Maybank facilitated the submission of letters of intent by Singapore-headquartered clients Alpine Renewables and Edible Oils Pte Ltd, Centurion Corp and Thomson Medical Group Ltd into the JS-SEZ, according to a statement today.

Leaders of Singapore and Malaysia in January launched the zone that links the border region of both countries.

The JS-SEZ is nearly twice the size of China’s Shenzhen — the city bordering Hong Kong, whose success Malaysia is hoping to emulate with the JS-SEZ.

Maybank also said it signed a letter of intent with the economy ministry that outlines its interest in joint efforts to promote the JS-SEZ.

The bank would facilitate financing for critical new technologies and infrastructure development, and provide trade finance solutions, investment guarantees and credit facilities to attract foreign direct investments.