Retail traffic up after border reopening

Businesses believe that Malaysia and Singapore depend on each other for better prospects. - Filepic

THERE are already positive signs the country’s economy is starting to recover, say business associations.

Malaysia Shopping Malls Association (PPK) southern region representative Farrer Tan said there was strong interest from new tenants and retailers to start operations.

She said new tenants occupying their premises was good for shopping mall operators in Johor Baru especially.

“The last two years were most challenging for us because of the pandemic,” she added.

Many retailers, Tan said, were left without much choice but to cease operations because of several movement control orders.

She said the opening of the border between Malaysia and Singapore on April 1 would further boost human traffic volume at shopping complexes in Johor Baru.

“Feedback from our members showed there was no specific segment of products and services offered by the new retailers,” Tan added.She said it all depended on the management of the malls to have a good mix of tenants in order to attract the crowds back.

Malaysia Budget and Business Hotel Association (MyBHA) national deputy president Dr Sri Ganesh Michiel said the recovery of the hospitality and tourism sectors depended on tourists’ confidence to visit the country.

“We hope to see Singaporeans flocking to Johor like they did in pre-Covid-19 days.”

Iskandar Malaysia Johor Chamber of Commerce and Industry advisor Md Salikon Sarpin said the movement of people between both countries was good for the economy.

He said ties between Johor and Singapore would be stronger if the economic aspect was given more emphasis because of Johor’s close proximity to the republic.

“Johor and Singapore are economically interdependent and this results in a win-win situation for both,” he added.

Salikon said Malaysia provided the manpower for businesses in Singapore and in return, this helped boost Johor’s economy when Malaysian workers spend their earnings in the state.

He added that Johor’s economy would benefit immensely with the return of thousands of Malaysian workers who were stranded in the republic when the border was closed on March 18, 2020.

“The reopening could also see more locals crossing the Causeway to seek employment,” said Salikon.