New icon: Nazri chatting with WCT Holdings Berhad chairman Datuk Capt Ahmad Sufian (left) while viewing the model of Paradigm Mall during its launch in Johor Baru.

KUALA LUMPUR: The long-awaited Paradigm Mall, a planned shopping mall in Johor Baru equipped with an ice-skating rink, a cineplex with 16 movie theatres and an indoor rock climbing gym, is expected to open its doors to the public by the end of next year.

Developed by WCT Holdings Berhad, it is set to be the largest mall in the southern city, sprawling over 600,000sq m with six retail floors.

Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Nazri Aziz, who launched the mall here yesterday, said Johor Baru was an untapped area with much potential.

He said the country’s shopping sector was a major contributor to tourist receipts amounting to RM21.6bil out of RM72bil last year, the second largest after accommodation.

“Johor Baru is among the top five shopping areas for foreign tourists, and I hope to work with integrated developments such as Paradigm Mall to promote Malaysia internationally,” he said.

Paradigm Mall will also have a four-star hotel and service residences, serving as an integrated commercial development centre.

It is strategically located along the Skudai highway and is a 10-minute drive from downtown Johor Baru and 20 minutes from Legoland.

At the launch, WCT Holdings signed an agreement with Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC), Village Grocer and Sogo (KL) Departmental Store as anchor tenants for the mall.

GSC is set to invest RM32mil in the latest theatre technologies in the largest cinema in Johor Baru. It is also set to be GSC’s sole presence in the city.