He added that the co-investment fund also aims to enable these SMEs to scale up and go global, especially in areas such as capacity expansion, tech adoption and sustainability.
“This financing effort will complement the policy and infrastructure incentives being introduced under the Johor-Singapore SEZ, ensuring a more holistic enabling framework,” he said.
Under Malaysia’s New Industrial Master Plan (NIMP) 2020, the co-investment fund will become a “key financing instrument” for industrial growth in the zone, Mr Zafrul said.
Malaysia’s Budget 2026 has also allocated RM650 million through the Skills Development Fund Corporation to support talent development for sectors targeted under the NIMP 2020, he said.
It is expected to benefit roughly 25,000 trainees in sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI), electric vehicles and semiconductors, which support the JS-SEZ’s ambitions, he said.
The initiatives add to existing schemes.
Johor introduced an attractive tax incentive package and set up the Invest Malaysia Facilitation Centre in Johor in February this year to support investors through a streamlined, one-stop platform. This reduces bureaucracy by not having to engage with multiple agencies across different locations.
Since April, eligible foreign investors – new, existing and potential – have been able to get a multiple entry visa valid for up to 12 months, under the Investor Pass initiative led by the Malaysia Investment Development Authority.
The authority can “proactively offer the Investor Pass directly to multinational companies and prospective investors in high-value sectors”, added Mr Zafrul.
This, he said, reflects Malaysia’s commitment to “reducing friction for high-impact investors”, including those in the JS-SEZ.