Johor state government's, agencies' first JS-SEZ dialogue in Beijing draws 100 Chinese reps—OCBC

(From left) Johor state economic planning division secretary Haji Amirul Haffiz Ariff; Johor Invest Malaysia facilitation centre senior vice president Adny Jaffedon Ahmad; Johor Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida) director Mohamad Reduan Mohd Zabri; Johor state Islamic affairs committee chairman Haji Mohd Fared Mohd Khalid; Johor state investment, trade, consumer affairs and human resources committee chairman Lee Ting Han; Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi; OCBC Malaysia CEO Tan Chor Sen; Iskandar Regional Development Authority CEO Datuk Haji Mohd Noorazam Haji Osman; Mida Beijing director Wong Tiang Sing; and Invest Johor CEO Haji Natazha Hariss (Photo by OCBC)

PETALING JAYA (Dec 23): An investment dialogue held in Beijing recently to advance the promotion of the Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) attracted approximately 100 executives from Chinese companies representing sectors such as power, utilities, oil and gas, and telecommunications, including China Communication Construction and China Energy Engineering Corporation.

This visit marked Malaysia’s first formal engagement with Chinese stakeholders since the establishment of the economic zone, stated OCBC in a media release today.

OCBC, and Bank of Ningbo collaborated with the Johor state government, the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), Invest Johor, and the Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA) in leading discussions on business opportunities within JS-SEZ, as well as Johor’s economic priorities, and cross-border growth strategies. 

The delegation, led by Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, included senior state officials such as state investment, trade, consumer affairs and human resources committee chairman Lee Ting Han; IRDA CEO Datuk Noorazam Osman; deputy state secretary (development) Haji Ahmad Nazir Haji Mohd Nasir; Invest Johor CEO Haji Natazha Hariss; and MIda Johor director Mohamad Reduan Mohd Zabri.

Onn Hafiz highlighted the zone’s strategic position, noting its support for industries including technology, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, energy, logistics, and aerospace. He emphasised the zone’s potential to generate employment, facilitate knowledge transfer, and provide access to the wider Asean market. 

“It is a strategic platform built on cross-border connectivity, industrial depth, and a pro-business ecosystem, supporting high-value sectors such as technology, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, energy, logistics and aerospace.  

“The Johor state government remains fully committed to facilitating investments, and partnering closely [with investors] to ensure their success,” said Onn Hafiz.

OCBC Malaysia CEO Tan Chor Sen noted Johor’s strong investment performance, with RM91.1 billion in approved investments in the first nine months of 2025, and highlighted OCBC’s RM15 billion financing commitment since 2024 across multiple sectors. OCBC Malaysia, with a longstanding presence in Johor, and its associate Bank of Ningbo, which operates in major Chinese cities, co-hosted the event to support investment promotion. 

“By leveraging our robust presence in Greater China, Singapore, and Johor, along with the extensive ecosystem network and diverse financial capabilities of the OCBC Group, we are well positioned to provide comprehensive support to Chinese companies seeking to invest in JS-SEZ,” said Tan. Credits: Edgeprop.my - Published Dec 23rd 2025 - Myia S Nair