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Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone

A stronger regional business
ecosystem to power growth

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What you need to know about the
Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ)

A collaboration between the governments of Singapore and Malaysia, the JS-SEZ enables global businesses across industries to establish complementary operations in both countries, to strengthen their market presence in Southeast Asia and beyond.

Leveraging the Best of Both Worlds

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Optimise operations seamlessly

Optimise operations seamlessly
Access competitive resources in Johor and tap on Singapore as a global business hub through enhanced cross-border connectivity and the freer movement of people and goods.

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Strengthen supply chain resilience

Strengthen supply chain resilience
Integrate operations to shorten supply chains, minimise risk, and respond swiftly to market shifts.

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Expand your footprint
in Southeast Asia

Expand your footprint
in Southeast Asia
Seize new opportunities in one of the world’s most dynamic regions.

Build your Strategic Advantage in Southeast Asia

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A springboard to one of the world’s fastest growing economies

Home to around 700 million people – twice the size of the US and 50% larger than the European Union – Southeast Asia is one of the fastest-growing regions in the world. By 2030, it is projected to become the world’s fourth-largest economy, with a combined GDP of US$3.2 trillion. 

The region is also a rising powerhouse for manufacturing, supported by growing infrastructure, expanding supply chains, and competitive costs. This growth is underpinned by a booming digital economy, and a young, tech-savvy population that is driving growth across diverse sectors.

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Two nations, one joint vision for growth

Leaders of the Singapore and Malaysia government signed the JS-SEZ Agreement on 6 January 2025, marking a strong bilateral commitment to foster economic collaboration and attract global investments. Through the JS-SEZ, businesses will find it easier to invest, operate, and grow across both countries, allowing them to leverage this dynamic hub to serve regional and global customers. 

Spanning more than 3,500km2 (more than four times the size of Singapore), the JS-SEZ has 9 zones for investments across 11 sectors. These are: Business Services, Digital Economy, Education, Energy, Financial Services, Food Security, Green Economy, Health, Logistics, Manufacturing, Tourism.

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Unlocking growth opportunities through Singapore + twinning model

The JS-SEZ allows businesses to benefit from the best of both worlds through integrated operations across two complementary and well-connected locations. 

Singapore is a trusted base for global and regional headquarters, R&D, and innovation. Businesses benefit from its business-friendly environment, global connectivity, world-class talent, and vibrant ecosystem. 

Johor offers abundant resources, a skilled and cost-competitive workforce, and a growing industrial base. This creates opportunities for large-scale manufacturing, logistics and other operations that demand scalability. 

Read about how South Korean MNC SPC’s Paris Baguette has tapped the complementary advantages of Singapore and Johor.

Read about the Singapore companies with twinning operations in Johor.

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Build integrated supply chains

The JS-SEZ helps businesses strengthen operations and expand across Southeast Asia. It enables:

  • New to Southeast Asia entrants to optimise their operations across Singapore and Johor to better capture the region's growth
  • Singapore-based firms to extend operations into Johor, creating an integrated and connected supply chain
  • Regional distribution and logistics players to establish facilities for cost effective stockpiling and warehousing
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Enhanced Cross-border Connectivity

Improvements underway are making it easier and faster to move people and goods across Singapore and Johor:
  • The Rapid Transit System (RTS) linking Singapore and Johor will boost mobility by the end of 2026
  • Passport-free QR clearance has been introduced at land checkpoints
  • Streamlined customs processes now require only a single transshipment permit instead of two – cutting processing time by half and saving S$40 per permit application
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Supporting companies on administrative and business expansion matters

To accelerate investment, Singapore established a JS-SEZ Project Office (PO) in April 2025 to help Singapore-based companies expand into Johor. The joint Project Office brings together the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI), the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), and Enterprise Singapore to provide coordinated support for businesses. Industry associations such as the Singapore Business Federation (SBF) and Singapore Manufacturing Federation (SMF) provide sector-specific advisory services, while foreign business chambers in Singapore can also provide connections for companies expanding into the JS-SEZ.

The Malaysian government has also launched the Invest Malaysia Facilitation Centre-Johor (IMFC-J) in Johor. Operational since February 2025, the IMFC-J is a one-stop centre to fast-track permits and approvals in the JS-SEZ.

Night view of Marina Bay Sands and the ArtScience Museum in Singapore, illuminated against the evening sky, representing Singapore’s vibrant and business-friendly environment.

Incentives and Support

Singapore offers a comprehensive suite of incentives to support businesses at every stage of their growth journey. These include tax incentives, tax credits, and grants that help companies reduce costs, accelerate innovation, and scale more effectively. Learn more about how EDB supports businesses.

For businesses looking to expand and adopt the twinning model across Singapore and Johor, Singapore offers tailored support for companies to scale operations, set up new functions, or optimise the spread of activities.

Latest News

The Johor-Singapore SEZ – What businesses need to know

The Johor-Singapore SEZ – What businesses need to know

Singapore and Malaysia are working together to help businesses grow in Asia and strengthen supply chain resilience. Learn about their latest moves – from paperless cargo clearance to streamlined customs procedures.

Read more
Johor-Singapore SEZ a ‘big plus’ for firms to tap both sides’ different strengths: PM Wong

Johor-Singapore SEZ a ‘big plus’ for firms to tap both sides’ different strengths: PM Wong

Singapore-based businesses have shown “a lot of interest” in expanding to the upcoming special economic zone in Johor, says Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, as he wraps up a two-day visit to Malaysia for a leaders’ retreat with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

Read more
How the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone is shaping up to be different from past collaborations

How the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone is shaping up to be different from past collaborations

The greater potential for the special economic zone is not just about Singapore businesses going to Johor, but it is about both sides working together to attract new investment projects globally

Read more

Frequently Asked Questions

  • The JS-SEZ Agreement, signed on 7 January 2025, aims to strengthen the joint value proposition of Johor and Singapore to attract global investments by enhancing connectivity, facilitating people movement, and reinforcing the regional business ecosystem.
  • It enables companies to scale their businesses via “twinning” of operations, tapping on complementary strengths across both jurisdictions.
  • The JS-SEZ ‘zone’ covers a large part of Southern Johor including the Iskandar Development Region (Iskandar Puteri, Johor Bahru, Pasir Gudang, Kulai, and parts of Pontian) as well as Pengerang.
  • It spans nine flagship zones across over 3,500 km² which is more than four times the size of Singapore. These zones are focused on specific industries and supported by various industrial parks
  • The nine flagship zones are: (a) Johor Bahru, (b) Iskandar Puteri, (c) Tanjung Pelepas and Tanjung Bin, (d) Pasir Gudang (targeting Tanjung Langsat and Kong Kong areas), (e) Senai-Skudai, (f) Sedenak (including Kulai), (g) Forest City, (h) Desaru, and (i) Pengerang Integrated Petroleum Complex.
  • The JS-SEZ allows businesses to benefit from the complementarities between Johor and Singapore, as part of their holistic and integrated Southeast Asia strategy.
  • Companies can leverage on Singapore’s strengths as a global hub for manufacturing, technology, innovation, R&D, business and finance, and its extensive connectivity, while tapping on Johor’s resource availability in land and labour.
  • The JS-SEZ aims to create more economic opportunities and growth for both Singapore and Malaysia by
    • Strengthening regional integration and people-to-people ties by improving the flow of goods and people across our borders;
    • Leveraging the complementary strengths of Singapore and Johor to attract new global investments;
    • Creating new opportunities for Singapore-based businesses to expand their operations; and
    • Creating greater economic growth and job opportunities for Singaporeans and Malaysians.
  • Singapore offers a comprehensive range of incentives and facilitation programmes to support businesses at every stage of growth, including tax incentives, tax credits, and grants.
  • Learn more about Malaysia's incentives on the IMFC-J website.
  •  In general, products meeting certain criteria (e.g. manufactured in Singapore with minimum 25% of local content of the finished products in Singapore) may obtain an ordinary (non-preferential) certificate of origin from Singapore.
  • In addition, products that meet the Rules of Origin requirements under Singapore’s 28 FTAs are eligible for a preferential proof of origin, enabling them to enjoy tariff reduction or elimination when imported into the respective FTA partner.
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