Networking – Meeting SME Johor Selatan Members with HECS from SG to JB

What an amazing experience at the Across Causeway: Business Networking Session with SMEJS Members organised by Heartland Enterprise Centre Singapore (HECS)! This event was a step towards real cross-border collaboration by learning from each other and identifying cross-border growth opportunities.

If you’re a business owner looking to expand, optimize costs, or gain a competitive edge, here’s why you should start looking beyond our borders.

SG to JB How Businesses Can Leverage Each Other’s Strengths

Singapore businesses can tap into Johor’s lower cost base, while Johor SMEs can scale up with Singapore’s capital and infrastructure.

The takeaway? Instead of competing, we should be collaborating.

Key Insights from the SG to JB Networking Session

1. JS SEZ & RTS Link: More Than Just Infrastructure

• JS SEZ isn’t just about tax incentives. With policies that streamline cross-border logistics, reduce costs, and attract foreign investment, this is the most exciting economic development between SG & JB in decades.
• RTS Link will do more than improve travel—it will redefine talent mobility. Imagine being able to hire Johor-based talent for Singapore HQs or sending Singaporean experts to oversee JB operations with ease and the impact on salaries. This is still a wild card and we are divided on consequences.

2. SG Businesses require mindset shift

How Johor businesses approach scaling & market competition differently from Singaporean SMEs:

• They prioritize agility over perfection. Many Johor SMEs focus on launching fast, testing in-market, and iterating quickly—a stark contrast to the more structured, long-term planning that Singaporean businesses often follow.
• They embrace low-margin, high-volume models. While Singaporean SMEs often aim for premium pricing, many Johor businesses succeed with lean cost structures and mass-market scalability.
• They leverage regional supply chains effectively. With close ties to Malaysia’s manufacturing hubs, logistics networks, and ASEAN partners, Johor SMEs are plugged into larger ecosystems that Singaporean businesses can tap into.

3. SG Businesses Need to Be More “Street Smart” in Regional Markets

Singapore has an incredibly supportive business environment, but that can sometimes create a false sense of security when venturing abroad.

Many Johor entrepreneurs I met navigate business challenges differently—relying less on government support and more on market instinct, strategic partnerships, and cost efficiency.

• Regulatory agility is key. Many Johor SMEs can adapt quickly to changing policies—a skill that Singaporean businesses should develop when expanding into less structured markets.
• Sales & distribution strategies need local adaptation. What works in Singapore won’t necessarily work in JB—consumer preferences, pricing expectations, and business networks differ significantly.

Why More Singapore SMEs Should Explore Johor NOW

The SG to JB business ecosystem is evolving FAST. With JS SEZ & RTS Link, the next 5 years will define who wins in this space.

🚀 Singapore businesses need new growth frontiers. If your market is saturated in Singapore, JB offers new revenue streams with lower entry costs.

🚀 The cost benefits are undeniable. Lower rent, labor, and operational expenses mean higher margins and better scalability.

🚀 Johor businesses are looking for strong partners. If you’re an expert in technology, branding, international expansion, or logistics, Johor SMEs need your expertise to scale.

Let’s talk! If you’re considering cross-border expansion, let’s connect and explore how to leverage JB’s advantages for your business success.