Australian industrial businesses explore growth opportunities in Singapore and Malaysia

Delegates met with senior government officials and gained insights from Australian companies operating in the 2 countries.

An outbound investment mission to Singapore and Johor, Malaysia provided Australian industrial businesses with firsthand insights into Southeast Asia’s evolving investment landscape — including opportunities in the emerging Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone (SEZ).

The mission was led by Australia’s Business Champions for Singapore, Shayne Elliott (former CEO of ANZ), and Malaysia, Tony Lombardo (Group CEO of Lendlease). They hosted 17 senior representatives from 16 Australian companies, including manufacturers, logistics operators and infrastructure developers.

The mission, from 24–26 June 2025, was facilitated and delivered by the Southeast Asia Investment Deal Teams, a collaboration between Austrade, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Export Finance Australia.

The program supported the objectives of Invested: Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040, which aims to strengthen commercial ties and position Australian businesses to benefit from the region’s dynamic growth. 

Strategic insights from Singapore and Johor

In Singapore, delegates met with the Economic Development Board (EDB) and JTC Corporation to learn more about Singapore’s world-class productivity, efficient infrastructure and ease of doing business. This helped them better understand pathways for regional expansion and operations.

‘Capital goes where capital is welcomed: and nowhere is as welcoming as Singapore,’ says Mr Elliott.

Delegates also heard from commercial partners on executing successful investment projects. They also visited Makino’s advanced manufacturing facility to gain insights into Singapore’s innovation ecosystem and industrial capabilities. 

In Johor, the delegation met with the Malaysian Government representatives at federal, state and local levels. They included Dato’ Haji Mohd Noorazam, CEO of the Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA), and YB Lee Ting Han, Chairman of the Johor Investment, Trade, Consumer Affairs and Human Resources Committee. Discussions focused on Johor’s investment priorities, and the coordination mechanisms Malaysia has established to attract and facilitate industrial investment under the SEZ framework.

Kirstyn Thomson: The Australian Government is keen to see Australian businesses grow and thrive through global expansion.

Gaurav Johri: Today, we have 16 Australian companies who will be with us for two and a half days, in Singapore and Johor, to investigate investment opportunities in these two markets.

Kirstyn Thomson: There's a new special economic zone that is being created and we're keen to see how Australian companies can benefit, as value chains are remapped across the region and global supply chains are also changing.

Gaurav Johri: And this is just a part of our broader program to boost the level of Australian corporate and institutional investment in Southeast Asia.

Grahame Aston: With the Special Economic Zone that's been introduced between Singapore and Johor, I see that as being a fantastic advantage for anyone that's looking to come up here. The ability to be able to move freely between Singapore and Johor should actually just open up the opportunities for businesses and also movement. So getting staff in and out – it should be a fantastic opportunity for up here and I'm excited to see how it actually does pan out.

Kath Long: Being on this trade mission has been an absolutely amazing opportunity for our company. We've met wonderful people from all walks of life with all range of experience. Everybody's been really, really willing to share their own experiences. It's been reassuring to see our own Australian companies that have already established here in Malaysia and in Singapore.

Grahame Aston: I was actually asked if I could allow the people to come in to my site, but then I was given the opportunity to join the mission and I think it's actually been fantastic and beneficial. You meet so many like-minded people and it's a good place to network as well.

Nick Northcott: It's fantastic to see manufacturing sites. It's fantastic to meet investors. I think the major highlight for me though is there are entrepreneurs who are further on their journey than we are and I am. And to learn from them what's worked, their missteps maybe, the benefits that they've had and also just to see the success stories has been amazing and frankly inspirational. I'd love to be here in 15 years or 20 years and having the same kind of story as Grahame from PPC or others that we've met on this journey.

Gaurav Johri: This is the fifth outbound investment mission that we've brought to the region, and we have a program of many more to come. So if you're an Australian company that's interested in investing in Southeast Asia, please talk to the Southeast Asia Investment Deal team, who are located across the region and can provide you with the support that you require to execute on your investment strategy.

[End of transcript]

Australian companies share insights and experiences

Australian corporate investors in Johor shared their experiences with prospective Australian investors. Walker Corporation shared its long-term approach to delivering high-quality urban developments, while PPC Moulding Services demonstrated the scale of its operation and how it drives profitability and its ability to service a range of global customers.

ResMed and AirTrunk provided insights into scaling advanced manufacturing and data infrastructure capabilities in the region. Lendlease, represented by Australia’s Business Champion for Malaysia, Tony Lombardo, reinforced the company’s enduring commitment to and success in Malaysia’s infrastructure sector.

Gateways to Southeast Asia

The mission highlighted how Singapore and Johor can serve as complementary gateways for Australian businesses expanding into Southeast Asia — combining Singapore’s innovation and policy stability with Johor’s scale, land availability and logistics strengths.

‘Australia is an open, trade-oriented nation, and our community continues to benefit from our position in Asia,’ says Mr Elliott. ‘But there is so much more to be done — and hopefully trips like these inspire more Australian companies to invest in ASEAN and share the growth.’

By bringing together business champions, government partners and Australian industry leaders, the mission provided delegates with practical insights to support long-term engagement in the region.

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