In collaboration with the Johor State Government, the roundtable was organised to promote the JS-SEZ and spotlight Johor’s rising position as a key regional investment hub. The session brought together approximately 30 Chinese corporate delegates and featured a high-level delegation from Johor, including YAB Dato’ Onn Hafiz Bin Ghazi, Menteri Besar of Johor; YB Lee Ting Han, Chairman of the State Investment Committee; Tuan Haji Natazha Bin Hariss, Chief Executive of Invest Johor; and Mohd Shahafeez Shaharis, Consul General of Malaysia in Shanghai.

The JS-SEZ, formalised through a bilateral agreement between Malaysia and Singapore in January 2025, has already demonstrated strong early momentum. In his keynote address, YAB Dato’ Onn Hafiz highlighted that within just one year of its inception, Johor recorded approximately RM110 billion in approved investments – the highest in Malaysia’s history – with a significant proportion originating from China.

To date, AmBank has approved approximately RM2.0 billion in financing for new FDIs, underscoring its active role in supporting the state’s economic transformation and investment inflows.

Christopher Yap, Managing Director, Business Banking, AmBank Group said, “AmBank remains committed to facilitating foreign direct investment into Malaysia by providing end-to-end financial solutions tailored to the needs of international investors. The Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone represents a transformative opportunity for regional growth, and we are proud to support this initiative by connecting global investors with the right financial infrastructure, insights and partnerships to succeed.”

Yang Berhormat Tuan Lee Ting Han said “The Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone represents a new chapter in regional collaboration, where Johor and Singapore work together to create a more seamless and competitive investment ecosystem. Our presence here in Shanghai reflects Johor’s strong commitment to engaging global investors, particularly from China, who have played an increasingly important role in our growth story. Financial institutions, particularly Malaysian-based institutions such as AmBank, are key partners in this journey. Their ability to provide tailored financing solutions and on-the-ground support gives investors the confidence to establish and expand operations in Johor.

Together, through strong public–private collaboration, we are building not just an investment destination, but a sustainable and resilient economic hub for the region.”