SINGAPORE: The Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) has recorded RM88.83 billion (S$28.1 billion) in approved investments between its inception in January 2025 and June 2026, the Johor-Singapore Cooperation Ministerial Committee said in a joint statement on Monday (Nov 2).

The investments are under the purview of the Malaysian Investment Development Authority. About 45 per cent of the investments – or about RM40.3 billion – have been implemented, creating 12,796 jobs associated with the projects, said the joint statement. In total, the approved projects will create 28,755 potential employment opportunities.

The Johor-Singapore Cooperation Ministerial Committee (JSCMC) held its first meeting at the Flower Field Hall at Gardens by the Bay on Monday morning.

Minister for National Development Chee Hong Tat, Malaysia’s Minister of Economy YB Akmal Nasir, Senior Minister of State for Transport and National Development Sun Xueling, Johor’s chief minister Onn Hafiz Ghazi and other senior officials from both countries attended the meeting.

Speaking to the media after the meeting, Mr Chee said it was “very productive” and “fruitful”.

He added that good progress has been made since the formation of the committee last year.

“This is really the beginning of many more to come. We can only achieve this because we have been working very closely together as partners, reinforcing the pro-business environment that the Johor-Singapore SEZ is able to provide to investors,” he said, adding that many investors are from Singapore and other parts of the world.

Mr Akmal said the countries had also agreed to hold the joint investment forum for the Special Economic Zone by the first quarter of 2027.

“So definitely, we want to keep up this good momentum, and definitely it will bring benefits to both nations, to the people, and to the business communities in these two regions,” he added.

Singapore's Minister for National Development Chee Hong Tat (third from left), Malaysia's Minister of Economy YB Akmal Nasir (second from left), with Singapore's Senior Minister of State for Transport and National Development Sun Xueling and Johor Menteri Besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi at the 1st Johor-Singapore Cooperation Ministerial Committee meeting held at Gardens by the Bay on Nov 2, 2026.

UPDATE ON PROGRESS At the meeting, both countries agreed that the committee would comprise Malaysia’s minister of economy, minister of investment, trade and industry, the Menteri Besar of Johor, as well as Singapore’s minister for national development, minister for energy, trade and industry and minister for transport.

According to the joint statement, both countries reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring that the institutional, regulatory and operational frameworks needed for the JS-SEZ are effectively put in place.

The committee was also updated on the progress made under the JS-SEZ Joint Working Committee and its working groups.

Both countries also welcomed ongoing efforts to support businesses exploring investment opportunities in the Special Economic Zone, including through Singapore’s JS-SEZ Project Office and Malaysia’s Invest Malaysia Facilitation Centre – Johor.

At the meeting, both sides noted Malaysia's ongoing initiatives under Budget 2027 to support the JS-SEZ.

This includes the development of Nexus Sedenak – a new industrial and supply chain hub – improved infrastructure and transport connectivity, facilitation of strategic investments and the strengthening of financial services in Forest City.

“These initiatives complement bilateral efforts to enhance the JS-SEZ's competitiveness,” said both countries.

The committee also took note of the progress and forward plans presented by the Special Economic Zone’s Joint Working Committee. Plans covered the adequate planning and coordination of infrastructure and utilities development to align the overall development plans and anticipated investment needs.

The joint working committee also reported good progress on effective implementation, including targeted investment missions and engagements, investment realisation, cross-border connectivity and talent development collaborations between both countries for JS-SEZ.

“Both sides expressed satisfaction with the positive momentum of bilateral cooperation and reaffirmed their commitment to working closely through the JSCMC to drive inclusive growth, strengthen regional competitiveness, and further deepen the longstanding partnership between Singapore and Malaysia,” the committee said.

Mr Chee said the committee is a useful platform for ministers from both sides to discuss areas where they can strengthen their cooperation.

Examples of areas of collaboration include talent development, the movement of people and goods, facilitating trade and investments, and doing joint promotions together.

He added that both sides are looking at how to strengthen connectivity, such as through the enhancement of the cross-border taxi services between Singapore and Johor and the RTS link that comes into operation in February next year.

The upcoming JS-SEZ masterplan and investment blueprint represents a “medium- to longer-term” version of what both countries want to achieve for the SEZ, he added.

“But to be able to realise this vision, a lot of hard work needs to go in between the various agencies to iron out some of these specific initiatives on talent development, on facilitating the movement of people and goods, on facilitating trade and investments, looking at transportation and connectivity,” he said.

The launch of the masterplan was initially planned for March this year. Mr Akmal said it will likely be launched by the end of this year, coinciding with the annual Malaysia-Singapore Leaders’ Retreat.

“With this blueprint in place, we expect the momentum for 2027 will hopefully be higher in terms of the commitment from (both) countries,” he said.

The Malaysia–Singapore Joint Ministerial Committee for Iskandar Malaysia (JMCIM), which was formed in 2007, was refreshed into the Johor–Singapore Cooperation Ministerial Committee in November 2025.

Both sides agreed at the time to set up working groups relating to the Special Economic Zone, transportation and other areas, with the working groups reporting to the joint ministerial committee.

Malaysia and Singapore jointly set up the Special Economic Zone in January 2025, with a target of attracting global investments and creating 20,000 skilled jobs in the first five years.

The JS-SEZ, which was first mooted in July 2023, will span 3,571 sq km and comprise nine “flagship areas” catering to different economic sectors.

Malaysia and Singapore will promote and facilitate investments in 11 economic sectors from third countries and Singapore companies expanding into the JS-SEZ.

These sectors are manufacturing, logistics, food security, tourism, energy, the digital economy, the green economy, financial services, business services, education and health.