Special Economic Zones in the OIC Region:
Learning from Experience
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Development of Jurong Port and Industrial Zone
The development of Jurong Port and Industrial Zone commenced in 1961 with ambitions to
address growing unemployment and ambitions for industrialisation. Jurong was selected as
suitable for port development given its natural deep-water harbour.
The Port project was developed by the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) and was
developed between 1963 and 1965. In 1963, the Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew launched the
development work for the $14 million Jurong Wharf which was designed to allow the largest
ocean-going vessels to berth in the Port.
The Port project was completed in 1966 with a total of five deep water berths. In 1967 work was
then undertaken to convert Jurong harbour into a full industrial port which could accommodate
bulk handling equipment. The EDB also developed Jurong Industrial Estate over this period and
provided factory sites within the estate for either purchase or rental. The industrial estate was
equipped with all amenities and road and rail access.
5.3.2 Spatial Profile
Jurong Island and other free zones in the area benefit from proximity to one of the region’s
largest ports thus can exploit the advantage of easy access to global connectivity and markets.
Singapore is situated amongst other large south Asian export competitors, such as: Malaysia,
Indonesia and the Philippines. The creation of Jurong Port cemented Singapore’s claim as a
regional and global trading entity. This allowed it to compete the lower value semi-
manufactured goods markets and progressively climb up the value chain to the position they are
in now.
Changi International Airport is Singapore’s main hub airport which is approx.49 km away, and
includes the Airport Logistics Park of Singapore (ALPS), the airports Free Trade Zone. This can
be accessed through Singapore’s modern road infrastructure. Numerous cargo operators fly
from here with destinations in the wider region, the MENA and Europe.
Jurong Island is located to the southwest of the main island of Singapore and is linked to the
main island by a 2.3km causeway known as the Jurong Island Highway which was opened in
1999. The spatial components which make up the Jurong FTZ are outlined i below.