The Manufacturing Day Summit 2026 brought together Indonesian and Singaporean stakeholders to explore next-generation manufacturing, innovation, and strategic investment in key industrial regions

On 30 January 2026, the Vice Minister of Industry of the Republic of Indonesia, Faisol Riza, attended the Manufacturing Day Summit 2026 in Singapore alongside Indonesia’s Ambassador to Singapore, Dr Hotmangaradja Pandjaitan. The forum served as a strategic platform to strengthen industrial diplomacy and promote Indonesia’s manufacturing vision on the global stage.

Carrying the theme “Industry 5.0 with Next-Gen”, the summit underscored the importance of innovation, talent, and sustainable industrial development. Discussions focused on how collaboration between government, industry, and international partners can accelerate industrial transformation while enhancing competitiveness.

A key highlight of the forum was the presentation of investment and development opportunities in Batam, Bintan, and Karimun, three strategic industrial zones positioned as gateways for regional and global manufacturing. These areas were showcased for their growing industrial ecosystems, skilled talent pool, and strong connectivity within Southeast Asia.

The event was also attended by representatives from Indonesia Investment Promotion Centre (IIPC) Singapore, Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), BP Batam, and Himpunan Kawasan Industri (HKI) Indonesia. Their participation reflected a shared commitment to fostering cross-border cooperation, attracting high-quality investment, and advancing innovation-led industrial growth.

Through its presence at the Manufacturing Day Summit 2026, Indonesia reaffirmed its commitment to proactive economic diplomacy and its readiness to partner with global stakeholders in shaping a resilient and future-oriented manufacturing sector.

Source: Indonesian Embassy in Singapore

The first SBF Ghana–Singapore Business Dialogue brought together government leaders and businesses to explore opportunities for deeper bilateral trade and investment.

The Singapore Business Federation (SBF) hosted the inaugural Ghana–Singapore Business Dialogue on 27 August 2025, in conjunction with the State Visit of H.E. John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana, to Singapore. The event was part of a wider programme that included high-level meetings with Singapore leaders and President Mahama’s keynote address at the 8th Africa–Singapore Business Forum.

The Ghanaian delegation included President Mahama, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Minister for Foreign Affairs; Hon. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, Minister for Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry; Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, Minister of Education; Hon. Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Minister in charge of Government Communications; Mr. Simon Madjie, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre; and Mr. Francis Kojo Kwarteng Arthur, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Export Promotion Authority. The Dialogue was also attended by Mr Alvin Tan, Singapore’s Minister of State for Trade and Industry and National Development, alongside more than 50 Singapore companies, with a total turnout of 110 participants.

The Dialogue reaffirmed the growing economic ties between Ghana and Singapore, positioning Ghana as a reliable partner for Singapore businesses seeking to expand into Africa. Backed by macroeconomic stability, pro-business reforms, and the presence of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat in Accra, Ghana was highlighted as offering stability and scale. Opportunities were identified in agribusiness, consumer goods, digital finance, logistics, connectivity, and sustainability solutions, where Singapore companies possess complementary strengths.

Mr Venkataramani Srivathsan, Chairman of the Africa Business Group at SBF, noted that Ghana’s hosting of the AfCFTA Secretariat placed the country at the heart of Africa’s economic integration. He emphasised that Ghana provided both stability and market access for Singapore businesses in sectors such as agribusiness, digital finance, and sustainable energy.

Mr S. S. Teo, Chairman of SBF, added that the Dialogue reflected SBF’s commitment to building stronger economic partnerships with Ghana. He said Singapore businesses viewed Ghana not only as a gateway to West Africa but also as a trusted, long-term partner for sustainable growth.

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The Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) and the UN Global Compact Network Malaysia & Brunei (UNGCMYB) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 30 May 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, marking a significant step towards accelerating sustainable investment in Malaysia.

The agreement united MIDA’s national investment promotion role with UNGCMYB’s sustainability expertise, setting a collaborative path to promote the adoption of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles across the Malaysian business landscape. Both organisations highlighted their commitment to advancing the nation’s transition to a more inclusive and sustainable economy.

Datuk Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim Sikh Abdul Majid, Chief Executive Officer of MIDA, underlined the importance of sustainability in attracting future-ready investments. He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to supporting Malaysia’s Net Zero 2050 targets and MITI’s Green Investment Strategy (GIS). Mr. Faroze Nadar, Executive Director of UNGCMYB, described the partnership as a strategic move to bridge the gap between ESG awareness and practical implementation.

The MoU outlined collaborative initiatives such as organising conferences, roundtables, and development programmes centred on ESG and broader sustainability issues. As a first step under this partnership, MIDA announced its role as a strategic partner in the Forward Faster Symposium 2025, UNGCMYB’s flagship sustainability event, set to take place on 5 June 2025 at MIDA’s headquarters.

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Selangor, Malaysia, on 22 May 2025, Neways Electronics officially opened its new advanced manufacturing facility in Selangor, marking the company’s first production site in Southeast Asia. The expansion formed part of Neways’ broader growth strategy to meet increasing regional demand while strengthening its global presence in high-reliability electronics.

The facility will focus on high-level semiconductor assemblies, with industry leader ASML as its launching customer. Other key customers present at the launch included ASMi, Besi, VDL, Frencken, KMWE, Thermo Fisher, VAT Group, and Rimac Technologies. The grand opening was officiated by YB Liew Chin Tong, Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI), alongside Ms Eva Oskam, Deputy Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Malaysia.

YB Liew Chin Tong welcomed the investment as a reflection of Malaysia’s strong position in the electronics and semiconductor sectors, noting its alignment with the National Semiconductor Strategy (NSS). Datuk Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim, CEO of the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), also highlighted the facility’s potential to elevate Malaysia’s role in global value chains and technology-intensive operations.

Dato’ Hasan Azhari Hj. Idris, CEO of Invest Selangor, expressed pride in supporting Neways’ entry through the Selangor Soft Landing programme. He emphasised that the state government remained committed to assisting the company as it scaled operations. Neways aims to grow its workforce to over 200 employees and expand its customer portfolio in the coming years.

Neways CEO Hans Büthker described the opening as a strategic step forward in delivering mission-critical electronics solutions to global clients. The company underscored its ambition to establish Selangor as a core regional hub for advanced manufacturing.

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The Nikkei Forum Medini 2024 brought global attention to Johor’s economic rise and the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ).

Johor, 18–19 June 2024 – Johor made history as the first location outside Japan to host the prestigious Nikkei Forum, held in Medini, Iskandar Puteri. The two-day event gathered international policymakers, industry leaders, and investors to discuss emerging opportunities across Asia, with a particular focus on enhancing Southeast Asian partnerships.

Chief Executive Officer of Invest Johor, Tuan Haji Natazha Harris, hailed the forum’s relocation as a strong vote of confidence in Johor’s economic momentum, especially under the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) framework. He highlighted that Johor’s growth trajectory has attracted increasing global interest, noting that the JS-SEZ had received 328 investment enquiries valued at RM48.1 billion. Among these, 47 companies—40 foreign and 7 local—had moved into advanced negotiations, with five confirming investment plans.

Key sectors drawing attention included the digital economy and advanced manufacturing, with major enquiries coming from Singapore, China, and Europe. Tuan Haji Natazha added that many investors chose to maintain front offices in Singapore while leveraging Johor’s more cost-effective manufacturing base, underlining the importance of efficient cross-border logistics.

To further accelerate investment momentum, Johor had actively promoted the JS-SEZ internationally through trade missions to China, South Korea, and the Middle East. Tuan Haji Natazha announced that a detailed JS-SEZ blueprint would be released by September 2024, backed by RM5 billion in federal funding for strategic infrastructure projects. The blueprint is being jointly developed by Malaysia’s Economy Ministry, the Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA), and the Johor state government.

At the recent Forest City Special Finance Zone International Investment Law Conference, legal experts highlighted the importance of regulatory clarity in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI). Jeff Leong, chairman of the event, stressed that robust legal guidance would support investor confidence and strengthen Johor’s position as a regional economic hub under the state’s #MajuJohor2030 vision.

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On 19 May 2025, the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), in collaboration with Chery Corporate Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., launched the Chery Premier Supply Chain Synergy Programme last Friday at MIDA’s headquarters. Supported by the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) and the Malaysia Automotive Robotics & IoT Institute (MARii), the event aimed to foster meaningful partnerships between 12 leading Chery Technology suppliers from China and 23 Malaysian vendors.

Datuk Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim Sikh Abdul Majid, Chief Executive Officer of MIDA, emphasised the significance of the initiative in achieving the goals of Malaysia’s National Automotive Policy (NAP) 2020. He stated that the programme encourages local vendor development, the adoption of next-generation vehicles (NxGV), and the implementation of Industry 4.0 practices, laying the foundation for knowledge transfer and stronger industrial capabilities.

Mr Leo Chen, Executive Vice President of Chery Corporate Malaysia, reiterated the company’s commitment to localisation and supply chain resilience. He noted that this cross-border collaboration would not only support Chery’s strategic expansion in Malaysia but also create a robust platform for innovation and sustainable growth. The initiative supports Chery’s broader goal to help Malaysia become a key regional hub for advanced automotive manufacturing.

A key highlight of the event was the unveiling of Chery’s upcoming Smart Auto Industrial Park in the Beringin High-Tech Auto Valley. This facility is set to become a major production centre for Chery in the region, reinforcing Malaysia’s role in the global automotive landscape.

The event concluded with the signing of four strategic Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) between Chinese and Malaysian firms, focusing on technology transfer, component development, and joint investment. This move further solidified Malaysia’s position in the global supply chain for electric vehicles and smart mobility solutions.

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On 15 May 2025, the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) Johor, in collaboration with the Building Technology & Lifestyle Division, participated in the grand opening of Oliver Healthcare Packaging Malaysia’s new manufacturing facility. The event took place at i-TechValley, a strategically located industrial park in Iskandar Puteri, Johor.

The newly launched 120,000 sq ft facility was officially opened by YB Lee Ting Han, Chairman of the Johor State Investment, Trade, Consumer Affairs and Human Resources Committee. Built in accordance with ISO 13485 standards, the plant features ISO-7 and ISO-8 certified cleanrooms, ensuring the production of high-quality, medical-grade packaging materials including pouches, lids, and roll stock.

This strategic investment by Oliver Healthcare aims to support the growing pharmaceutical and medical device industries in the region. The facility will not only enhance Oliver’s operational capabilities in Southeast Asia but also strengthen the regional healthcare supply chain with reliable, high-standard packaging solutions.

Situated within the Southern Industrial and Logistics Clusters (SiLC), i-TechValley is a 170-acre freehold industrial park designed to international standards. It offers a clean and green environment, world-class infrastructure, and a range of amenities to support business growth. The park’s strategic location provides excellent accessibility to Singapore, the Port of Tanjung Pelepas, and Johor Bahru city, making it an ideal hub for industries seeking regional connectivity and sustainability .

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