Few points bind nations as tightly, or expose their weaknesses as starkly, as meals safety. As Malaysia and Singapore rejoice the launch of the Johor-Singapore Particular Financial Zone (JS-SEZ), there’s a uncommon alternative to maneuver past business ambition and sow the seeds of lasting meals safety for each nations.
Formalised at the start of this year, the JS-SEZ has been extensively celebrated as a catalyst for cross-border financial integration. However behind the promise of superior manufacturing and digital finance lies a deeper, extra pressing alternative.
Though meals safety is listed as one of many JS-SEZ’s 11 focus sectors, there’s a actual hazard it might be overshadowed by higher-value industries. To unlock its full potential, the zone’s complete blueprint should embrace sturdy, actionable provisions to advertise the agri-food sector.
Singapore and Malaysia might have ranked a decent twenty eighth and forty first, respectively, within the 2022 International Meals Safety Index, however these figures masks deeper vulnerabilities. Each nations are acutely uncovered to exterior shocks, significantly from climate change.
Singapore, which imports over 90 per cent of its meals from 170 nations, is extremely prone to produce disruptions. The Malaysian rooster export ban of 2022 was a telling episode, forcing Singapore to scramble for options in Indonesia and past. In the meantime, Singapore’s bold “30 by 30” coverage – aimed toward producing 30 per cent of its dietary wants regionally by 2030 – remains to be a considerably distant dream.
