Tokens of appreciation: Chan (left) presenting a memento to Sigit while Mak (right) presents one to Lee during the Johor edition of the Global Navigator Series in Johor Baru. — THOMAS YONG/The Star
JOHOR BARU: There is huge untapped potential between Johor and Indonesia that exporters should explore, according to Indonesian consul-general in Johor Baru Sigit Suryantoro Widiyanto.
He said despite the close proximity with Indonesia’s Riau Islands, there is not much trade activity with Johor.
“Currently, only about 6% of Johor’s total trade is with Indo-nesia.
“Of course, we (Indonesia) are also trading through ports in other states in Malaysia. But there is significant room for improvement in terms of direct trade between Johor and Indonesia.
“One of the things we could look into is having more roll-on, roll-off ferry services between Batam and Johor,” he said, adding that this is being discussed between Malaysia and Indonesia.
Sigit said this during the opening fireside chat session of the Global Navigator Series – an initiative by the Export Excellence Awards (EEA) 2024 programme – held at a hotel here yesterday.
Meanwhile, Johor investment, trade, consumer affairs and human resources committee chairman Lee Ting Han said export-oriented businesses and investors can look forward to the flexibility offered by the Special Financial Zone (SFZ) in Forest City to facilitate business.
Aside from offering a 0% corporate tax rate for Family Offices, part of the agenda for the SFZ is to allow foreign exchange flexibility, he said.
“This will give confidence to investors, export-oriented businesses and industry players that there is an alternative venue should your business require that flexibility,” he said.
Lee also said the government is currently in talks with Bank Negara and the Securities Commission to assist businesses in terms of free flow capital within Johor, which will further drive the state’s economic growth.
During the chat session, Lee highlighted Johor’s infrastructure and readiness for exports with facilities, such as Port of Tanjung Pelepas, Port of Pasir Gudang and Tanjung Langsat Port being key for the logistics industry.
“Other ongoing projects such as the double-tracking rail project, which will be fully operational by April next year, will further connect Johor with Kuala Lumpur and other ports in the country such as Port Klang.”
Lee said the government is also looking at soft infrastructure, such as working with the Singapore government to establish an electronic customs clearance system, which is part of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) efforts.
“We are also engaging with the Indonesian authorities to work on projects to further ease the movement of people and goods,” he said.
Meanwhile, in his closing remarks, chat session moderator Standard Chartered Malaysia chief executive officer Mak Joon Nien said exciting times are ahead with Malaysia also assuming the Asean chairmanship next year.“This is a big event for 2025 with a lot of activities and engagements (following the Asean chairmanship) and the finalisation of the JS-SEZ.
“Our gross domestic product is also looking decent, with a forecast of 5% to 5.5%. With our fiscal discipline all in good stead, we just need to stay the course,” Mak added.
Star Media Group Bhd group chief executive officer Chan Seng Fatt, who was also in the audience, later presented a memento to Sigit while Mak presented a souvenir to Lee at the end of the chat session.
The EEA 2024 is organised by Star Media Group in partnership with Standard Chartered Malaysia and PKT Logistics Group as co-sponsor and Matrade as patron. It is audited by BDO.
Submissions for the awards programme are open from now until Jan 17, 2025.
For more information on EEA 2024, go to exportawards.com.my or email eea@thestar.com.my.
