Johor Singapore SEZ offers chance to strengthen supply chains amid tariff uncertainty DPM Gan

JOHOR BAHRU – The Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) presents an opportunity for businesses to strengthen their supply chains amid uncertainty caused by tariffs, said Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong.

Mr Gan, who is also Minister for Trade and Industry, was delivering his keynote address at a business and investment forum in Malaysia’s southern state of Johor on April 21, an event he described as “both important and timely” amid rising protectionism globally.

He noted that escalating tensions between the US and China have led to a volley of tit-for-tat tariffs, effectively choking off trade between the world’s two largest economies.

These developments will have significant implications on businesses in Singapore and Malaysia, many of which are embedded within the production and supply chains of both the US and China.

A project like the JS-SEZ, though, demonstrates how like-minded countries can work with each other to overcome challenges facing them, he said.

“The JS-SEZ presents an opportunity for businesses to explore how to ‘strengthen (their) supply chains’, so that they can better respond to the volatilities and continue to grow their businesses,” he said.

The JS-SEZ aims to streamline cross-border trade and investment in key sectors such as advanced manufacturing, logistics, technology and the digital economy.

The zone, encompassing 3,571 sq km of land across southern Johor, will offer simplified Customs clearance, harmonised regulations, improved connectivity for both people and goods, and tax incentives for companies there.

“The JS-SEZ builds on the strong, longstanding economic partnership between Malaysia and Singapore to open a new avenue, a new frontier of opportunities for businesses,” Mr Gan said.

This includes companies already in Singapore looking to expand their capacity in the JS-SEZ, those that wish to develop new capabilities in the zone and those choosing to “twin their presence” in