The Johor–Singapore Causeway seen from Singapore on Aug. 20.
Photographer: Ore Huiying/Bloomberg
Singapore, Malaysia Want to Build Their Own Shenzhen-Style Mega-Hub
A renewed effort to weave together the economies of Singapore and southern Malaysia could benefit both nations, if political challenges can finally be overcome.
A bid to turn one of the world’s busiest border regions into a trading and transportation mega-hub could bolster the economies of Singapore and Malaysia and help cement Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s grip on power — if a long history of political roadblocks and delays don’t stand in the way.
Negotiators from both nations are finalizing an accord to designate part of Malaysia’s southern Johor state as a cross-border special economic zone (SEZ) before the end of the year. Tech firms including Nvidia Corp. and GDS Holdings Ltd. are already investing in data-center parks that are expected to benefit — and expand — under the agreement.