SINGAPORE — Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will make an official visit to Johor on Thursday (Jan 11) to witness the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the Johor-Singapore special economic zone.

He and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim will also attend a ceremony to mark the completion of a section of the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link project.

The two neighbouring countries have been working to improve connectivity and boost business opportunities.

Mr Lee said last October that the proposed Johor-Singapore special economic zone should lead to smoother trips for people working on either side of the Causeway, one of the world's busiest border crossings.

Officials on both sides had conducted a feasibility study on the special economic zone to determine interest from investors and market demand. There have been few operational details, including the exact location of the special economic zone, as discussions continued.

"The JS-SEZ aims to strengthen economic collaboration in the Iskandar development region by tapping into the complementary strengths of both countries and improving cross-border flows of goods, investments and people," Singapore's Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said in a press statement on Wednesday.

It added that the MOU signing will take place after the RTS Link commemorative ceremony, which marks the completion of the connecting span between Singapore and Malaysia for the RTS Link viaduct.

"When completed, the RTS Link will connect the Bukit Chagar station in Johor Bahru and the Woodlands North station in Singapore, with a peak capacity of up to 10,000 passengers per hour in each direction," said PMO.

The RTS Link is expected to begin passenger service at the end of 2026.

Mr Lee will be accompanied on the trip by Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong, National Development Minister Desmond Lee, Acting Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat, as well as Minister of State for Home Affairs and National Development Faishal Ibrahim. CNA