Singapore, 3 July 2025 – In a significant move to bolster regional economic integration and facilitate foreign direct investment (FDI) flows, UOB has signed five Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) with government agencies, and leading industry players in ASEAN and Greater China. These strategic partnerships aim to unlock new cross-border investment opportunities, enhance collaboration across key sectors, and pave the way for more FDI flows into this region.
These MOUs are:
- Between UOB and Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG) aimed at encouraging partnerships between Singapore enterprises and foreign companies seeking to expand in this region
- Among UOB, Federation of Malaysian Manufacturing (FMM) and Singapore Manufacturing Federation (SMF) aimed at facilitating business opportunities in the region
- Between UOB Hong Kong and Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) aimed at establishing a framework of cooperation to strengthen regional ties and promote sustainable growth
- Between UOB China and ZGC International where UOB China will provide complementary financial services and empower cross-border development of companies in ZGC industrial parks
- Among UOB, J-Will Corporation Ltd and Hildrics Capital aimed at jointly developing business opportunities and support Japanese companies entering the ASEAN market
UOB and EnterpriseSG signed an MOU today to encourage partnerships between Singapore enterprises and foreign companies seeking to expand to Southeast Asia in key sectors such as manufacturing, green economy, and digital economy. The collaboration between UOB and EnterpriseSG will encourage collaborations between Singapore enterprises and foreign companies through activities such as networking sessions, starting with markets that UOB has networks in, such as Germany, Japan, and China.
Since 2024, UOB has committed RM11.5 billion in financing to support businesses in the state of Johor and is actively facilitating RM10 billion of FDI flows into the SEZ. Today, the Bank continues its support and signed a landmark tripartite MOU with the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturing (FMM) and Singapore Manufacturing Federation (SMF) which sets out to:
- Promote opportunities: Facilitate and explore business opportunities and cross-border projects in Southeast Asia, Singapore, Malaysia to their respective stakeholders and ecosystem partners.
- Deepen collaboration: Facilitate collaborative business, trade and investment opportunities in Southeast Asia, particularly in Singapore and Malaysia, with the cross-border manufacturing ecosystem as a priority.
UOB will provide complementary advisory services through:
- Advisory services: Provide tailored market entry and in-market advisory services to SMF and FMM members to help them navigate the financial and operational aspects of establishing presence in Singapore, Malaysia and Southeast Asia.
Yang Berhormat Tuan Liew Chin Tong, Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Malaysia, said, “One of the key visions laid out for the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) is to establish a better integrated and resilient supply chain ecosystem across the Malaysia-Singapore border. Both Johor and Singapore can leverage on our complementary capacities, join hands to drive innovation and enhance productivity. This MOU between FMM, SMF and UOB is therefore timely and propitious to align the strengths of Malaysia and Singapore for greater regional economic growth in the current global trade climate.”
Ms Eunice Koh, Assistant Managing Director, Southeast Asia & China, Enterprise Singapore, said: “Southeast Asia remains a bright spot for businesses with its growing population and economy. We see emerging opportunities for our enterprises to collaborate with foreign companies for their expansion into Southeast Asia from Singapore. Enterprise Singapore is pleased to work with strategic partners like UOB who have a wide network of foreign clients and can match them effectively with our enterprises to explore growth opportunities in the region.”
Mr Wee Ee Cheong, Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, UOB, said, “ASEAN remains an attractive destination for businesses despite global tensions. As opportunities arise from the rewiring of global supply chains, trade flows within ASEAN and between China and ASEAN are expected to increase. Through UOB’s network of FDI advisory centres across key Asian cities and our strategic partnerships, we help businesses enter new markets and seize opportunities in the region.”
Three other MOUs were also signed, facilitating FDI flows into ASEAN from around Asia, including Japan and Greater China. These MOUs signal growing investor confidence in ASEAN’s economic trajectory, reaffirming UOB’s commitment to driving sustainable growth across the region amidst an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape.
UOB Hong Kong signed an MOU with Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC). This marks the first MOU that HKTDC has signed with a Singapore-based bank aimed at establishing a framework of cooperation to strengthen regional ties and promote sustainable growth through strategic initiatives that enhance connectivity, promote trade, and foster inclusive development across the Greater Bay Area, including Hong Kong, and ASEAN. This will be achieved through leveraging mutual expertise to enhance cross-border collaboration, match FDIs with local value chains, strengthen financial connectivity and build business capacity for inclusive and competitive regional growth.
A fourth MOU was signed with ZGC International, where UOB China will provide complementary financial services and empower cross-border development of companies in ZGC industrial parks:
- Financial solutions: Offer comprehensive financial solutions, such as working capital loans, cash pooling and cash management, supply chain solutions and investment banking services to facilitate the companies’ overseas expansion plans into Hongkong, ASEAN and other overseas markets.
- Facilitate collaboration: UOB and ZGC International will advance the global expansion of companies in the ZGC industrial parks by strengthening supply chain resilience and promoting a sustainable and innovation-led growth. Leveraging UOB’s ASEAN expertise and ZGC International’s leadership in the industrial park sector, the collaboration will drive cross-border business cooperation, enhance value chain connectivity and create more employment opportunities across ASEAN and China.
UOB also signed an MOU with J-Will Corporation Ltd and fund management company Hildrics Capital aimed at jointly developing business opportunities and support Japanese companies entering the ASEAN market. UOB will in turn, provide financial solutions such as cash management and financing facilities.
These MOUs signify the Bank’s commitment to the region as it continues to contribute to the region’s economic growth in a sustainable manner.
Annex — Spokespersons Quotes
| MOU with Hong Kong Trade Development Council | Ms Adaline Zheng, CEO of UOB Hong Kong, said: “This partnership with HKTDC underscores our strong commitment to driving regional growth and connectivity. By leveraging our extensive ASEAN network, professional financial expertise and well-established foreign direct investment (FDI) advisory capabilities alongside HKTDC’s strengths in trade promotion, we aim to unlock new opportunities for businesses and deliver innovative and sustainable solutions that fuel trade and development. Together, we empower businesses to thrive in an increasingly interconnected and dynamic economic landscape.” Ms Vivienne Chee, Director of Singapore, HKTDC, said: “We are delighted to partner with UOB Hong Kong in this strategic initiative to strengthen GBA-ASEAN collaboration. This MOU reflects our shared vision of fostering inclusive and sustainable economic growth through deeper trade and investment ties. By riding on our respective strengths, we aim to enable businesses to seize emerging opportunities and navigate the evolving global landscape with confidence.” |
| MOU with SMF and FMM | Tan Sri Dato’ Soh Thian Lai, President of the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturing (FMM), said, “This collaboration sets the stage for more cross-border success stories under the Johor-Singapore SEZ. FMM is committed to supporting our members in leveraging this important bilateral initiative to build stronger regional connections. With the support of UOB and SMF, our manufacturers, especially SMEs, will be better equipped to pursue growth opportunities, foster innovation, and become integral players in ASEAN’s evolving industrial landscape.” Mr Lennon Tan, President of the Singapore Manufacturing Federation (SMF), said, “ASEAN’s competitiveness rests on how quickly our manufacturers can innovate, scale and connect. Through this partnership with UOB and our Malaysian counterpart FMM centred on the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone, SMF will help businesses to seize cross-border opportunities, accelerate innovation, and strengthen supply chain resilience. Together we will open clearer paths to capital, talent and technology, enabling sustainable growth and keeping the Malaysia–Singapore manufacturing corridor competitive and future-ready.” |
