The new Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone

2024 opens in ASEAN with the signing of a first-of-its-kind agreement that lays the foundation for unprecedented collaboration between Singapore and Malaysia. On January 11th, Singaporean Prime Minister, Lee Hsien Loong, met with Malaysian Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim, to transform the idea of a Special Economic Zone between Johor and Singapore (JSSEZ) into a reality.

At the same time, the two countries are proceeding with the construction of the RTS Link, a rapid rail connection. The service will cover a route of approximately 4km with two stations, one located in Bukit Chagar, Johor Bahru, Malaysia and one in Woodlands, Singapore.

Thanks to these two projects, the movement of both people and goods will become much simpler and faster.  Even the revolutionary use of a QR-Code instead of a passport will be implemented, to minimize waiting times at the border as much as possible.

This ambitious project surely will face many challenges; however the two countries are collaborating as much as possible to ensure that everything will run smoothly, hoping that they will set an unprecedent example of collaboration between countries with great benefits for everyone.