Panel DiscussionJohor Focus: Building the Future with JS-SEZ

Traditionally, foreign investment has been associated with large factories and mass job creation. However, the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) represents a shift in focus, aiming to attract companies committed to sustainable urban growth.

Idzham Mohd Hashim, President and CEO of Iskandar Investment Berhad (IIB), emphasized that the JS-SEZ is poised to be a catalyst for advancing the digital and green economy, while developing high value-added talent. The zone’s objective extends beyond drawing investment; it seeks to drive meaningful transformation across the region.

The JS-SEZ will be anchored by nine flagship zones, including the Johor Bahru city center and Iskandar Puteri. Its strategic investment targets span 11 priority sectors: manufacturing, logistics, food security, tourism, energy, digital economy, green economy, financial services, business services, education, and healthcare.

Mohd Noorazam Osman, Chief Executive of the Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA), shared his long-term vision for regional development. “It is crucial that we enhance the ease of movement for people, goods, and services. That’s why we are continuously working on forward-looking policy frameworks to support that goal,” he noted.