ISKANDAR PUTERI (Feb 29): The establishment of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) will help create more startup companies in the country, especially in the state of Johor.

Deputy Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Mohammad Yusof Apdal said he is confident that the establishment of the JS-SEZ will play an important role in helping the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (Mosti) achieve its target of creating 5,000 startup companies by the end of 2025.

“Today we see Johor as a state that is very strategic towards the development of startups in our country.

“To date we have 3,000 startups and, as I have said, it helps with a strategic location close to Singapore, a fast-growing ecosystem, driven by strategic positioning and proactive government initiatives.

“Johor is a strategic gateway for startup companies, so hopefully more startups will take the opportunity to come and start business in Johor," he told reporters after officiating at the MYStartup NXT Johor Micro Conference at Sunway Hotel here on Thursday.

During his speech, he said Johor’s economic accomplishments have garnered global recognition. 

“In the StartupBlink’s Global Startup Ecosystem Index Report, Johor Bahru made an impressive leap, surging 404 places and securing a spot among the top 600 cities worldwide in 2023.

“In Southeast Asia, Johor Bahru moved up nine places to 13th spot, thus retaining its position as the third most vibrant ecosystem in Malaysia.

“Johor’s entrepreneurial spirit was inspiring as it is fuelled by the support coming from its state government," he said.

He added that MYStartup NXT is part of the MYStartup initiative, which aligns with the Malaysia Startup Ecosystem Roadmap (SUPER) 2021-2030 being spearheaded by the ministry.

The MYStartup initiative also contributes to the national goals of establishing 5,000 startups by 2025 and elevating Malaysia to become one of the top 20 global startup ecosystem hubs by 2030.