ISKANDAR PUTERI: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is expected to announce the incentive package for Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) during the upcoming Budget 2025, says Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi (pic).
“In line with the objective of implementation of JS-SEZ that will offer the best investment ecosystem in the region, God willing, we will also hear the announcement of the incentive package that will be offered to investors through Budget 2025 that will be announced by Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, on Oct 18,” he said.
The Johor Mentri Besar said that although the agreement document will only be finalised during the leaders’ retreat later this year, the leadership of both state and federal governments have taken proactive measures to hold meetings and engagement sessions with investors, industry players and stakeholders.
“In fact, we have also made appearances on various platforms to present our views and give confidence to investors regarding the JS-SEZ development plan and vision,” he added.
Onn Hafiz added the implementation of JS-SEZ would bring various opportunities to the locals with the state positioning itself as the gateway to Asean. Its close relationship with Singapore also makes Johor a strategic location to attract foreign investments and create more high-income job opportunities.
“JS-SEZ will also be a platform to stimulate digital economic growth, technological innovation and sustainable green sector development.
“I am pleased to share that as a result of the hard work of various ministries and agencies at federal and state levels as well as our counterparts in Singapore, the agreement document is now in the process of being finalised,” he said.
Onn Hafiz said this in his reply to Fauziah Misri (BN-Penawar), Datuk Jefridin Atan (BN-Kukup), Nazri Abdul Rahman (PH-Simpang Jeram) and Ng Yak Howe (PH-Bentayan) during the state assembly meeting held at Bangunan Sultan Ismail in Kota Iskandar here on Thursday (Oct 3).
He added after the JS-SEZ memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed, they were aiming for the agreement document to be signed during the annual leaders retreat between Malaysia and Singapore governments, which is scheduled for Dec 8.
Onn Hafiz also said that one of the important global developments that would give an impact towards the implementation of JS-SEZ was Malaysia’s intention of joining the intergovernmental organisation BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa).
He added that the bloc, which also comprises other countries such as Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia and United Arab Emirates (UAE), now represents a rapidly growing economic power at the global level.
Onn Hafiz said his administration very much welcomes and supports Putrajaya’s desire to join BRICS, which would certainly bring greater investment and trade potential to Johor through JS-SEZ.
