Medini sees demand from SMEs

KUALA LUMPUR: There is a clear demand from small and medium enterprises, particularly from Singapore, for affordable space in Medini Iskandar, said Medini concession holder Global Capital & Development (GCD) chief executive officer Keith Martin.

Source from (Business Times): http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/spcny1/Article/
Published: February 12, 2013

This is not only a positive driver for development at Medini, Iskandar Malaysia but will also spur the growth of the Malaysian economy as it enters the list of high-income nations.

He said that GCD's next focus is to further engage in discussions with business park operators on opportunities to fund an SME business park for a wide range of business sectors and services.

GCD, he said, is seeing more investors, especially from Singapore, who are showing a keen interest in buying the three segments or development zones of Medini, namely Medini Business, Medini Living and Medini Lifestyle.

Recently, Medini got a further boost of S$1 billion (RM2.5 billion) investment from Singapore property developer Link Holdings Pte Ltd to develop the Media Village @ Medini Iskandar.

Martin said Singaporean investors' interest in the development of Iskandar Malaysia is expected given its proximity with Singapore, which is just a 40-minute drive from Singapore's Central Business District via the Tuas second link, and its good transport links with Kuala Lumpur.

"We also see the development of Medini as being complementary to both Singapore's growth and an expansion opportunity for Malaysian companies based in Kuala Lumpur," he said in an email interview.

He said Singapore and Kuala Lumpur-based companies can enjoy a cost-effective blended solution and dual platform for business, one in Medini where they can expand and base their support services given the more affordable business and living space; and the other in Singapore or Kuala Lumpur.

Martin said for Singapore-based companies, this may be a suitable option, especially in light of concerns expressed about the rising business costs and tightening of foreign manpower policy in the country as well as the recent property cooling measures deployed by the Singapore government.

"In this way, we see opportunities for future joint benefits and regional growth prospects for both Malaysia and Singapore."

Martin said GCD is committed to continue partnering quality investors to transform Medini into a destination city of global significance.

To date, GCD has secured a sizeable amount of committed investments in Medini. Iskandar Malaysia had until December last year recorded total cumulative investment of RM105.14 billion, exceeding the initial target of RM10 billion.