Last updated on December 25, 2025
KUALA LUMPUR: Finland is positioning itself to tap into the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), with a focus on circular economy, sustainable energy, and semiconductors, as Nordic firms look to Malaysia as a strategic entry point into Southeast Asia.
Finland’s ambassador to Malaysia Anne Vasara said interest is already translating into investments, citing SRXGlobal, a Scanfil company, which has committed RM15.8 million to expand and modernise its Johor Bahru facility.
“Some Finnish companies had the opportunity to visit Johor Bahru during Foreign Trade and Development Minister Ville Tavio’s official visit to Malaysia in May. They are exploring potential business opportunities, particularly in the circular economy, sustainable energy solutions, and semiconductors to enhance collaboration in the region. So we hope to see stronger business collaboration between Finland and Malaysia,” Vasara said.
Nordic manufacturing scale meets ASEAN market
Scanfil, headquartered in Finland, is Europe’s largest listed electronics manufacturing services company. Its expansion in Johor reflects how European firms are aligning with Malaysia’s push to strengthen supply chains and attract high-tech manufacturing to the JS-SEZ.
Vasara added that Tavio’s visits to Kuala Lumpur and Penang this year helped build momentum for Finnish investment, as more firms see Malaysia as a gateway to Southeast Asia’s growth corridors.
MEUFTA on the horizon
Finland also expects stronger collaboration under the long-delayed Malaysia–EU Free Trade Agreement (MEUFTA), which Vasara hopes will be concluded smoothly.
“Despite challenges and uncertainties such as US tariffs, we remain focused on green growth, innovation and economic resilience, in line with Malaysia’s aspiration to enhance competitiveness and attract investment,” she said.
Rising trade flows
From January to May 2025, Finland’s exports to Malaysia reached €101 million, while Malaysia’s exports to Finland stood at €69 million.
In 2024, Finnish imports from Malaysia totalled €254 million, compared with Malaysia’s exports to Finland of €32 million.
Malaysia’s key exports to Finland include electrical and electronics equipment, machinery, and paper-based products, while Finnish exports to Malaysia are dominated by machinery, chemicals, and food products.
The JS-SEZ, jointly announced by Malaysia and Singapore in January 2024, is being positioned as a cross-border hub for trade, investment and innovation. For Finland, a global leader in sustainability and circular economy models, it offers a platform to scale green technologies in Asia while diversifying trade links.
