SINGAPORE Joint Ministerial Committee (JMC) for Iskandar Malaysia met for its seventh working meeting at the Johor State New Administration Centre Kota Iskandar, Nusajaya Johor to discuss progress in co-operation including a decision to set up a co-located customs facility.

The meeting was co-chaired by the Malaysia Minister in the prime minister's office YB Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop and Singapore National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan.

Also present were the Chief Minister of Johor YAB Haji Abdul Ghani Othman, Singapore Transport Minister Raymond Lim and Malaysian Transport Minister YB Seri Kong Cho Ha and senior officials from both countries were also present.

They agreed to carry out a joint engineering study to determine the technical parameters for the Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link to achieve a convenient and cost effective system integrated with transport services on both sides. Both sides agreed to set up a co-located customs, immigration and quarantine facility in Singapore and another in Johor so commuters need only clear immigration once.

Progress discussed since its May meeting included the increase of cross border traffic at the Second Link due to reduction in toll charges on August 1. The number of new Malaysia Automated Clearance System (MACS) users has also increased to more than 30,000 for the first 10 months of 2010.

Both investment corporations have made site visits to Iskandar Malaysia with a project launch timed for May.

A new framework for cross-border sharing of information on lost and stolen passports has also been put in place.

The JMC will meet again in the first quarter of 2011 to review the progress of the joint Work Groups.
(Source:www.schednet.com)