The Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone
The Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) is a strategic initiative between Singapore and Malaysia to strengthen bilateral economic cooperation. Established through an Agreement signed in January 2025 between the Governments of Malaysia and Singapore, the JS-SEZ aims to do the following:
- Improve cross-border connectivity
- Enable freer movement of people
- Strengthen the regional business ecosystem
The Vision: A Seamless Economic Corridor
Spanning over 3,500km², the JS-SEZ has nine dedicated zones for investments across 11 sectors: Business Services, Digital Economy, Education, Energy, Financial Services, Food Security, Green Economy, Healthcare, Logistics, Manufacturing, Tourism.
Source: Enterprise Singapore
Strategic Advantages for Manufacturers
In an era of shifting global supply chains and geopolitical evolution, the JS-SEZ offers a compelling value proposition for Singapore-based companies:
- Complementary Strengths: Combine Singapore’s world-class innovation and financial ecosystem with Johor’s robust production capacity and land resources.
- Operational Resilience: Diversify operations and build more agile supply chains within a single, integrated corridor.
- Enhanced Competitiveness: Scale regional growth by leveraging optimised costs and proximity to major shipping routes.
How SMF Supports Your Expansion
Effective 1 July 2025, Enterprise Singapore has appointed the SMF as the Program Manager for outreach and business facilitation in the JS-SEZ. In the immediate term, SMF keeps businesses updated on JS-SEZ incentives and opportunities, building awareness and interest among Singapore-based companies.​ In the mid to long-term, we identify and develop a pipeline of interested companies, and facilitate their successful ventures into the JS-SEZ.
As the leading national federation representing Singapore’s manufacturing sector, SMF is your primary partner in navigating the JS-SEZ landscape.
We provide our members with:
- Strategic Guidance: Navigating regulatory frameworks and local requirements.
- Partnership Building: Facilitating connections with key stakeholders in Johor and Singapore.
- Actionable Intelligence: Providing access to the latest data and investment insights.
- Our Commitment: We believe that with the right support, Singapore’s manufacturers are well positioned to thrive in this new chapter of regional integration.
Some of SMF’s Past Events
Manufacturing Day Summit 2026
Launch of JS-SEZ Playbook for Manufacturers by Minister of State Gan Siow Huang, SMF President Lennon Tan, and Playbook Partners on 30 Jan 2026
From Vision to Factory Floor: Making JS-SEZ Work Panel Discussion
Business Missions
Mission to JS-SEZ which included presentations by Invest Malaysia Facilitation Center-Johor, EcoWorld, Talent Corp, Olive Tree, FOZL and visits to UPS Logistics Centre, EcoWorld, and more on 21 Nov
Factory Visit to GD Precision to understand the operating realities in the JS-SEZ in Jan 2026
Seminars
Going Cross-Border: How to Set Up, Scale, Succeed in the JS-SEZ Seminar with Enterprise Singapore, Malaysia Investment Development Authority, UOB, KPMG, Chin Yuan Metal on 6 Nov 2025
JS-SEZ Luncheon hosted by the Johor Economic, Tourism, and Cultural Office Singapore (JETCO) bringing together Singapore-based companies and key Johor government stakeholders on 23 Apr 2026
Close Door Event
JS-SEZ Luncheon hosted by the Johor Economic, Tourism, and Cultural Office Singapore (JETCO) bringing together Singapore-based companies and key Johor government stakeholders on 23 Apr 2026
Find out more about our upcoming events here
Resources to Get Started
1. JS-SEZ Playbook for Manufacturers: A Guide to Setting Up and Operating in Johor
This playbook is the first comprehensive resource specifically designed to guide manufacturers interested in operating within the JS-SEZ. Drawing on SMF’s on-the-ground experience, with contributions from Enterprise Singapore, Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), DXC Technology, EY, and UOB, the playbook consolidates key considerations into a structured, end-to-end operating guide, covering critical factors at each stage of setup.
Based on real-world experience supporting companies on the ground, the playbook consolidates key considerations into a clear and actionable framework. At its core is the SETUP Framework, which guides companies through the essential stages of expansion — from selecting the right zone and understanding incentives, to meeting legal requirements, leveraging bilateral support, and preparing talent and supply chains.
Download it here: https://forms.office.com/r/frF8gHWJ42
2. AI Chatbot
If you have questions about the JS-SEZ, try asking our AI chatbot on the bottom right corner. It is a domain-specific assistant trained on JS-SEZ materials curated by SMF and other verified sources, with regularly updated content, users have timely access to the latest regulatory changes, incentives, ecosystem developments, and practical implementation pathways. Over time, it will provide increasingly personalised guidance, helping companies navigate opportunities most relevant to their specific sector, scale, or internationalisation ambition.
If you would like to kickstart your JS-SEZ journey, contact the SMF Internationalisation team at internationalization@smfederation.org.sg