KOTA ISKANDAR: The state government is expected to announce incentives that could further boost economic activities in the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) and the Special Financial Zone (SFZ).
Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said the incentives, which would be announced during the tabling of Johor Budget 2025, would complement other initiatives mooted by the federal government.
"We cooperate well with the federal government, but we should not leave them to do everything.
"I will be announcing incentives for this special economic zone and the financial zone to help further stimulate economic activities in this area.
"We are doing what we can. Though it may not be much, every little bit helps," he said, adding that the SEZ agreement is expected to be signed by Malaysia and Singapore on Dec 9.
He said this in a press conference during the Forest City Customs Complex officiating ceremony here on Sunday (Nov 10).
It was earlier reported that the Malaysia-Singapore Joint Ministerial Committee for Iskandar Malaysia (JMCIM) held a special meeting to discuss the progress of the JS-SEZ on Nov 8.
The meeting was co-chaired by Economic Minister Rafizi Ramli and Singapore’s Minister for National Development, Desmond Lee.
The meeting was to discuss the draft of the JS-SEZ joint agreement, which is expected to be signed by Malaysia and Singapore during the 11th Malaysia-Singapore Leaders’ Retreat that is likely to be held next month.
In January, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his Singaporean counterpart, Lee Hsien Loong, witnessed the signing ceremony of the memorandum of understanding on JS-SEZ between the two countries.
During the tabling of Budget 2025 last month, Anwar said that he would announce special incentives for the JS-SEZ by the end of this year.
