3rd Singapore Green Dialogue – The Green Growth Triangle
Investment and Connectivity Could Drive New Growth Across Singapore, Johor and the Riau Islands
3 November 2026 – Growing investment and closer economic links between Singapore, Johor and the Riau Islands could create new opportunities for a more connected and competitive regional economy, with advanced manufacturing, digital infrastructure and green industries emerging as key areas for growth.
These opportunities were a key focus of the 3rd Singapore Green Dialogue, convened today by the Singapore Institute of International Affairs (SIIA), which brought together policymakers, business leaders, and experts from across the region.
The Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), together with growing business interest in Batam, Bintan and Karimun and wider opportunities in Sumatra, is creating new momentum for closer economic integration. Discussions examined how the different economies can build on their complementary strengths, improve connectivity, attract investment and talent, and ensure that new growth is both commercially viable and sustainable.
Themed “The Green Growth Triangle”, the Dialogue brought together more than 110 policymakers, business leaders and experts to examine how Singapore, Johor, and the Riau Islands can leverage their complementary strengths, attract and sustain investment, deepen energy cooperation, and translate emerging opportunities into commercially viable projects.
“The important part of interdependence is growth. If it is managed well, the dynamics of this triangle can be very positive for all partners,” Mr. Tay said. “But sustainability and environmental issues must also be managed — as the haze shows, interdependence can otherwise turn negative.”
The discussions come as major renewable energy projects are taking shape around Singapore. At the recent Singapore International Energy Week, a financing framework was established for the proposed Southern Johor Renewable Energy Corridor. Such initiatives illustrate how rising energy demand can create new investment opportunities for investment and cross-border energy cooperation.
The Green Growth Triangle offers an opportunity for Singapore, Johor, and the Riau Islands to jointly develop new energy sources, turn growing energy demand into new investment opportunities, and advance greener, more integrated economic growth.
“If closed borders showed us the costs of separation, greater connectivity could show us the benefits of cooperation,” Mr. Tay said.
Recent figures show that the JS-SEZ has attracted US$21.8 billion in approved investments, with approximately 45 per cent already implemented.
Powering Growth and Connectivity for a New Era
Mr. Pahala Mansury, Managing Director, Global Relations & Communications, Danantara Indonesia, highlighted opportunities for regional and global cooperation to mobilise capital, strengthen value chains, and advance Indonesia’s industrial development. He noted Southeast Asia’s growth potential and opportunities for long-term investment, including through regional economic cooperation in the Green Growth Triangle.
“Southeast Asia has the potential to become one of the world’s most dynamic growth centres, driven by long-term capital and closer regional cooperation. Indonesia brings industrial strength and investment opportunities, while our partners offer capital, expertise and connectivity. As an anchor investor, Danantara Indonesia is ready to invest alongside partners to build new industries and create jobs. We look forward to advancing these discussions at the New Asia Forum (NAF) in Bali this December,” said Mansury.
Johor-Singapore – From Ambition to Implementation
Hon. Dato’ Ir. Hasni Bin Mohammad, Economic and Investment Advisor to the State of Johor, discussed the next phase of the JS-SEZ, including its implementation, opportunities to strengthen local capabilities and the development of a more integrated cross-border economy.
“The next frontier to be sustainable will be less about developing new technologies but more of integrating existing innovations at scale,” said Dato’ Hasni.
Unlocking Investment in the Green Growth Triangle
A panel featuring representatives from the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Singapore, Equinix Singapore, FedEx, and Maybank Singapore explored emerging investment opportunities across the Growth Triangle, particularly in advanced manufacturing, digital infrastructure and green industries.
Discussions explored how Singapore, Johor, and Riau Islands can build on their respective strengths to attract new investment opportunities, strengthen regional connectivity, create a more integrated and competitive economic ecosystem and ensure that investments translate into sustainable, long-term growth.
Powering the Green Growth Triangle
As Singapore, Johor, and the Riau Islands attract more energy-intensive industries, including advanced manufacturing and data centres, access to reliable, affordable and low-carbon energy will be critical to sustaining growth. Renewable energy development and growing momentum behind cross-border electricity trade (CBET) offer opportunities to meet rising electricity demand while strengthening regional energy connectivity.
A second panel featuring representatives from Energy Studies Institute at the National University of Singapore, Huawei International, International Energy Agency Regional Cooperation Centre, and Singapore Energy Interconnections examined how deeper energy cooperation can support the Green Growth Triangle, focusing on the challenges and opportunities of developing reliable and resilient energy systems across the region.
The discussions highlighted the importance of technological innovation, closer policy coordination, and cross-border partnerships in advancing electricity interconnections, integrating renewable energy, and translating regional energy ambitions into practical cooperation to build a more connected regional economy.
The 3rd Singapore Green Dialogue was supported by Huawei International and Coca-Cola ASEAN & South Pacific.
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About the Singapore Green Dialogue
Launched in 2024, the Singapore Green Dialogue (SGD) is SIIA’s flagship platform bringing together regional policymakers, business leaders and experts to discuss sustainability challenges and opportunities facing Singapore and the wider region.
About SIIA’s Sustainability Programme
Our Sustainability Programme began in 1997 when we organised Singapore’s first haze dialogue with the Singapore Environment Council on the critical haze problem. The programme has evolved to address a broader range of sustainability issues, including agribusiness and forestry supply chains as well as the leveraging of green finance to advance ASEAN’s climate action and carbon neutrality goals.
About the Singapore Institute of International Affairs (SIIA)
Insights • Networks • Access
Established in 1962, the Singapore Institute of International Affairs (SIIA) is a not-for-profit and independent think tank committed to producing policy analysis, fostering in-depth dialogues and bridging gaps between policymakers, private sector decision-makers and experts to shape public policy and social responses. Centred around ASEAN-focused themes, the institute aims to deliver policy analysis in international affairs and on issues driving environmental sustainability. As a founding member of the ASEAN-ISIS (ASEAN Institutes of Strategic and International Studies) network since 1988, we engage in “Track II” diplomacy, fostering dialogue among stakeholders in our region and beyond. Visit us at www.siiaonline.org.
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(L-R) Pahala MANSURY, Managing Director, Global Relations & Communications, Danantara Indonesia; Simon TAY, Chairman, SIIA (Photo: SIIA)
(L-R) Pahala MANSURY, Managing Director, Global Relations & Communications, Danantara Indonesia; Simon TAY, Chairman, SIIA (Photo: SIIA)
(L-R) Dato HASNI Bin Mohammad, Economic and Investment Advisor to the State of Johor; Simon TAY, Chairman, SIIA (Photo: SIIA)
Panel 1 (L-R) – Riena ASTUTY, Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Singapore; LEONG Yee May, Equinix Singapore; ANG Choo Pin, FedEx; Helena OOI, Maybank Singapore; Manu BHASKARAN, SIIA Council Member (Photo: SIIA)
Panel 2 (L-R) – Peter GOVINDASAMY, NUS; Joycelyn SEOW, Singapore Energy Interconnections; Nate LUO, Huawei International; Peerapat VITHAYASRICHAREON, International Energy Agency Regional Cooperation Centre; Cheryl CHEN, SIIA Council Member (Photo: SIIA)
