Maybank and SCCCI to Collaborate on Cross-Border Business

The Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCCI) and Maybank Singapore Limited (Maybank) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen cross-border business collaboration and drive investments across Southeast Asia, with a strategic focus on Singapore, Malaysia, and the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ).

The MOU signing was attended by Singapore’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Trade and Industry Gan Siow Huang and other dignitaries.

With Southeast Asia poised to become the world’s fourth-largest economy by 2030 and a projected combined GDP of $4.5 trillion, the region offers significant growth opportunities, particularly in the digital and green economy sectors. In this regard, Malaysia positions itself as a key investment hub for Singaporean businesses due to its diversified economy.

Against this backdrop, Singapore and Malaysia are working collaboratively to advance the JS-SEZ and other bilateral initiatives aimed at strengthening economic growth, improving connectivity, enhancing supply chain integration, and creating employment opportunities, therefore unlocking Southeast Asia’s significant economic potential.

Building on this momentum, SCCCI and Maybank will collaborate on initiatives aimed at promoting economic development, investment, and trade, with the JS-SEZ as a strategic focal point. This will include jointly organising meetings, visits, conferences, workshops, and networking events, while launching new initiatives to advance shared objectives.

In addition, Maybank will provide tailored solutions including green lane financing, trade finance, cash management, and ESG-linked products, and facilitate faster account onboarding for businesses. SCCCI members will also benefit from capacity-building programmes in areas such as sustainability, Halal advisory, and financial services, supported by dedicated advisory services from Maybank’s JS-SEZ Desk. The MoU is expected to benefit an estimated 5,000 SCCCI corporate members.

Strengthens Competitiveness

SCCCI President Kho Choon Keng said that this strategic partnership between SCCCI and Maybank strengthens our members’ competitiveness for the future. In the face of an increasingly complex and rapidly changing business landscape, strong financial capabilities and deep regional insight are critical.

By combining SCCCI’s business network with Maybank’s financial strength, we will help our members and local businesses access cross-border financing, build ESG competencies, and gain valuable market insights. Together, we will open up new economic opportunities and help our members and businesses succeed in Malaysia and across Southeast Asia, he added.

Maybank Singapore CEO Alvin Lee Han Eng said that with a dual-market advantage in Singapore and Malaysia and as one of the earliest proponents of the JS-SEZ, Maybank is committed to supporting businesses with a comprehensive suite of banking solutions, while identifying twinning opportunities for expansion into the zone.

Beyond deepening economic cooperation between Singapore and Malaysia, Maybank also brings the strength of its presence across all 10 ASEAN markets to support SCCCI members in pursuing regional growth ambitions, he added.