JOHOR BARU: Johor’s economy will see a significant recovery with the reopening of the land border between Singapore and Malaysia, say business groups.

       Johor Indian Business Association president P. Sivakumar said with the Causeway and Second Link set to reopen on April 1, this was great news for local businesses.

       “Thank god it is finally happening, and I believe that each and every business is preparing to welcome back visitors from Singapore.

       “Now the focus will be on the new state government’s leadership and whether they can grab this opportunity to ensure local businesses get the spill-over effect of the border reopening.

       “This will depend on the direction given by the new state government in terms of policies, so we will have to wait and see,” he said.

       Johor South SME Association adviser Teh Kee Sin said this was good news for local small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which have been struggling over the last two years due to the border closure.

       “The six million people across the Causeway are very important to our economy due to their higher spending power.

       “Malaysians who are earning in Singapore dollars will also help revive businesses as they would come back and spend here,” he added.

       Teh, however, said he was concerned that the reopened border would entice more Malaysians to find employment in Singapore, and this could create a manpower shortage here.

       “We know this will happen because those who lost their jobs during the border closure will surely want to return and work there.

       “But in general, the border reopening is something we have been looking forward to,” he added.

       Johor Tourist Guides Association chairman Jimmy Leong said many greeted the announcement by the two countries with great relief.

       “We hope the opening will gradually generate (enough) business to maintain operating sustainability,” he added.