ISKANDAR PUTERI: Seamless mobility and transportation connectivity, is vital to ensure the recently minted Forest City Special Financial Zone (SFZ) within the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) will transform the economic landscape.

Transportation connectivity plays a crucial role for international business since it allows business trips, meetings, and commercial activity to occur regularly and efficiently.

Economist Lee Heng Guie projected SFZ will transform the economic landscape, by attracting both foreign direct investment (FDI) and domestic direct investment (DDI).

However, there is a need to grow the flow of people and goods across the border and back, to strengthen the business ecosystem and bolster economic growth in Johor, he said.

Lee, who has 30 years of professional experience in economics, said with effective execution, the collaborations are expected to strategically position Johor as an alternative investment hub, reigniting economic activity in the state.

"Working together with Singapore is a brilliant move. The synergy is strategic, complementary, and mutually beneficial for both parties," he said.

However, Lee said seamless mobility and transportation connectivity is crucial to realise the SFZ and SEZ agendas

"Railways play a crucial role in transport systems contributing to the economic growth. The railways are a significant force for the changing patterns of human mobility."

Lee sid advances in transportation have spurred global economic growth by reducing travel time and increasing the number of passengers.

The service is the best option to support the economic growth of Malaysia and Johor especially the SFZ initiatives in Forest City and also the JS-SEZ.

The Singapore Business Federation reported that 93 per cent of Singaporean businesses see Johor as an attractive investment destination, with 50 per cent currently operating in the state.

Lee said the SEZ and SFZ foundation facilities development must be well executed to achieve the desired impact.

Meanwhile, Ho Chin Soon Research chief executive officer Ishmael Ho said efficient transportation is vital for SFZ and the broader JS-SEZ initiatives to be successful.

Ho is a local real estate consulting company which has been involved in the planning of cities in Malaysia for the past 36 years, including in Kuala Lumpur and Penang.

He said with efficient transportation, Johor's goal of becoming a developed state by 2030 could be realised.

Ho said proposed a ferry route from Forest City to Tuas in Singapore, in order to improve the transportation convenience of the special zone and effectively alleviate the growing pressure on existing customs clearance methods.

He also suggested that multiple ferry routes between Johor and Singapore to be established which is feasible given Johor's geographical advantages.

A subject matter expert seminar was held on Thursday for them to share their observation and research's finding.

The seminar organised by Forest City is crucial for business players to explore SFZ & JS-SEZ opportunities, to understand its direction, potential businesses as well as talent attraction and retention.

Over 800 business players from Kuala Lumpur, Johor, Penang and Singapore attended the seminar.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/08/1093787/ferry-route-tuas-singapore-proposed-forest-city-subject-matter-expert