HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 28 January 2026 - The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)'s first International Conference on Digital Twins and Applications (DTA APAC 2026) was held from 10–12 January 2026 at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU). The conference was hosted by the IET, co-hosted by PolyU and Zhejiang University, and sponsored by Yinghe Technology, bringing together over 150 digital twin experts from 16 countries to share emerging research and real-world deployments of digital twins across engineering systems, Artificial Intelligence (AI), simulation-based optimisation, IoT, construction, manufacturing, logistics, and energy.
Delegates participated in over 70 technical presentations and a half-day technical visit to the Centre for Future Construction at the Hong Kong Institute of Construction's Kowloon Bay Campus. The event featured distinguished academicians, including Academician Youxian Sun, Academician Lorenz Biegler, and Academician Asoke K. Nandi, who shared their profound insights into the future of digital twin technology.
Prof. H.C. Man, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, said: "It is particularly meaningful to see so many participants joining us from around the world, all converging here to explore the rapidly evolving field of digital twins and their applications. Digital twins are transforming the way we understand, design and manage complex systems, from manufacturing and smart cities to healthcare, transportation, energy and beyond. They exemplify the integration of the physical and digital worlds, and they embody the spirit of data-driven innovation that is reshaping our societies and economies."
During the DTA APAC 2026, speakers highlighted the latest advancements across policy, academia, and industry. Joseph Lo, Head of Project Strategy and Governance Office, Development Bureau, HKSAR Government, delivered a keynote speech on policies to drive an integrated digital ecosystem for construction and asset management. Academician Lorenz Biegler from Carnegie Mellon University presented academic breakthroughs in Trust Region Filter strategies with digital twins for simulation-based optimisation. Keynotes by Prof. Yan Huang, President of China Three Gorges University and PK Gupta from Dell Technologies further explored the new service for social-economic development and the evolution of digital twin.
Prof. Wenhai Wang, Conference co-chair and Qiushi Distinguished Professor at Zhejiang University, remarked: "In my group, we firmly believe that theory must serve practice. We founded UWNTEK to translate advanced research into deployable industrial solutions; We developed the multi-domain platform NGM to support modelling, simulation, control, and lifecycle management across domains; and we are committed to moving digital twins out of the lab and into factories, logistics networks, and smart infrastructures—where they deliver real value. We also launched the journal Digital Twins and Applications, which was indexed by EI Compendex within just 18 months—a strong testament to the global momentum in this field."
The DTA APAC 2026 conference serves as a premier forum, converging the latest policies, cutting-edge research, and industrial applications from government, academia, and the corporate sector.
Prof. George Q. Huang, Conference co-chair and Chair Professor of Smart Manufacturing at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, expressed: "On behalf of the organising committee, I would like to thank the IET and Zhejiang University, and all the sponsors and members of the committees for all their efforts and commitment to make this conference happen."
Hashtag: #IET #Digitaltwins #HKPolyU #ZhejiangUniversity
https://www.theiet.org
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About The Institution of Engineering and Technology
- We inspire, inform and influence the global engineering community to engineer a better world.
- We are a diverse home for engineering and technology intelligence throughout the world. This breadth and depth mean we are uniquely placed to help the sector progress society.
- We want to build the profile of engineering and technology to change outdated perceptions and tackle the skills gap. This includes encouraging more women to become engineers and growing the number of engineering apprentices.
- Interview opportunities are available with our spokespeople from a range of engineering and technology disciplines including cyber-security, energy, engineering skills, innovation, manufacturing, technology, transport and diversity in engineering.
- For more information, visit www.theiet.org
- Follow the IET on LinkedIn and Instagram @TheIET / @InstitutionofEngineeringandTechnology.
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Singapore-based companies have committed more than S$5.5 billion in Johor since the JS-SEZ memorandum of understanding, while IMFC-J reported 1,000 enquiries linked to RM73 billion in potential investment in March 2026.
JOHOR, MALAYSIA - Media OutReach Newswire - 2 July 2026 - Forest City Special Financial Zone (Forest City SFZ) today issued a progress update on the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), pointing to early implementation milestones in investment facilitation, financial-services incentives and cross-border connectivity.
The JS-SEZ agreement, signed on 7 January 2025, covers approximately 3,588 square kilometres across southern Johor. It comprises nine flagship areas and targets investment in 11 sectors, including manufacturing, logistics, financial services, the digital economy, tourism, education, healthcare and the green economy. Forest City is the designated financial-services flagship within the framework.
"The JS-SEZ has moved beyond framework design and into early-stage execution. Forest City has a defined role in financial services and family-office activity, while the wider zone is building a pipeline across multiple industries," a Forest City SFZ spokesperson said.
Investment pipeline builds across the JS-SEZ
Singapore's Ministry of Trade and Industry said Singapore-based companies had committed more than S$5.5 billion in investments into Johor since the JS-SEZ memorandum of understanding was signed in January 2024. The figure was highlighted at the second JS-SEZ Joint Investment Forum in Singapore in October 2025.
On the Malaysian side, the Invest Malaysia Facilitation Centre Johor (IMFC-J) reported in March 2026 that it had received 1,000 investor enquiries and was facilitating RM73 billion in potential investment.
IMFC-J is a joint federal-state one-stop centre led by the Iskandar Regional Development Authority, Invest Johor and the Malaysian Investment Development Authority.
The figures represent investment commitments and potential project value rather than fully realised capital expenditure, but provide an early measure of the commercial pipeline forming around the economic corridor.
Forest City builds financial-services proposition
Malaysia announced the Forest City SFZ incentive package in September 2024, followed by the gazettement of the Single Family Office (SFO) tax rules in October 2025. Under the scheme, a qualifying SFO vehicle may receive a 0% tax rate on eligible investment income for an initial 10-year period, with a possible extension for a further 10 years, subject to asset, local investment, staffing and operating-expenditure requirements.
The initial phase requires at least RM30 million in assets under management. The wider Forest City incentive framework also includes a 5% corporate tax rate for qualifying global-services and selected relocation activities, while eligible knowledge workers in the JS-SEZ may qualify for a 15% personal income tax rate, subject to prevailing rules and approvals.
According to Forest City data, nine family offices had received approvals under the scheme by June 2026. The Securities Commission Malaysia had previously reported more than 30 expressions of interest and has set a target of RM2 billion in SFO assets under management by the end of 2026.
Separately, Forest City said 593 applicants were approved for the SFZ category of the Malaysia My Second Home programme between 1 October 2024 and 31 March 2026, indicating demand from investors, professionals and long-stay residents alongside the financial-services push.
Cross-border measures support the dual-market model
The JS-SEZ framework is intended to combine Johor's land, industrial capacity and cost base with Singapore's capital, connectivity and business ecosystem. Measures under the bilateral framework include investor facilitation, automated immigration channels, paperless goods clearance and improved transport links.
Singapore has rolled out QR-code immigration clearance across travel modes at the Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints. Travellers should continue to carry their passports, which may still be required for verification and for clearance at the Malaysian border.
The Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System Link is targeted to begin passenger service by the end of 2026. The four-kilometre line will connect Bukit Chagar and Woodlands North in about five minutes and is designed to carry up to 10,000 passengers per hour in each direction during peak periods.
Execution and conversion remain the next test
The World Bank projects Malaysia's economy to expand by 4.4% in 2026, supported by domestic demand, while warning that trade restrictions, global policy uncertainty and weaker external demand remain downside risks.
For the JS-SEZ, the next phase will be measured by the conversion of enquiries and commitments into approved projects, realised investment, skilled employment and operating businesses. Delivery of transport, utilities, talent development and regulatory coordination will also determine the pace at which companies adopt a cross-border operating model.
"The early indicators are encouraging, but the economic impact should be assessed over a multi-year horizon. The priority now is to convert the pipeline into sustainable business activity, jobs and a deeper professional-services ecosystem," the spokesperson said.
Forest City SFZ said it will continue working with public agencies, financial institutions and professional-service providers to support family offices, international investors and companies evaluating Johor as part of their regional growth strategy.
Key figures
| Indicator | Latest stated figure |
| JS-SEZ coverage | Approximately 3,588 km²; nine flagship areas; 11 priority sectors |
| Singapore-linked commitments | More than S$5.5 billion committed into Johor since January 2024 |
| IMFC-J pipeline | 1,000 enquiries; RM73 billion in potential investment as at March 2026 |
| SFO incentive | 0% on eligible investment income for 10 years, with a possible further 10 years |
| RTS Link | Targeted passenger service by end-2026; up to 10,000 passengers per hour per direction |
| Malaysia 2026 GDP outlook | 4.4% growth forecast by the World Bank |
Hashtag: #ForestCity
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About Forest City Special Financial Zone
Located in Iskandar Puteri, Johor, Forest City Special Financial Zone (FCSFZ) is Malaysia's pioneering special financial zone and the financial-services flagship within the Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone. It is positioned to attract financial institutions, multinational corporations, high-net-worth individuals and businesses operating in wealth management, financial technology and global business services.
Its incentive framework includes a 0% income tax rate for qualifying Single Family Office Vehicles for up to 20 years, a preferential 5% corporate tax rate for approved qualifying activities, and a special 15% personal income tax rate for eligible knowledge workers, subject to the applicable conditions, regulatory approvals and prevailing legislation. Forest City also holds duty-free island status, further strengthening its appeal as a regional investment, business and wealth-management destination near Singapore.
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Forest City, Johor
