The Business Times
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THINKING ALOUD

Special Economic Zones: One size doesn’t fit all

A proposed SEZ between Sarawak and Brunei has sparked discussions of cross-border collaboration, but it may be a long shot given the economic realities 

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Anita Gabriel

Anita Gabriel

Published Thu, Feb 27, 2025 · 05:00 AM
    • Sarawak is sitting on a treasure trove of natural resources – timber, oil and hydropower.
    • Sarawak is sitting on a treasure trove of natural resources – timber, oil and hydropower. PHOTO: BLOOMBERG

    SPECIAL economic zones (SEZs), especially those uniting two sovereign nations, are quickly becoming the talk of the town.

    From buzzing tech ecosystems to manufacturing powerhouses, SEZs are now the go-to agenda to turbocharge economic growth, spawn top-tier jobs and lure foreign dollars.

    Malaysia’s southern state of Johor and Singapore – two regional powerhouses with a shared history and distinct yet complementary strengths – recently launched an SEZ to harness the power of their proximity, long present but never fully nor formally tapped (till now, that is) to galvanise cross-border economic activity.

    Special Economic Zone (SEZ)MalaysiaSarawakBrunei

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