The Joint Ministerial Committee (JMC) for the Iskandar Development Region (IDR), which met yesterday for its inaugural meeting, has set up four working groups to look into ways of boosting cooperation over the new economic zone in south-west Johor.

The work groups, made up of relevant agencies from both countries, will focus on four key areas: fast-tracking immigration clearance, transport links, tourism cooperation and environmental matters such as river-cleaning. They will identify and prioritise specific projects for collaboration in each of the four areas.

The work groups were announced by Singapore's National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan and Malaysian Minsiter in the Prime Minister's Department Effendi Norwawi at Pulai Springs Resort in Johor Bahru, who jointly chair the joint committee.

The JMC also included Chief Minister of Johor, Dato Haji Abdul Ghani Othman and Mr. Raymond Lim, Singapore's Transport Minister.

The establishment of the JMC on the IDR was first announced by the Prime Ministers of Malaysia and Singapore in Langkawi, Kedah following their meeting in May 2007, with the aim of facilitating cooperation between the two countries in relation to the IDR.

Commenting on the positive outcome of the two-hour meeting, described as "warm and fruitful", Dato Sri Effendi said: "The endorsement of these four Work-Groups sets the foundation for deep and meaningful cooperation between Malaysia and Singapore, focused on realising the potential that the IDR has to offer. It's about facilitating the movement of people, goods and ideas so that we can better complement each other's strengths."

Add Mr. Mah: "The JMC is a concrete follow-up to the Langkawi Retreat in May where our Prime Ministers agreed to explore bilateral co-operation to develop the IDR. Singapore is keen to work with Malaysia on the IDR's development and is confident that a successful IDR will benefit both our countries."

The Economic Planning Unit (EPU) and Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA) are the joint secretariat for JMC along with the Ministry of National Development, Singapore.

The JMC will meet quarterly, while the Work-Groups will meet more regularly to ensure a successful implementation of the initiatives identified. The Work-Groups are slated to meet within the next month and report their progress to the JMC at its next meeting in October.