Johor has emerged as a strategic business hub, bolstered by its proximity to Singapore and the recent establishment of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ). This new bilateral initiative promotes cross-border collaboration, enabling Johor-based SMEs to scale regionally and integrate into a broader innovation-driven economy. The JS-SEZ is set to unlock significant economic potential, with emphasis on high-impact sectors, skilled talent, and cross-border mobility.
While over 50,000 SMEs in Johor have already begun their digital transformation journey, many remain at early stages of digital maturity. To fully capitalise on JS-SEZ opportunities, greater integration with digital tools such as AI, social media, and data analytics is essential. Persistent challenges—such as limited financing, digital skills gaps, and regulatory compliance—continue to hinder SMEs from scaling their operations.
“The bilateral strengths of Malaysia and Singapore create a powerful foundation for cross-border collaboration, innovation, and economic growth,” said Kevin Loh, Interim Group CEO (IGCEO) of CTOS Digital.
“At CTOS, we are committed to building on this momentum by equipping Johor’s SMEs with the tools, insights, and support they need to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital economy. This reinforces our commitment at CTOS to be an enabler and ecosystem builder for SMEs as well as supporting Malaysia’s broader national development goals.”
Driving SME Readiness Through Knowledge and Collaboration
CTOS SME Biz Day Johor Bahru will serve as a critical platform for SMEs to access business insights, connect with ecosystem partners, and stay ahead of digital trends. Key sessions include:
- e-Invoicing in Malaysia
Get the latest updates and actionable insights on e-Invoicing regulations, featuring expert guidance from LHDN to help businesses comply with national tax digitisation policies. - Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ)
Understand the strategic implications and business-readiness expectations to thrive in this evolving cross-border ecosystem. - Business Innovation with AI, Social Media & Smart Tools
Discover how emerging technologies are reshaping SME operations, customer engagement, and sales performance across industries.
Industry Leaders Share Insights and Strategies
Attendees can expect thought leadership sessions and panels featuring trailblazers from various sectors, including:
- Dato’ CC Ngei – Founder, Feruni Ceramiche
- Dato’ Calvin Chan – Managing Director, Oriental Kopi
- Dr. Jeff Lim – CEO, Luckin Coffee Malaysia & Hextar Retail Berhad
- Mohd. Redzuan Affandi – Director, Digital Services Department, MDEC
- Mohd Syazli Mokhtar – Assistant Director, Tax Operations Department, LHDN
- Mohd Haris Abdul Latif – Senior Manager, MATRADE
- Pamela Tan – Founder & Director, Poh Sin Studio
- Anjoe Koh – Founder, Anjoe Skincare / MadebyAnjoe
- Nur Azre Abdul Aziz – Director, Strategic Partnerships, TikTok Malaysia
