Minister Lim's written reply to Parliament Questions on the Iskandar Development Region (IDR)

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament
Mr Chiam See Tong, Member of Parliament for Potong Pasir

Question No. 374:
To ask the Minister for Trade and Industry what approach will the Government take with regard to the Iskandar Development Region (IDR) in Southern Johor and whether Singapore will commit large investments in the IDR.

Written Answer: 
Following an agreement between our two Prime Ministers at the Leaders' Retreat in May this year, Singapore and Malaysia have set up a Joint Ministerial Committee (JMC) to explore ideas for bilateral cooperation in the Iskandar Development Region (IDR). This is based on our assessment that it would be good for Singapore if the IDR develops and takes off successfully. A thriving and dynamic South Johor region next to Singapore will generate greater opportunities and attract more talent and ideas to this part of the world. This will be good for both countries.

The JMC on IDR cooperation is co-chaired by Minister (National Development) Mah Bow Tan and Malaysia's Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Dato' Sri Effendi Norwawi. Other members include Minister (Transport) Raymond Lim and the Chief Minister of Johor, Dato' Abdul Ghani Othman. At the JMC's inaugural meeting in July 2007, four work groups were set up to explore cooperation in the areas of immigration, transport, tourism and the environment. The JMC will be meeting again later in the year.

Whilst the two governments can encourage and help facilitate economic cooperation and linkages, the private sector must make their own investment decisions based on commercial considerations. Singapore has traditionally been one of the top investors in Johor, due to our proximity and our companies' familiarity with the market. With East Asia growing rapidly, there are many investment opportunities in Malaysia and other countries. As the IDR develops, our private sector, like all other investors, will make their own assessments of the relative attractiveness of the IDR vis-à-vis other investment opportunities and act accordingly.

We understand that there is interest amongst our companies to participate in the development and growth of the IDR and they are carrying out their ground assessments. They have been participating in the various seminars and site visits to the IDR that have been organized by the Malaysian authorities and our business chambers over the past few months.