JOHOR BARU: The government will discuss tax incentives for businesses investing in the halal industry within the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
The Deputy Prime Minister said he would raise the matter with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday (June 5).
“The Johor Mentri Besar (Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi) has requested for a tax holiday. I will whisper this to the PM, for the matter to be given due reconsideration.
“I will try to follow through... he may consider including (the tax holiday) as one of the incentives given to halal industry players in his Budget 2025 speech in October,” Ahmad Zahid told a press conference after launching the Halal on Track programme at the Persada Johor International Convention Centre here on Tuesday (June 4).
At the event, he also emphasised the potential of the halal market, urging local entrepreneurs to seize the opportunity to introduce more halal-certified products not just in the food and beverage category.
In his welcome address earlier, Onn Hafiz asked for special tax incentives for companies that invest in the JS-SEZ as well as the improvement of infrastructure such as roads.
The Prime Ministers of both countries have agreed to finalise the full-fledged JS-SEZ agreement during the Singapore-Malaysia Leaders Retreat in September.
A memorandum of understanding was inked in January to jointly develop the special economic zone.
