BFM 89.9

HIGHLIGHTS 
Podcast  >  Enterprise  >  Enterprise Explores  >  JS-SEZ: Catalyst for Capital & Financial Innovation?

JS-SEZ: Catalyst for Capital & Financial Innovation?

Wendell Tan, Principal, Arthur D. Little Malaysia

04-Mar-25 12:00

JS-SEZ: Catalyst for Capital & Financial Innovation?

The Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) is being positioned as a potential game-changer for cross-border trade, finance and investment. In this episode of Enterprise Explores, we speak with Wendell Tan, Principal at Arthur D. Little Malaysia, to explore whether the JS-SEZ could reshape financial services, from traditional banking roles to emerging fintech solutions.

They discuss the possibilities for tokenisation, cross-border digital payments, and innovative financing models that could lower barriers to capital access for businesses. Wendell also shares his thoughts on how regulatory sandboxes and a risk-based approach might encourage responsible financial innovation, offering small and medium enterprises (SMEs) a chance to thrive alongside larger corporations.

With a focus on managing currency risks, enhancing supply chain financing, and learning from Singapore’s regulatory playbook, this episode dives into the challenges and opportunities of turning the JS-SEZ’s ambitions into reality.

Produced by: Roshan Kanesan

Presented by: Roshan Kanesan


This and more than 60,000 other podcasts in your hand. Download the all new BFM mobile app.

Categories:  marketseconomypoliticsinternational

Tags:  Johor-Singapore SEZcross-border financeMalaysia-Singapore traderisk-based regulationTokenisationfintechregulatory sandbox





Play / Pause

Listen now : BFM 89.9 -- The Business Station

Today’s Shows



6:00 AM

The 6AM Stretch

Thought-provoking discussions on ideas, people and events shaping our lives.

7:00 AM

World Market Watch

Dilin Wu, Research Strategist, Pepperstone tells us where international markets are heading.

7:15 AM

Morning Brief

We recap global and local headlines from today's papers and portals.

7:30 AM

Morning Brief

Conor Beakey, Head of Latin America Country Risk at BMI, a Fitch Solutions company, discusses the geopolitical stakes for Venezuela and other countries.

7:45 AM

Morning Brief

Chin Chee Seong, National President of the SME Association of Malaysia, discusses the postponement of e-invoicing requirements for SMEs with sales between RM1mil and RM5mil a year.

8:00 AM

The Breakfast Grille

Afzan Lutfi, General Manager of Bolt Malaysia, returns to discuss the changes to, and cost of, ride hailing business in Malaysia.

8:30 AM

Morning Brief

Dr James Dorsey, Adjunct Senior Fellow, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies talks about the protests going on in Iran.

8:45 AM

Morning Brief

(REPEAT) Conor Beakey, Head of Latin America Country Risk at BMI, a Fitch Solutions company, discusses the geopolitical stakes for Venezuela and other countries.

9:00 AM

Opening Bell

(REPEAT) Dilin Wu, Research Strategist, Pepperstone tells us where international markets are heading.

9:15 AM

Opening Bell

(REPEAT) Adrian Loh, Head Of Research, UOB Kay Hian Singapore gives us an outlook on Singapore equities, and strategies investors should be focusing on.

9:35 AM

The Property Show

Dr Chua Yangliang, Head of Research and Consultancy for Southeast Asia at JLL, and Jamie Tan, Managing Director and Head of Valuation and Risk Advisory at JLL Malaysia, discusses the outlook for Malaysia's property market in 2026.

10:05 AM

Open For Business

Private Credit: Necessary Capital or Shadow Banking Bubble? Helicap’s David Z Wang discusses connecting global investors to private debt in SEA amidst a $1.7T global industry boom and the recent collapse of major borrowers like First Brands.

11:00 AM

The Workplace

2026 Salary Outlook: Why a 4.8% Raise Might Not Be Enough. Aon’s Rahul Chawla breaks down why 61% of optimistic firms aren't hiring and how to manage an 18.2% attrition rate in the digital age.

12:00 PM

Enterprise Explores

State of SMEs: Surviving the "Second China Shock." SAMENTA’s Dato’ William Ng reviews a defensive 2025 and why mid-sized firms must pivot from "middlemen" to brand owners to thrive in 2026.

1:00 PM

The Breakfast Grille Repeat

Afzan Lutfi, General Manager of Bolt Malaysia, returns to discuss the changes to, and cost of, ride hailing business in Malaysia

2:05 PM

Discovery Hour

An eclectic selection of BBC shows, curated with variety in mind.

3:05 PM

Earth Matters

4:05 PM

Health & Living

How will children and parents cope with new fears over school violence, social media and mental health in the new year? A psychologist shares tips on how parents can have regular emotional check-ins with their kids.

5:00 PM

Top 5 at 5

A countdown of the 5 biggest stories of the day, to catch you up on all you need to know!

6:00 PM

Big Issue

After TIME Magazine voted AI as their 'Person of the Year' of 2025, we discuss whether the past year has been a turning point for AI, and what 2026 will bring in terms of technological, economical, ethical as well as legal breakthoughs.

7:00 PM

Stories of KL

We interview Naylisa Husni and Asirah Abdul, the founders of Touch Grass, the community movement all about ditching our phones and reconnecting with nature and each other.

8:00 PM

Cruise Control

Daniel Fernandez, Managing Editor, dsf.my