SINGAPORE: Singapore and Malaysia will set up a task force to study the setting up of a special economic zone in Johor and are one step closer to launching a new ferry service between Tuas in Singapore and Puteri Harbour in Johor.
Singapore’s National Development Minister Desmond Lee told reporters on Friday (Jul 14) that both Singapore and Malaysia welcome the idea of a special economic zone as it will bring “a lot of benefits” to people in Singapore, Malaysia and the Malaysian state of Johor.
“Not just in enhancing the economy and providing a tremendous value proposition that builds on the strengths and attractiveness of both Johor and Singapore,” he said on the sidelines of the 16th meeting of the Malaysia-Singapore Joint Ministerial Committee for Iskandar Malaysia (JMCIM).
“But it will bring tangible benefits in terms of jobs, livelihoods and better lives for both people living in Johor and Singapore.”
The JMCIM noted that the special economic zone will help drive sustainable growth, develop human capital, and improve infrastructure and connectivity.
It will also build on Johor’s strong growth and significant investments in the region by Singapore, said JMCIM in a statement on Friday.
Johor recorded RM70.6 billion (US$15.6 billion) worth of foreign investments in 2022, across various sectors including electrical and electronics, medical equipment, food manufacturing and data centres.
The task force studying the special economic zone will give a progress update at the 10th Singapore-Malaysia Leaders’ Retreat, to be held in Singapore later this year.
It will be led by the Ministry of Trade & Industry from Singapore and Ministry of Economy from Malaysia, with the support of relevant government agencies from both countries.
The JMCIM has met regularly since it was set up in 2007 to review cooperation in the South Johor economic zone of Iskandar.
Last year, the committee said a transportation workgroup will study how to improve cross-border connectivity for pedestrians and cyclists and the feasibility of a new ferry service between Tuas and Puteri Harbour.
During an official visit to Singapore in February, Johor chief minister Onn Hafiz Ghazi had proposed this ferry service to ease congestion on the Tuas Second Link.
“Commercial operators in Singapore and Malaysia will be starting discussions to assess the commercial viability of a potential new ferry service between Puteri Harbour and Tuas,” JMCIM said.
It did not provide further details on where in Tuas the ferry would depart from.
The transportation workgroup has also agreed in principle to increase the frequency of the KTM Tebrau Shuttle, a train service that connects Woodlands and Johor, from 31 to 36 daily trips. The new schedule will commence once agencies on both sides work out further details.
Source from ChannelNewsAsia