Top 10 Iskandar News in 2012

Top 10 Iskandar News in 2012

A number of remarkable milestones and achievements have been materialized in Iskandar Malaysia in year 2012. In fact, since the southern economic corridor was launched 6 years ago, 2012 was regarded as tipping point year for Nusajaya (Flagship Zone B), one of the 5 key Flagship Zones in Iskandar. Here are the pick of the 10 most significant news in Iskandar for year 2012.

1. Iskandar Malaysia hits RM100 billion investment target

Iskandar Malaysia has surpassed the target investment of RM100 billion as cumulative committed investments has reached RM105.14 billion in various sectors with 42 per cent being realised as at end-November 2012.

2. Official Opening of Legoland Malaysia, the 1st Legoland Theme Park in Asia

Legoland Malaysia, the sixth Legoland Park in the world, opened its doors to public on 15-Sep-2012. The first international theme park in Malaysia has more than 40 rides, shows and attractions spread over 76 acres. A Water Park and Hotel are already under construction for opening in 2013 and 2014.

3. Official Opening of Puteri Harbour Family Theme Park

Themed Attractions and Resorts Sdn Bhd has officially launched Puteri Harbour Family Theme Park on 6-Dec-2012 offering unique playtime experiences for the whole family with SANRIO HELLO KITTY TOWN, The Little Big Club and LAT’s Place. Since opening its doors on 26th October, SANRIO HELLO KITTY TOWN and The Little Big Club have received overwhelming response from visitors.

4. The Opening of Marlborough College Malaysia

On 23rd August 1843 Marlborough College in the UK opened its doors to welcome its first cohort of pupils. Almost 169 years to the day, the first overseas campus of Marlborough College has opened in Iskandar Malaysia on 27-Aug-2012. 350 pupils joined members of the Common Room for the first day of school.

5. Iskandar Malaysia is ranked 4th best investment destination

The Financial Times-owned fDI magazine has ranked Iskandar Malaysia as the fourth best investment destination of Global Free Zone of the Future 2012/2013, behind the Dubai Airport Free Zone, the Dubai International Financial Centre and Shanghai’s Waigaoqiao Free Trade Zone.

6. Iskandar Malaysia Hosted 8th World Islamic Economic Forum (WIEF)

Heads of States, global leaders and delegates from all around the world converged in December 2012 at the8th World Islamic Economic Forum (WIEF) in support of greater collaborations between Muslim and non-Muslim communities. Held in Johor Bahru, Malaysia on 4-6 December 2012, the three-day forum was officially opened by The Honorary Dato’ Najib Tun Abdul Razak, Prime Minister of Malaysia and Patron of the WIEF Foundation.

Iskandar Malaysia is proud to be the host as for the first time the forum been held outside the capital city of the host nation since the inaugural forum in 2005. The first WIEF was held in Kuala Lumpur in 2005, followed by Islamabad (2006), Kuala Lumpur (2007), Kuwait City (2008), Jakarta (2009), Kuala Lumpur (2010), and Astana, Kazakhstan (2011). Themed ‘Changing Trends, New Opportunities’, the annual event attracted more than 2,100 delegates, and 120 speakers and artists from 86 nations exceeding the initial target of 1,500 delegates from 50 nations. Jointly hosted by the Government of Malaysia and Government of the State of Johor, the 8th WIEF also celebrates the tipping point of Iskandar Malaysia signaling the completion of major projects under its first phase of development.

7. Singaporean billionaire Peter Lim to build RM3.5 Billion Motorsports City in Iskandar

A partnership between Singaporean billionaire Peter Lim’s FASTrack Autosports Pte Ltd and Malaysia’s UEM Land Berhad was inked in December 2012 to build a RM3.5 billion Motorsports City in Johor’s Iskandar region. A special purpose company Crimson Carnival Sdn Bhd is set up for this JV with 70% own by FASTrack Autosports and 30% by UEM Land.

Located at Gerbang Nusajaya and spreading over 270 acres of land, this Motorsports City is an integrated multi-purpose hub that houses a 4.5 km Grade 2 GT double loop circuit, a 1.2 km kart circuit and off-road circuit for drag racing, karting, motorcycling, truck racing and off-road expeditions. There will be car showrooms, a driving school, bonded warehouses, R&D centres, museum, weekend homes, a clubhouse, a car bar, and other F&B and entertainment outlets. Other facilities for corporate events, conferences, and motoring exhibitions will also be included in the development.

A long-term development expected to span 10-15 years, the Motorsports City will create about 8.25 million sq ft of GFA, promising over 5,000 new job opportunities. Over time, land will be allocated for the construction of a mini-township, comprising houses, apartments, shopping malls and other amenities, to cater to those living and working in the Iskandar region.

This will be Mr Lim’s second project in the Iskandar region after Vantage Bay, a RM10 billion integrated development in Johor Bahru. The waterfront project is a gated city with its own hospital to be managed by Singapore’s Thomson Medical Hospital, as well as apartments, hotels, shopping malls, convention centres and office buildings.

8. Malaysia and Singapore To Jointly Develop An Integrated Tech Park in Iskandar

Singapore-based Ascendas Land International Pte Ltd has entered into a joint venture agreement with UEM Land Berhad in October 2012 to develop an integrated eco-friendly tech park in Nusajaya. Ascendas and UEM Land will hold 60% and 40% stakes in the joint venture respectively. With a projected investment value of S$1.5 billion (RM3.7 billion), the integrated tech park is located at Gerbang Nusajaya within the Nusajaya regional city in Iskandar Malaysia. The 519-acre freehold tech park is the closest industrial site to Malaysia-Singapore Second Link checkpoint and directly accessible by a comprehensive network of main roads and highways to major international airports and seaports. When fully completed, it is expected to host a business community of over 34,000 people.

9. Coastal Highway Fully Operational

The Coastal Highway which links Johor Bahru and Nusajaya was officially opened to motorists in April 2012. The 14.6km toll-free expressway, built at a cost of RM900 million, could accommodate 90,000 to 120,000 vehicles at one single time. The highly anticipated Coastal Highway cuts travelling time between Johor Bahru City Centre and Kota Iskandar to only 12 minutes.

10. Eastern Dispersal Link Fully Operational

The RM977 million Eastern Dispersal Link (EDL) Expressway, one of the most eagerly awaited expressway projects in Johor Bahru, was officially opened to motorists in February 2012. The 8.1km expressway connects the end of North-South Expressway at Pandan to the Sultan Iskandar Complex, i.e. the new Custom, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) Complex in the Johor Bahru City Centre. The journey now only takes about 10 minutes, compared to over 45-minutes using the existing Tebrau Highway. EDL has indeed been the tipping point for the transformation of Johor Bahru City Centre.

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Project introduction
Thematic industrial park based on the clustering concept capitalizing on proximity to two airports and four seaports.

Project objective
To be an industrial zone with a unique green industrial park concept that meets the current demand for environmentally sustainable development that complements the economy and quality of life.

Developer
UEM LAND BERHAD

Land Area
1,307.31 acres

Location
SiLC Nusajaya is located to the North-West of the Central Planning Area

Development Components
Value chains of integrated “clean” industrial clusters comprising 3 major areas:

Advanced Technologies i.e. nano-technology, bio-technology

Nutrition and Health

Value Added Logistics

Accessibility
SiLC Nusajaya is directly accessible from the Linkedua Highway via the Pulai Interchange, as well as via the B5 Road from the Gelang Patah Interchange. Development Period The overall development will be developed in phases spanning up to 10 years.

Development Progress
Development planning has been completed
Earthwork commenced June 2006
Nutrition and Health
Commenced marketing effort with Singapore-based advanced technology companies, as well as multinational companies in the advanced technology / nutrition and health / value-added logistics industries

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