Malaysia, Singapore play up joint economic zone amid US tariff worries

Johor's chief minister proposes industrial park to draw investment from RCEP peers

20250423 Malaysian Trade Minister Zafrul Aziz

Zafrul Aziz, Malaysia's trade minister, speaks at the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone Joint Business and Investment Forum, in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, on April 21. (Photo courtesy of Malaysia Investment Development Authority)

NORMAN GOH

April 24, 2025 10:48 JST

JOHOR BAHRU, Malaysia -- Malaysia and Singapore are accelerating the rollout of their new joint special economic zone in a bid to hedge against rising global trade uncertainty under U.S. President Donald Trump's administration.

Malaysia's Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Zafrul Aziz said earlier this week that the need for the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) and the economic interlinkage between the two Southeast Asian neighbors are now more crucial than before.