Singapore based UOB Group has ssigned an MOU with Invest Johor, the state's investment agency, to drive investment opportunities into the upcoming Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (SEZ).

At the same time the banking group also signed a second MOU with China's Lingang Group, an industrial park operator with more than 18,000 tenants across China to facilitate Lingang Group and its tenants to expand into Southeast Asia.

Under the partnership with Invest Johor, UOB will collaborate with the state investment agency to jointly promote and facilitate investment opportunities into the Johor-Singapore SEZ. This will be done by targeting high value, high technology and high impact investments from priority sectors such as electrical and electronics, advanced manufacturing and engineering, digital economy, green economy, life science and med-tech, electric vehicles, aerospace and port and logistics.

Notably, a "green lane" will be jointly established, with UOB designated as a partner to assist with foreign direct investments in these prioritised sectors to accelerate their investments. UOB will also provide advisory and banking services to companies looking to invest in Johor as part of the MOU.

UOB Deputy Chairman and CEO Wee Ee Cheong said, "UOB is pleased to work with like-minded partners to support businesses in navigating the diverse ASEAN region. Our strategic partnerships with regional government investment agencies and trade associations have successfully connected enterprises such as Lingang Group to cross-border investment opportunities, benefitting businesses across multiple sectors. We remained committed to serving as an effective gateway to the region for companies expanding into the region."UOB is the only bank to have signed MOUs with all the government investment agencies in the key ASEAN markets.