How the Johor-Singapore economic zone divides its nine areas

The agreement links two economies across one border

Malaysia and Singapore exchanged the signed agreement in January 2025. The joint statement places the zone in the Iskandar Development Region and Pengerang. It lists 11 sectors for cooperation, including manufacturing, logistics, food security, the digital economy, tourism, energy and financial services. Source 3

Two of the nine areas have special designations

The Johor directory groups seven areas from Johor Bahru Waterfront through Desaru and Penawar. It identifies the Pengerang Integrated Petroleum Complex and the Forest City Special Financial Zone as special areas. The same directory tells investors to check the exact location, sector and activity when asking about incentives. Source 1

Two offices help with different parts of an expansion

Singapore’s Economic Development Board says its project office was set up in April 2025 to support Singapore-based firms. Invest Malaysia Facilitation Centre Johor provides a point of contact for investment facilitation on the Malaysian side. A company planning activity in both locations may need to address requirements in each jurisdiction. Source 2 Source 1

A customs change applies to a specific kind of movement

Singapore’s trade ministry says a single permit replaced two from 1 January 2025 for land intermodal transshipment with Singapore Customs. The agreement also describes phased work on clearance capacity and paperless goods processes. The single-permit change concerns the named transshipment procedure. Source 3

The project counts are targets

The joint statement calls for 50 projects in the first five years and a cumulative 100 in the first decade, with an aim of creating 20,000 skilled job opportunities. Those figures describe the governments’ ambition at signing. The area table describes geography and how the facilitation centre groups it. Source 3 Source 1