Malaysia sweetens JS-SEZ package with fast-track manufacturing licence approval, multiple-entry visa
Country’s Strategic Co-Investment Fund will also have a new matching ratio of 1:1 versus an earlier 1:2
[SINGAPORE] Businesses and investors operating in the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) can look forward to a fresh suite of perks, Malaysia’s Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Tengku Zafrul Aziz revealed on Tuesday (Oct 14).
One, all manufacturing projects for non-sensitive industries within the zone’s identified economic sectors will be granted fast-track approval of the manufacturing licence within seven working days.
The no-objection letter from the state government will also be issued within the same period.
Qualifying projects will automatically receive Johor’s super-lane facilitation, said the minister, noting that this ensures coordinated priority handling across state and federal agencies under a single facilitation channel.
Separately, a multiple-entry visa, valid for up to 12 months, will be available to eligible foreign investors via the Xpats Gateway platform.
“It is designed to facilitate investors’ travel and engagement, particularly during project planning or site visits,” added the minister.
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Additionally, the Malaysian Investment Development Authority can proactively offer the investor pass directly to multinational companies and prospective investors in high-value sectors as well as those qualifying under the family office incentive.
“This reflects our commitment to reducing friction for high-impact investors, including those looking to anchor strategic investments within the JS-SEZ,” he said.
Tengku Zafrul also announced that Malaysia’s Strategic Co-Investment Fund will have a new matching ratio of 1:1 versus an earlier 1:2, and with an interest rate as low as 0.5 per cent.
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The fund, under the country’s New Industrial Master Plan 2030, will be leveraged as a key financing instrument for industrial growth in the zone. An additional RM200 million (S$61.5 million) was just allocated to it last week, as announced by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at the tabling of the nation’s Budget 2026.
“We want to enable SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) to scale up and go global, particularly in areas such as capacity expansion, tech adoption and sustainability,” said the minister. “This financing effort will complement the policy and infrastructure incentives being introduced under the JS-SEZ, ensuring a more holistic enabling framework.”
Lastly, on talent, Tengku Zafrul pointed out that the Malaysian government had earlier allocated RM650 million through the Skills Development Fund Corporation to support talent development in target sectors under the country’s new industrial road map.
“This initiative is expected to benefit roughly 25,000 trainees – particularly in sectors such as artificial intelligence, electric vehicles and semiconductors, all of which will also support the zone’s industrial ambitions,” he noted.
“A portion of this funding could be channelled towards talent development initiatives under the JS-SEZ; so Miti (Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry) will soon start working closely with (the) relevant agencies to tailor programmes that match industry needs and prepare our talent for cross-border, innovation-driven opportunities.”
The minister delivered the announcements at his keynote address at the second JS-SEZ joint investment forum held at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre on Tuesday. The first meeting took place in Johor Bahru in April. Hundreds of business leaders, investors, policymakers, and academics from the two countries attended.
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