Dr. MOHD EFFANDI BIN HJ YUSOFF
Department of Accounting and Finance, Faculty of Management, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Malaysia
Title: Balancing Investment, Sustainability, and Best Practices in the Singapore-Johor Special Economic Zone
Abstract:
The Singapore-Johor Special Economic Zone (SEZ) represents a dynamic partnership aimed at fostering economic growth while adhering to principles of sustainability and best practices. This paper examines the strategic balancing of investment, environmental sustainability, and operational excellence within the SEZ. By integrating advanced infrastructure, innovative regulatory frameworks, and cross-border collaboration, the SEZ has attracted significant foreign direct investment while promoting sustainable development. Key initiatives include green building standards, sustainable urban planning, and environmentally friendly industrial practices, ensuring that economic expansion does not come at the cost of environmental degradation. Furthermore, the SEZ has adopted best practices in governance, transparency, and public-private partnerships, which have been critical to its success. This analysis highlights how the SEZ can serve as a model for other regions seeking to balance rapid economic development with sustainability and operational integrity. The paper concludes with recommendations for enhancing the SEZ’s sustainability efforts, emphasizing the importance of continuous innovation, stakeholder engagement, and adaptive policy frameworks to maintain this delicate balance.
Biography:
Mohd Effandi is a lecturer in finance, initially joining academia after working as an Administrative Executive at Malaysia National Car Distributor. He obtained his Bachelor's from Drexel University and later pursued a Master's in Islamic Economics, Banking, and Finance from Loughborough University, followed by a Ph.D. from Nottingham Trent University. His doctoral thesis focused on the commercialization of academic research in Malaysia.
Effandi’s teaching portfolio spans various finance-related subjects at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, including Financial Management, Entrepreneurial Finance, and Business Planning. He also provides professional training for state government agencies, primarily in economic development.
In research, Effandi's interests center on financial technology (Fintech) and Islamic Finance, exploring areas such as financing technology-based firms, alternative financing, and cryptocurrencies like e-dinar. He supervises numerous Ph.D. and master's students, with several successful graduations and contributions to scholarly articles, academic journals, and book chapters. Currently, he holds an H-index of 6 on Google Scholar, reflecting his scholarly impact.