KUALA LUMPUR – A QR code will replace the need for passports when travelling between Singapore and Malaysia in the future, one of the initiatives under bilateral plans to develop the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ).
In a joint statement, Malaysia’s Economy Ministry and Singapore’s Trade and Industry Ministry said this would facilitate “more expeditious clearance of people at land checkpoints”.
“(The) adoption and implementation of a passport-free QR code clearance system on both sides (is one of several initiatives),” the statement said of plans for the JS-SEZ.
Passport-free travel will enhance cross-border flows of goods and people, as well as strengthen the special zone’s economic system to support investments, the ministries added.
“The JE-SEZ rides on the strong growth of Johor and significant investments in the region by Singapore.”
The passport-free, QR code clearance initiative is part of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed by Malaysia’s Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli and Singapore’s Trade and Industry Minister Gan Kim Yong in Johor Bahru this morning.
The signing was witnessed earlier today by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his Singapore counterpart Lee Hsien Loong.
Other initiatives for the JS-SEZ in the MoU include a one-stop business/investment service centre in Johor to facilitate application processes for Singapore businesses wanting to open in Johor.
More digitisation is also planned for processes such as cargo clearance at land checkpoints, while cooperation in renewable energy in the JS-SEZ is another objective.
Bilateral trade between the neighbours was S$153 billion (RM534.2 billion) in 2022, with each country the other’s second largest trading partner.
Singapore is also Malaysia’s top source of foreign direct investment, contributing 20.5% to the latter’s total FDI in 2022. – January 11, 2024