Latest news with #PUJB
Independent Singapore
29-04-2025
- Business
- Independent Singapore
Maybank, PUJB forge strategic partnership to boost Johor entrepreneurs in JS-SEZ
MALAYSIA: The Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank) and Perbadanan Usahawan Johor Sdn Bhd (PUJB) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to deliver comprehensive support for local businesses. This strategic move is to empower Johor's entrepreneurs and ensure inclusive growth within the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), As reported by The Star, this partnership is set to bridge key gaps for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through financial solutions, halal industry facilitation, and capacity-building initiatives, all vital in positioning Johor as a competitive player regionally and globally. Strengthening the local MSME ecosystem Maybank's president and group chief executive officer (CEO) Datuk Khairussaleh Ramli highlighted that the collaboration underscored Maybank's ongoing commitment to supporting the local entrepreneurial community. 'As a leading bank of ASEAN — with the largest branch network in Johor and 65 years of banking presence in Singapore — this partnership will play a catalytic role in advancing business growth and investments in the JS-SEZ, covering over 60,000 local MSME entrepreneurs who are currently part of PUJB's ecosystem,' he was quoted as saying by The Star. The partnership aligns closely with the JS-SEZ's economic objectives. It also helps ensure that local entrepreneurs are well-positioned to benefit from the influx of new investments and expanded market opportunities. According to The Star, Maybank will collaborate with PUJB to deliver tailored banking and beyond banking solutions, including supply chain financing, strategic advisory services and modern financial tools suited to the needs of Johor's businesses. Driving Johor's halal industry ambitions Given the JS-SEZ's focus on building a halal economic cluster, the MoU also paves the way for deeper development of this sector. 'With JS-SEZ's focus on halal, this partnership with PUJB will also contribute towards the development and positioning of JS-SEZ as the preferred regional and global halal hub,' said Khairussaleh. He added, 'Our strong global Islamic banking experience has strategically positioned us to assist in not only providing syariah-compliant financing solutions but also enables us access to the halal ecosystem and marketplace for businesses.' This strategic alignment between banking expertise and entrepreneurial growth initiatives offers a clear pathway for Johor's halal players to scale their businesses beyond local markets. Positive reactions from the public The announcement of the MoU has been met with widespread positivity. On social media, the wider public has praised the partnership's potential impact. 'Exciting update,' stated one netizen, showing optimism about Johor's future economic landscape. Another user also expressed enthusiasm about this growth strategy. 'Big congratulations!', their comment stated, showing their excitement about the impact of this news. Such responses show the public's strong confidence in the strategic alignment between financial institutions, government-linked agencies, and entrepreneurial development efforts within the JS-SEZ framework. Building an inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem PUJB's chief executive officer Mohd Radzi Mohd Amin reaffirmed the corporation's commitment to developing a competitive and inclusive entrepreneurial environment. 'PUJB is committed to leading the development of a competitive and inclusive entrepreneurial and cooperative ecosystem, including empowering youth, women, and rural communities through training and mentoring; access to modern technology, as well as financing and infrastructure support for shared economic prosperity,' he was quoted as saying by The Star. This approach ensures that entrepreneurship in Johor grows across all layers of society, contributing to economic resilience as well as innovation within the JS-SEZ. Currently, Maybank has a strong physical presence in Johor, with 71 touchpoints across branches and service centres, further reinforcing its capacity to deliver accessible support to local businesses. Read also: Johor ramps up cross-border tourism ties with Singapore ahead of VJY 2026
The Sun
22-04-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Maybank, PUJB join forces to support Johor entrepreneurs with focus on JS-SEZ
PETALING JAYA: Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank) and Perbadanan Usahawan Johor Sdn Bhd (PUJB) have entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaborate on strengthening support the state's entrepreneurs, with a particular focus on businesses, especially MSMEs, aligned with the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ). An MoU exchange ceremony was held recently in conjunction with the JS-SEZ Joint Business and Investment Forum, between Maybank president and group CEO Datuk Khairussaleh Ramli and PUJB CEO Mohd Radzi Mohd Amin. Both parties aim to bridge key gaps by offering tailored banking and beyond banking solutions including halal facilitation services, supply chain financing, capacity-building programmes and strategic advisory services. Khairussaleh said the collaboration underscores Maybank's commitment to supporting local entrepreneurs and to work closely with PUJB and Johor to strengthen the local MSME ecosystem. This is in line with the JS-SEZ key economic focus in efforts to ensure that local businesses will greatly benefit from new investments and economic growth. Noting that Maybank has the largest branch network in Johor and 65 years of banking presence in Singapore, he said the partnership will play a catalytic role in advancing business growth and investments in the JS-SEZ covering over 60,000 local MSME entrepreneurs who are currently part of PUJB's ecosystem. 'With JS-SEZ's focus on halal (industry), this partnership with PUJB will also contribute towards the development and positioning of JS-SEZ as the preferred regional and global halal hub. Our strong global Islamic banking experience has strategically positioned us to assist in not only providing syariah-compliant financing solutions, but also enables us access to the Halal ecosystem and marketplace for businesses,' said Khairussaleh. Since September 2023, Maybank Islamic has guided 360 MSMEs in their halal certification journey under its Halal Facilitation Programme. The programme will be extended to benefit not only local entrepreneurs but also foreign investors in the food and beverage, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics sectors who are seeking entry into the halal market. Against the promising backdrop of the growing halal industry in Malaysia, the partnership with PUJB is especially timely in the context of increasing regional economic integration and the growing demand for halal-certified products and services. By 2030, the halal industry in Malaysia is expected to expand to US$113.2 billion (RM500 billion) with a contribution of 8.1% to gross domestic product by 2025, according to the Halal Industry Master Plan 2030. Khairussaleh said Maybank is committed to delivering on its M25+ strategic thrusts, of which one of them is to strengthen global Islamic banking leadership through a number of business drivers, and at the same time being a major player in the robust and dynamic halal sector in Malaysia and globally. Mohd Radzi said: 'PUJB is committed to leading the development of a competitive and inclusive entrepreneurial and cooperative ecosystem including empowering youth, women, and rural communities through training, mentoring, access to modern technology, as well as financing and infrastructure support for shared economic prosperity.' Maybank has already extensively been supporting key clients in the JS-SEZ strategic sectors, including data centres, infrastructure, healthcare and semiconductors. It is also spearheading regional decarbonisation efforts, including acting as sole sustainability adviser for Johor Plantations Group's RM1.3 billion sustainability-linked sukuk, the world's first in the plantation sector.
New Straits Times
22-04-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Maybank, PUJB join forces to power JS-SEZ growth
KUALA LUMPUR: Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Perbadanan Usahawan Johor Sdn Bhd (PUJB) to boost support for local entrepreneurs in Johor. The partnership will focus on micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) businesses aligned with the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ). Under the MoU, both parties aim to address key gaps by providing tailored banking and non-banking support, including halal facilitation, supply chain financing, training and advisory services. Maybank president and group chief executive officer (CEO) Datuk Khairussaleh Ramli said the partnership reflects the bank's commitment to support local entrepreneurs and strengthen Johor's MSME ecosystem with PUJB. "As a leading bank of Asean with the largest branch network in Johor and 65 years of banking presence in Singapore, this partnership will play a catalytic role in advancing business growth and investments in the JS-SEZ covering over 60,000 local MSME entrepreneurs whom are currently part of PUJB's ecosystem. "With JS-SEZ's focus on halal, this partnership with PUJB will also contribute towards the development and positioning of JS-SEZ as the preferred regional and global halal hub. "Our strong global Islamic banking experience has strategically positioned us to assist in not only providing Shariah-compliant financing solutions, but also enables us access to the halal ecosystem and marketplace for businesses," he said. Maybank Islamic has guided 360 MSMEs in their halal certification journey under its halal facilitation programme. The programme will now be extended to benefit not only local entrepreneurs but also foreign investors in the food and beverage, pharmaceutical and cosmetics sectors who are seeking entry into the halal market. Maybank described the partnership with PUJB as timely in the context of increasing regional economic integration and the growing demand for halal-certified products and services. PUJB chief executive officer Mohd Radzi Mohd Amin said the company is focused on building a strong and inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem. "PUJB is committed to empowering youth, women and rural communities through training, mentoring, access to technology, financing, and infrastructure support for shared economic prosperity," he said. Maybank has also set up a dedicated JS-SEZ desk as a one-stop platform offering advisory, banking and beyond banking solutions, and linking clients with the relevant approving authorities. This will be further supported by Maybank's presence in both Johor and Singapore.
