Singapore Companies Commit Over RM17.8 Billion Investments into Johor’s JS-SEZ

PETALING JAYA, Oct 14 — The Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) continues to attract strong investor interest, with Singapore-based companies committing over .5 billion (approximately RM17.88 billion) in investments into Johor. The announcement was made by Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister and Trade Minister Gan Kim Yong during the second JS-SEZ Joint Investment Forum held today.

Gan noted that the JS-SEZ initiative has made significant progress since the designation of nine flagship development zones in January and the establishment of the Joint Project Office in April. The office — a collaboration between Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI), Economic Development Board (EDB), and Enterprise Singapore — works closely with Malaysia’s Invest Malaysia Facilitation Centre, which was launched earlier in February.

“This partnership is already taking shape on the ground,” said Gan, highlighting several companies that have begun aligning their operations within the JS-SEZ framework.

Key Investments Taking Root in Johor

Among the first movers is Archisen, a Singapore-based agritech firm that specializes in smart indoor vertical farming. Archisen recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Malaysia’s Southern Catalyst to develop a 200-acre modern agricultural hub in Sedenak, Johor.

Another participant, Kuehne + Nagel, a global logistics company, is building an integrated transport and logistics network across Singapore and Johor. This initiative is expected to enhance supply chain efficiency and scalability, strengthening Johor’s position as a regional logistics hub.

Meanwhile, ResMed, an international medtech company, will operate dual facilities on both sides of the Causeway — combining Johor’s cost and scale advantages with Singapore’s manufacturing expertise and global logistics ecosystem.

A Strategic Collaboration Between Two Economies

During a forum dialogue between Johor Chief Minister Hafiz Ghazi and Singapore Business Federation CEO Kok Ping Soon, Singapore’s Dr Beh Swan Gin, Permanent Secretary at MTI, confirmed that the .5 billion in commitments stemmed from a range of sectors — including food manufacturing, food processing, and data centres.

“Many of these companies are leveraging Johor’s land availability and cost efficiency alongside Singapore’s capital and connectivity,” Dr Beh explained.

Enterprise Singapore’s Executive Chairman, Lee Chuan Teck, described the JS-SEZ as a “win-win partnership” that deepens bilateral cooperation between the two nations.

“Johor and Singapore are natural partners — linked not just by land crossings, but by shared history, family ties, and economic interdependence,” he said. “At the economic level, this SEZ builds on complementary strengths: Johor’s workforce and resources combined with Singapore’s financial capital and global reach.”

Since its formal launch, the JS-SEZ joint offices in both countries have received over 1,000 investment enquiries across key industries such as manufacturing, logistics, and data infrastructure.

Broader Impact on Malaysia’s Property and Industrial Landscape

The JS-SEZ is expected to transform southern Malaysia into a regional growth powerhouse, driving spillover demand for supporting facilities across the supply chain. Developers and investors are already watching how this cross-border synergy may influence the broader industrial property market — particularly in Selangor and the Klang Valley, where connectivity to Johor and Singapore adds strategic value.

As Johor’s industrial footprint expands, rising demand for industrial land in Selangor, factories in Puchong, and industrial property in Subang area could follow, especially among multinational firms seeking operational diversity. Similarly, commercial property in KL and office space in Bukit Jalil may attract interest from logistics, technology, and manufacturing players coordinating regional operations from the capital.

The JS-SEZ initiative represents not only a trade collaboration but also a blueprint for integrated economic ecosystems — where regional connectivity, innovation, and sustainability converge to drive Malaysia’s long-term property and industrial development narrative.