Implications of the new office

The new joint project office is a welcome development as it complements Malaysia’s Invest Malaysia Facilitation Centre-Johor (IMFC-J), which offers business consultation services for companies keen on investing in the JSSEZ (see our previous client alert). The two offices are expected to coordinate closely to engage investors from Singapore, Malaysia and beyond.

The new joint project office will help investors navigate a plethora of queries before committing to invest. The office is intended to serve as a useful one-stop shop for investors to raise their queries and have any outstanding queries consolidated for the IMFC-J’s assistance. This is critical as various initiatives and incentives for the JSSEZ are still taking shape and could be key in investors’ decision-making process.

As economic uncertainties and trade protectionism increase in the world, the establishment of the joint project office is timely. It will help facilitate the growth of regional trade and investment as multinational companies establish a regional base for their research and manufacturing in the JSSEZ.

Conclusion

Investors considering expanding or relocating their business should engage with the joint project office early to map out regulatory pathways and available incentives for their projects.

Reed Smith LLP is licensed to operate as a foreign law practice in Singapore under the name and style Reed Smith Pte Ltd (hereafter collectively, "Reed Smith"). Where advice on Singapore law is required, we will refer the matter to and work with Reed Smith's Formal Law Alliance partner in Singapore, Resource Law LLC, where necessary.

Client Alert 2025-131