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Looking at the list of initiatives, do we have more to win or lose? Source: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/singapore-malaysia-special-economic-zone-mou-johor-passport-free-travel-4039876 Singapore and Malaysia on Thursday (Jan 11) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on a new Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Under the MOU, both sides will work towards boosting the cross-border flow of goods and people and developing a framework that will lead to a full-fledged agreement on the zone Singapore and Malaysia are also exploring other initiatives leading up to the SEZ, including a passport-free clearance system on both sides of the border Further updates on the SEZ are expected at the 11th Malaysia-Singapore Leaders’ Retreat later this year JOHOR BAHRU: People travelling between Singapore and Johor may soon be able to enjoy passport-free clearance on both sides of the border, as well as digitised processes for cargo clearance at the land checkpoints. These are among the "early initiatives" being explored leading up to a new Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (SEZ), which aims to boost cross-border economic connectivity between Singapore and Malaysia. Under the MOU, both countries will explore several initiatives that will "build towards" the SEZ, including more expeditious clearance of people at land checkpoints, and the facilitation of renewable energy cooperation between Malaysia and Singapore, said Singapore's Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) and Malaysia’s Ministry of Economy. According to the joint statement, the two countries will "explore work on several initiatives that will build towards" the SEZ, which are: A one-stop business or investment service centre in Johor Implementing a passport-free QR code clearance system on both sides Digitised processes for cargo clearance at the land checkpoints Co-organising an investors forum to gather feedback from businesses on the Johor-Singapore SEZ Facilitating Malaysia-Singapore renewable energy cooperation in the zone Curating training to address talent and skill gaps for industries in the SEZ Developing joint promotion events between Johor and Singapore to promote trade and investment in the SEZ The MOU also establishes a Johor-Singapore SEZ Committee co-led by MTI and Malaysia’s Economy Ministry. This committee will report to the Joint Ministerial Committee for Iskandar Malaysia (JMCIM) co-chaired by Singapore Minister for National Development Desmond Lee and Mr Rafizi, the Malaysian economy minister.