This agreement aims to enhance digital cooperation among ASEAN countries and is expected to come into effect next year following its anticipated signing this year.

Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani added that Singaporean firms have committed over S$5.5 billion to the JS-SEZ, a move that is projected to create thousands of high-value jobs. These investments span sectors such as advanced manufacturing, data centers, energy technology, and solar energy, transforming the JS-SEZ from a strategic concept into a dynamic private economy hub.