Celia Karl’s Post

Businesses are optimistic about closer #Singapore-#Malaysia collaboration, including the upcoming Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ). The JS-SEZ will allow companies to tap on the complementary advantages of two neighbouring economies, as they expand to capture growth opportunities across Southeast Asia. After a productive meeting between the Singapore and Malaysian Prime Ministers in KL on Wednesday, Trade and Industry Ministers from both sides co-chaired their second annual ministerial dialogue in Singapore. Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong and Malaysia’s Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz also met with company executives to get feedback on how the JS-SEZ could best serve business needs. Strengthening #supplychain resilience will be a focus area for both Singapore and Malaysia, with a new workgroup set up to promote stronger cooperation on the issues of goods and people flows across borders, ahead of the next global disruption. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to open and free trade, and will continue to deepen digital and green economy cooperation – including through digitalising cross-border trade activities and supporting businesses in their sustainability push. As investment promotion agencies for their respective countries, EDB and Malaysian Investment Development Authority will continue their partnership to support Singapore and Malaysia’s joint goals to take their economic collaboration to the next level. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gkQv3hRj Vinothan Tulisinathzan | MIDA Singapore

Our team dived deep - literally - into Iskandar and Johor Bahru, to see the transformations taking place. Data centres are sprouting and spots already spoken for. The RTS and a new urban centre are taking shape. Renewable energy is increasingly powering this change. The proposed area of the SEZ covers 3,505 sq km - nearly five times the size of Singapore. In this eye-opening thematic, Brian Lee Shun Rong explains the benefits in store for Johor and Singapore, when bottlenecks are eased. #jssez #Johor https://lnkd.in/gkjxTnMM

Exploring business opportunities in Indonesia can provide access to a rapidly growing market, strategic regional advantages, and a wealth of opportunities across diverse sectors. If you are looking at growing market potential;  Indonesia is the fourth most populous country in the world, offering a vast and growing consumer base. Indonesia has a diverse economy with opportunities in various sectors, including manufacturing, digital technology, consumer goods, and natural resources. Singapore and Indonesia have strong economic ties, with numerous Singaporean companies already successfully operating in Indonesia. Singapore Malay Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SMCCI) will be organising a Business Mission to Jakarta on the 4th to 6th November 2024. One of the key roles of a chamber like SMCCI, is to provide access for business owners to gain market understanding, regulatory knowledge, cultural adaptation and access to the right people and resource who can help assess whether you are ready to commit to the market, ensuring that your business is equipped to handle the challenges and opportunities. A business mission serves as a critical preparatory step before fully committing to opening a business overseas. If you would like to know more, please submit your interest via: fpls.in/smcciindobm2024 Azhar Othman Dainial Lim Feroz Ismail Abdul Latip Isnin Khairi Hussain Muhammad 'Aidil Rausi

The proposed Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (SEZ) has been billed as a potential “game changer,” particularly for Johor. There is strong impetus from both Malaysia and Singapore to make the SEZ a success, as greater economic integration, with freer movement of people, goods and capital, will open up fresh opportunities that tie in with long-term policy goals. Maybank IB in its analytical report said it has identified 6 reasons why this time it could be different and how the SEZ could spur the flow of trade, labor, investments and energy. Lets look at the highlights. Six Catalysts for Success

Greater Johor Bahru must not be seen as the periphery of Peninsula Malaysia but rather as the nation’s second economic capital, just like Melbourne to Australia, Osaka to Japan, and Busan to Korea. Before Independence, cities like Penang and Ipoh were equally as vibrant as Kuala Lumpur while the state of Johor was very rich when compared to other states in the Peninsula. Independence brought with it a Kuala Lumpur-centric development model with single party rule by a very dominant prime ministerial system. The federal political and bureaucratic leadership will have to embrace the idea that the growth of the Greater Johor Bahru, Sarawak, or Penang-Kulim semiconductor cluster, is good for the nation, and that these regions, and their state governments, should be given more devolved powers to determine outcomes on the ground. The new Johor prosperity will have to be built upon a new set of assumptions, with clear understanding of what the new world order looks like. Modern Johor, with its experiences in navigating global shifts since the founding of Johor Bahru in 1858, will rise again in the new time, just like it did previously.

1. Is Singapore leveraging its neighbors merely as low-cost production hubs while retaining the high-value aspects of the business? 2. How sustainable is the SG+ model for long-term growth, and what risks might it pose to the economies of Johor, Batam, Bintan, and Karimun? 3. Are the benefits of this strategy evenly distributed, or does Singapore reap the most significant rewards at the expense of its neighboring regions? 4. What impact does this model have on local employment and labor conditions in the partnered regions? 5. How might the reliance on this interconnected manufacturing strategy affect Singapore and its partners during global economic disruptions? 6. Could this model potentially lead to increased economic dependencies, making the neighboring regions vulnerable to Singapore's economic policies and decisions? 7. What are the environmental implications of expanding production capacities in Johor, Batam, Bintan, and Karimun as part of the SG+ model? These questions encourage a deeper analysis of the economic, social, and environmental impacts of the SG+ model beyond the surface-level benefits outlined in the poster.

#WinningWednesdays: How does Malaysia blend culture, cuisine and connection in its #SoftPower? 🌏 Read on to find out more about how Malaysia performed in Brand Finance’s Global Soft Power Index 2024 (https://lnkd.in/gGT5w5Yi). Soft Power is defined as a nation’s ability to influence the preferences and behaviours of various actors in the international arena (states, corporations, communities, publics, etc.) through attraction and persuasion rather than coercion. Brand Finance publishes its Global Soft Power Index (GSPI) based on a survey of more than 170,000 respondents from over 100 countries to gather data on global perceptions of all 193 member states of the #UnitedNations. Each nation is scored across 55 different metrics to arrive at an overall score out of 100 and ranked in order from 1st to 193rd. Highlights of Malaysia’s GSPI results: 1. International Relations 🤝 Malaysia moved up to the 40th place for the International Relations pillar in the Index as the country continues to strengthen its reputation as a progressive global player through growing influence and success in fostering positive bilateral relations with key partners. The significant 17-rank rise this year (Malaysia ranked 57th in 2023) emerged because of marked improvements for the pillar attributes of ‘influential in diplomatic circles’, ‘good relations with other countries’ and ‘helpful to countries in need’ as demonstrated by Malaysia’s extensive relief assistance to people affected by natural disasters and conflicts across Asia and the Middle East. 2. People & Values 🫶 The #ASEAN nation also recorded another notable jump by 17 ranks to the 39th place worldwide for the People & Values pillar, particularly scoring well for the attributes of ‘friendly’, ‘fun’, ‘trustworthy’ and ‘tolerant and inclusive’, which bodes well for its ambition of attracting 27.3 million foreign tourists in 2024. 3. Culture & Heritage 🎭 Often regarded as a vibrant multi-cultural destination, Malaysia moved up to the 43rd rank for the Index’s Culture & Heritage pillar driven by strong performance for the attributes ‘influential in arts and entertainment’ as well as ‘food the world loves’, with survey respondents from Singapore, Vietnam and Japan most notably demonstrating their strong affinity to cuisines from the nation. #Malaysia #NationBranding #BrandStrategy

The MOU signed; Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) emerges not just as a game-changer but as a “Transformative Platform” demanding a profound shift in mindset from entrepreneurs and industry captains. In my capacity as a Data Centre advisory and consulting professional in the Johor, Malaysia, and Singapore region, my role is centered on highlighting the transformative potential inherent in embracing this evolving economic landscape. JS-SEZ invites a mind-changer approach, urging entrepreneurs to see it beyond a mere policy or game-changer. The collaborative vision becomes paramount, shifting from a competitive landscape to one where Johor and Singapore form integral parts of an interconnected economic ecosystem. This approach fosters a seamless exchange of talent, capital, and innovation, unlocking new dimensions of economic collaboration. Cross-border talent mobility is not just about the movement of professionals; it's a mind-changer concept, fostering a dynamic exchange of ideas. Picture a scenario where expertise from both regions converges, transcending borders to fuel creativity and innovation. This collaborative spirit goes beyond the traditional mindset of business operations confined within national boundaries. Ecosystem thinking becomes a cornerstone of success within JS-SEZ. It encourages entrepreneurs to shift from individual ventures to holistic approaches, identifying synergies along the value chain. This perspective prompts collaboration on shared projects (… Joint Ventures) that benefit both regions, creating an integrated and mutually beneficial economic landscape. In summary, JS-SEZ beckons a mind-changer approach, urging entrepreneurs to see beyond traditional perspectives. The true spirit of JS-SEZ lies not just in being a game-changer or policy but in fostering a collaborative vision, dynamic talent mobility, ecosystem thinking, and a mindset that embraces innovation and adaptability. This shift in mindset is the key to unlocking the true potential and prosperity of JS-SEZ for Johor, Singapore, and beyond. #johor #johorbahru #singapore #malaysia #SpecialEconomicZone #sez #datacenter https://lnkd.in/g3w9dugz

Malaysia's Johor state is proposing a special economic zone with Singapore, aiming to transform into the "Shenzhen of Southeast Asia." This ambitious plan includes the economic and petrochemical hubs of Iskandar Malaysia and Pengerang, covering 3,505 square kilometers—nearly twice the size of China's Shenzhen. In my view, this initiative holds tremendous potential: ✔️Strategic Collaboration: This zone can significantly boost economic integration between Malaysia and Singapore. ✔️Diverse Sectors: With 16 proposed sectors, including manufacturing, healthcare, and tourism, this can drive diversified economic growth. ✔️Economic Transformation: This collaboration could position Johor as a major economic powerhouse in Southeast Asia, attracting global businesses and creating numerous job opportunities. For individual investors, the proposed Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (SEZ) presents several compelling investment opportunities: ✔️Real Estate Investment: With the development of Iskandar Malaysia and Pengerang, there will likely be increased demand for residential, commercial, and industrial properties. Investors can capitalize on rising property values and rental incomes in these rapidly developing areas. ✔️Tourism and Hospitality: With tourism being a key sector, there will be a surge in demand for hotels, resorts, and related services. Investors can explore opportunities in hospitality stocks or real estate catering to the tourism industry. ✔️Manufacturing and Industrial Ventures: The SEZ's focus on manufacturing will attract various industrial enterprises. Investors can consider investing in manufacturing companies, industrial parks, or infrastructure projects that support these activities. By tapping into these diverse sectors, individual investors can diversify their portfolios and potentially benefit from the economic transformation driven by the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone. #EconomicGrowth #Johor #Singapore #Investment #ASEAN #spwenture #wegroup

Today, I had the honor of attending a roundtable discussion hosted by The Economic Club of Kuala Lumpur at Bursa Malaysia, where we delved into the Malaysian economic outlook with a particular focus on subsidy rationalization. The presence of esteemed leaders and experts, including Datuk Seri Iqbal Rawther, Chairman of ECKL; Tan Sri Wahid Omar, Chairman of Bursa Malaysia; and Dr. Apurva Sanghi, World Bank Lead Economist for Malaysia, enriched our discussions with invaluable perspectives. The consensus among us was clear: Malaysia is on the right path with its long-term economic strategies. However, we also acknowledge the pressing need for more immediate actions to address the economic anxieties facing our nation today. This dialogue underscored the importance of collaborative efforts between the government, industry leaders, and economic experts to foster a resilient and sustainable economic environment. Engaging in these discussions is not only enlightening but also inspires hope and determination toward contributing effectively to our nation's economic progress. I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of such a meaningful exchange and look forward to contributing further to Malaysia's economic resilience and growth. #EconomicOutlook #Malaysia #SubsidyRationalization