Both countries step up cooperation in areas like higher education, carbon credits

Singapore and Malaysia stepped up bilateral cooperation during the 11th Malaysia-Singapore Leaders' Retreat held in Putrajaya, Malaysia.

- Chin Soo Fang

Both exchanged an agreement on the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) on Jan 7. At the same time, there were six memorandums of understanding (MOUs) and a letter of intent. The first four were inked on Jan 6, with the rest signed earlier.

JOHOR-SINGAPORE SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE AGREEMENT

The JS-SEZ, an integrated zone for business and investment, will encompass the Iskandar Development Region and Pengerang.

The agreement aims to strengthen the value proposition of Johor and Singapore to compete for global investments together by improving cross-border connectivity for goods between both sides, enabling freer movement of people, and boosting the business ecosystem within the region.

It was signed by Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong, who is also Minister for Trade and Industry, and Malaysian Minister of Economy Rafizi Ramli. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim witnessed the exchange.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Institutes of higher learning will work together more closely under this MOU. Plans include staff and student exchanges, exchange of information and experiences, staff training programmes, exchange of scholarships, and the organisation of joint activities and programmes.