Alvin Tan on Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone

Since the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in January 2024, Singapore and Malaysia have been in discussions on early initiatives such as passport-free QR code clearance at land checkpoints and a one-stop service centre to facilitate business approvals. The Malaysian government is separately deliberating the area and sectors to be covered by the Johor-Singapore SEZ. Minister of State for Trade and Industry Alvin Tan said this in response to an MP's question in Parliament on Wednesday (May 8). He added that the two countries are also working towards an agreement on the SEZ and will provide an update to the 11th Malaysia-Singapore Leaders' Retreat to be held later this year. Turning to how local heartland enterprises can be assisted to manage challenges arising from a potential shift in spending from Singapore to Johor, Mr Tan said that the Government will continue to revitalise the heartlands and help heartland enterprises transform to stay competitive. One example is the Heartland Enterprise Placemaking Grant announced this year to encourage business growth and footfall, said Mr Tan.