On July 9 and 10, 2025, Quinn Lu, International Business Advisor for Malaysia at Dezan Shira & Associates, attended the 5th Annual Special Economic Zones (SEZs) & Industrial Estates Conference in Johor, Malaysia. The event gathered industry leaders from across the Asia-Pacific region to explore recent developments, regulatory frameworks, and the evolving landscape of SEZs.
The conference offered valuable insights into strategic zones such as the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) and other key areas across Malaysia. Notable contributions came from Malaysian authorities including the Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA) and the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), who shared perspectives on policy updates and investment directions.
Regarding the impact of the JS-SEZ, Quinn Lu commented, “The Johor-Singapore SEZ represents a rare convergence of strategic geography, cross-border collaboration, and government support. For investors, it offers a unique platform to tap into both Malaysian and Singaporean markets with greater ease and efficiency. To fully realize these benefits, both regions must work more closely together, approaching the SEZ as collaborating partners rather than competitors.”
Speakers from Singapore and Vietnam added a regional dimension by presenting comparative views on SEZ strategies and incentive structures in their respective countries.
A standout session was delivered by data centre design specialist James Rix, who presented case studies on the repurposing of older buildings, including the Ashton Bath project in the UK and the Chicago Press Building in the US, as examples of adaptive reuse for digital infrastructure.
Quinn Lu’s participation reflects Dezan Shira & Associates’ commitment to staying informed on key regional trends and supporting clients in navigating opportunities across Southeast Asia’s dynamic investment environment.
Our teams in Malaysia and Singapore are looking forward to further collaboration with regional stakeholders as SEZs continue to evolve.
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