Malaysia and Singapore leaders have signed an agreement to create a special economic zone to attract global investment and ease the cross-border flow of goods and people.

The leaders of Malaysia and Singapore are set to formalize an agreement establishing a special economic zone linking their two nations’ border region, but the prospects for immediate economic benefits may hinge on implementation of a deal that has seen repeated delays since talks began in 2023.

Malaysia and Singapore announced on Tuesday an agreement on a special economic zone in the southern Malaysian state of Johor, aiming to support investment and free up movement of goods and people between the countries.

While Singapore has one of the lowest corporate income tax rates in the region at 17%, companies in Malaysia pay between 15% and 24%. "Malaysia and Singapore agree to special economic zone in Johor" was originally created and published by Investment Monitor, a GlobalData owned brand.

Malaysia unveiled a slew of tax incentives to lure investors to its joint special economic zone with Singapore that seeks to add $26 billion per year to the Malaysian economy by 2030.

The Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone is nearly twice the size of Shenzhen, whose success it is hoping to emulate.