CIMB Bank Berhad and CIMB Islamic Bank Berhad have announced that they have deployed over RM4.2 billion in funding within the Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), as part of a larger RM10 billion commitment to support cross-border growth and small and medium enterprise (SME) expansion in the region. Of this amount, nearly one-third, or RM1.15 billion, has been allocated specifically to SMEs operating across the zone.
The announcement was made during Forward Future SME 2026, an event organized by CIMB in partnership with the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) and the Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA). The session is described as the first SME-focused platform of its kind in Johor, drawing about 220 participants from both JS-SEZ and Singapore, including SMEs, investors, policymakers, and ecosystem partners.
Ahmad Shazli Kamarulzaman, Co-Chief Executive Officer of Group Commercial and Transaction Banking at CIMB, stated: “Forward Future SME 2026 reflects our commitment that SMEs must be empowered not only to succeed locally, but to scale regionally, integrate into regional and global value chains, and participate confidently in cross-border trade and investment. With SMEs as the backbone of the economy and key drivers of resilience, competitiveness and inclusive growth, the urgency of today’s economic imperatives requires us to fast-forward access to capital, partnerships and solutions that enable SMEs to future-proof their businesses and capture opportunities across the JS-SEZ.”
CIMB’s activities in Johor are aligned with national development plans such as Malaysia’s 13th Plan (RMK-13) and the National Industrial Master Plan 2030 (NIMP), which focus on promoting high-growth industries and strategic sectors. Johor’s economy is described as balanced; services make up 37.2% of its GDP—driven by logistics, trade, and business services—while manufacturing accounts for 29%, underscoring its importance for industrial activity.
In 2024, Johor reported a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of RM158 billion. This figure represents 9.6% of Malaysia’s total GDP—making it the third-largest contributor nationally—and marks a year-on-year growth rate of 6.4%, surpassing the national average.
CIMB states that through its dedicated funding commitment and ongoing collaboration with development authorities like MIDA and IRDA, it aims to advance sustainable growth within JS-SEZ by supporting both local enterprises’ expansion efforts as well as broader cross-border initiatives.
Further details about CIMB’s offerings for businesses involved in JS-SEZ can be found at https://www.cimb.com.my/en/business/business-solutions/solutions/cross-border-solutions.html.
