Following the launch of United Overseas Bank’s Green Lane with Invest Johor in February 2025, the bank announced that it has facilitated foreign direct investments (FDI) flows exceeding RM18 billion into the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) as at end-2025.
The figures were revealed on April 20 by UOB at the UOB-Invest Johor JS-SEZ Strategic Forum 2026 which saw Johor Menteri Besar Dato’ Onn Hafiz bin Ghazi present the JS-SEZ top investors award.
In addition, UOB also announced that the Green Lane will facilitate two new investor commitments of more than RM1 billion. GSP Automotive Malaysia and Paragon Globe jointly provided a commitment while the other was from JT Automation Technology.
Johor Menteri Besar Dato’ Onn Hafiz bin Ghazi (L) and UOB Malaysia CEO Ng Wei Wei. Photo: UOB
Speaking at the event which was attended by The Edge Singapore, Onn Hafiz says that the collaboration between UOB and Invest Johor has delivered tangible outcomes. “The strong partnership between Invest Johor and UOB reflects how well-aligned public-private collaboration can deliver real results, attracting high-quality investments, creating skilled jobs and generating meaningful impact on the ground,” he says. “Every investment secured must translate into real outcomes, including better job opportunities, stronger local industries and lasting value for every Johorean.”
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Against the backdrop of the Middle East conflict, Onn Hafiz believes that collaboration is critical in an era defined by geopolitical tension and economic volatility, with the JS-SEZ potentially serving as a “key catalyst” of growth for Southeast Asia. “It is precisely in times like these that cooperation exemplified by the JS-SEZ should be doubled down rather than abandoned,” he says. “Johor is moving with a renewed sense of purpose [and] this progress is not by chance, but driven by deliberate policies, strong leadership and close partnership with our neighbor.”
Since the formalisation of the JS-SEZ in January 2025, investors have poured a record RM110 billion in approved investments into the southernmost state of Peninsular Malaysia.
UOB Malaysia CEO Ng Wei Wei says that UOB will continue to contribute to the development of the JS-SEZ. She says: “From the outset, UOB has focused on practical enablers to turn interest into action. Combining Johor’s development priorities with Singapore’s role as a global business hub enables companies on both sides of the Causeway to execute cross-border opportunities effectively.
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“Partnering Invest Johor, MIDA, IRDA and other stakeholders, we continue to facilitate high value investments into the JS-SEZ from multiple countries, strengthening supply chain connectivity while delivering economic benefits for Malaysia and Singapore.”
Ng also says that the bank is committed to developing future-ready talent for the digital age. During the event, UOB took the opportunity to launch its UOB My Digital Space (MDS) in Malaysia, an education initiative designed to empower students to think critically and use technology responsibly. “We are proud to officially launch the bank's flagship education programme in Malaysia, starting with Johor,” adds Ng.
According to UOB, the MDS has been implemented in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, China and Hong Kong and is expected to benefit more than 100,000 students regionally, helping to bridge the digital divide. The programme focuses on educating students aged 10 to 16 years.
