ISKANDAR PUTERI: With 2025 less than 20 days away, civil servants and leaders of government-linked companies (GLCs) in the state have been reminded to be prepared for the upcoming Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (SEZ).
Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said 2025 will be a “make-or-break” year for the state, especially with the signing of the SEZ with Singapore in January.
“It will determine whether Johor can achieve its goal of becoming a developed state,” he said in his speech during the Economic Synergy Executive Talk at a hotel here yesterday.
He said the whole world will be watching Johor closely next year following the signing.
Onn Hafiz said the investors he met during his official visits to Shenzhen in China, South Korea, Japan and the United Arab Emirates have also expressed their eagerness for the SEZ.
“Even now, before the signing of the SEZ, Johor already has a competitive edge due to its strategic location, resources, manpower, as well as land availability.
“The cost of doing business is also cheaper here. It is about 30% cheaper compared with Kuala Lumpur and 70% cheaper than Singapore,” he said.
