Amir Hamzah: Mizuho Bank commits nearly US$600mil to support JS-SEZ

The Star

Mizuho Bank (Malaysia) Bhd has pledged nearly US$600mil (RM2.8bil) in financing to support clients investing in the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ).  Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, who is also acting Economy Minister, said during the exchange of a letter of intent between the Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA) and Mizuho Bank on Wednesday (Oct 1) that sustained strategic partnerships were crucial to attracting high-value investments, enhancing cross-border connectivity, and creating opportunities that would benefit Johor and the wider Malaysian economy.  Amir Hamzah added that Mizuho’s extensive network of Japanese clients uniquely positions the bank to channel catalytic projects into the 11 promoted sectors of the JS-SEZ.  Read more at https://tinyurl.com/5c4tevzs  WATCH MORE: https://thestartv.com/c/news SUBSCRIBE: https://cutt.ly/TheStar LIKE: https://fb.com/TheStarOnline

Transcript

00:00Congratulations!

00:02Today marks an important milestone in Malaysia's economic journey

00:08with its JSCZ exchange of LOI

00:12between IRDA and the Mizuho Bank Malaysia Berhad

00:16to form a strategic partnership between the two entities.

00:20JSCZ is a landmark initiative under

00:24Malaysia Economic Cooperation with Singapore.

00:28Finally, to attract high-value investments, strengthen cross-border

00:32connectivity, and create opportunities that benefit not only

00:36Johor, but the whole country. As we have already had

00:40six strategic bank partners for JSCZ

00:44in May 2025, this

00:48continuous strategy partnership

00:52which is vital in realizing this vision.

00:56Financial institutions like

00:58Mizuho Bank plays a critical role

01:00in building investor confidence,

01:02enhancing visibility,

01:04and opening new channels of investment.

01:08Through its extensive network

01:10of Japanese clients,

01:12Mizuho is uniquely positioned

01:14to channel

01:16catalytic projects into

01:18the eleven promoted sectors of JSCZ.

01:22For investors, this means

01:24more supportive ecosystem,

01:26easier access to financing,

01:28and

01:30faster facilitation of proposals.

01:34Ladies and gentlemen,

01:36we believe that this initiative

01:38could translate the real benefit

01:40to the rakyat as a home.

01:42For example, when a Japanese

01:44automotive manufacturer sets up

01:46its plant here,

01:48it is not only creating

01:50high-skilled engineering jobs,

01:52but also opportunities for our local SMEs

01:54to supply components and services.

01:56When renewable energy companies invest here,

02:00the rakyat will benefit

02:02from a cleaner, reliable, affordable

02:04source of power.

02:06And when digital economy firms come in,

02:08they help train our youth in new skills,

02:12preparing them for jobs in the future.

02:14This initiative is fully aligned

02:18with the government's commitment

02:20to sustainability, inclusive,

02:22and high-value economic growth.

02:24With IRDA as the facilitator

02:28and Mizuho Bank Malaysia Berat

02:30as a trusted financial partner,

02:32we are confident that the JSCZ

02:34will attract new investments,

02:36create jobs,

02:38and strengthen the Malaysia's role

02:40as a regional economic hub.

02:42Izoho Bank Malaysia is committed

02:44in supporting the development

02:46of JSCZ,

02:48providing nearly $600 million

02:50in financing for clients

02:52investing in the area

02:54since JSCZ's agreement

02:58which was signed to ASEAN.

03:00The bank noted investment interests

03:04and I think, I'm confident

03:06that this will be translated

03:08into fundamental approved investments

03:10in the not too distant future.

03:18Viola-

03:34Viola-

03:37Viola-

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