By Santtana Looganaden
i-City to craft a wholesome retail experience for all
From left to right: CPN Thailand, executive vice president of marketing Dr Nattakit Tangpoonsinthana, CPN Malaysia chief operation officer Mr Anthony Dylan, International Trade and Industry second minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan, I-Bhd executive chairman Tan Sri Lim Kim Hong, and I-Bhd deputy chairman Datuk Eu Hong Chew.
Shah Alam: Central i-City Shopping Centre, the most awaited joint venture (JV) project between i-City and Bangkok-based Central Pattana Public Company Limited (CPN) is said to complete by October 2018, said the second minister for international trade and industry Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chua at i-City, yesterday while viewing the progress on Central i-City Shopping Centre.
Ong whom officiated the ground-breaking of the shopping centre last year said with over 55% of Malaysia’s GDP is contributed by domestic consumption, the wholesale and retail sector falls in one of the governments National Key Economic Area (NKEA).
“In the first quarter of 2017, Malaysia’s GDP grew by 5.6% with a 6.5% growth in the construction sector, and 5.8 per cent in the services sector led by the wholesale and retail segment.
i-City developer I-Bhd and Bangkok-based property developer, and investor Central Pattana Public Co. Ltd (CPN) are a 40:60 joint-development worth RM850mil.
In addition, the shopping centre aims to deliver a unique and complete lifestyle experience for everyone to enjoy, locally.
One of its key offerings would stem from the consolidation of two cultures, as mentioned by CPN’s executive vice president of marketing DR Nattakit Tangpoonsinthana.
“We aspire to integrate the strength of Thai hospitality and Malaysian friendliness,” he said.
“Central i-City aims to become the pride of Klang and Shah Alam; a place that offers not merely a myriad of shopping and dining options, but also unique spaces for inspired living,” Nattakit concluded.
In his briefing to the Minister, I-Bhd deputy chairman Datuk Eu Hong Chew said, that i-City was planned as an investment location for the global companies’ focusing on the knowledge and tourism sectors.
Thus, the JV between CPN and i-City should be viewed not just from a property development aspect, but also from the perspective of attracting direct foreign investment into Malaysia.
"The Central i-City Shopping Centre is just the beginning for CPN, and the authorities support will go a long way to attract more investments in Malaysia by the Central Group." Eu concluded.
