Canon Think Big Conference 2025 : Special Economic Zone Innovation Track
At the Canon Think Big Leadership Conference 2025, Mr Toh Ser Khoon, Managing Director of SPI,
delivered an insightful keynote titled “Innovation & Digital Transformation in the SEZ.” His address explored how Special Economic Zones (SEZs) can act as powerful engines for high-tech growth, policy experimentation and regional collaboration—especially in driving Southeast Asia’s next wave of industrial transformation.
Mr Toh highlighted the Singapore–Johor SEZ (JS SEZ) as a timely and strategic platform for innovation, serving as a sandbox for digital transformation. Within this cross-border ecosystem, emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), automation and sustainability solutions are being integrated to reshape industries and strengthen workforce capabilities. He noted that by aligning infrastructure, talent and technology, the JS SEZ can demonstrate how public-private partnerships accelerate innovation while fostering inclusive and sustainable growth.
A key highlight of his presentation was the introduction of the JS SEZ Enabling Platform Partnership, a strategic initiative led by Singapore Polytechnic (SP) and SPI to empower Singapore-based enterprises expanding into the SEZ. The Platform is built upon three core pillars—Business Transformation, Talent Development, and Technology Adoption—and brings together institutes of higher learning, trade associations, and agencies from both Singapore and Malaysia. It aims to address manpower and capability gaps through targeted upskilling and reskilling programmes, supporting innovation and sustainability readiness. One initiative has already trained over 140 Malaysian employees of a Singapore enterprise in sustainability practices, aligning cross-border workforce competencies.
Through a robust network of institutes of higher learning, trade associations and agencies from
both Singapore and Malaysia, the partnership aims to close critical gaps in manpower, upskilling
and reskilling programmes.
For example, one initiative under the partnership has already equipped over 140 Malaysian employees of a Singapore enterprise with training in sustainability, aligning their skills with the Singapore-based workforce.
Mr Toh emphasised that the collaboration between Singapore and Johor presents a unique opportunity to co-develop new business models, test emerging technologies and nurture the next generation of digital-ready professionals. By positioning the JS SEZ as a cross-border innovation corridor, SPI (through the Enabling Platform and its centres of innovation, workforce transformation frameworks and consultancy models) aims to contribute to a dynamic regional network that drives sustainable economic development and strengthens the competitiveness of industries on both sides of the Causeway.
Panel on “Singapore-Malaysia SEZ: Growth, Investment & Innovation” featuring regional leaders.
Following his keynote, Mr Toh joined fellow speakers, Ms Selena Ling, Chief Economist and Head Global Markets Research & Strategy, OCBC and Mr Soo Wei-Chieh, Executive Director, International Business Division, Singapore Business Federation, in the panel discussion, “Singapore-Malaysia Special Economic Zone (SEZ): Growth, Investment & Innovation.” The dialogue explored emerging opportunities, investment pathways, and collaborative frameworks to accelerate SEZ development and drive digital and sustainable transformation across both economies.
The session underlined SPI’s commitment to empowering innovation through education, partnerships and technology-enabled transformation—and it positioned the JS SEZ Enabling Platform as a tangible lever for achieving those ambitions.
