SEREMBAN: SD Guthrie Bhd has signed an agreement with Eco World Development Group Bhd
and NS Corporation to develop 1,195 acres of land in Bukit Pelandok in Port Dickson near here.
The integrated industrial park, to be known as Eco Business Park 7 (EBP7), will have an estimated gross development value of some RM2.95bil.
The project will be carried out in Parcel C of the Malaysian Vision Valley 2.0 development over nine years.
In a joint statement, the parties said EBP7 will leverage on the synergies between the three entities - SD Guthrie's strategically located land, EcoWorld's expertise and experience in industrial park development as well as NS Corp as the state-appointed coordinator and custodian of the MVV2.0 masterplan.
"The project aims to attract local and foreign investments, create high-value jobs and drive the state's economic growth agenda.
"It will also offer access to a proposed Nilai Labu Expressway that will connect the area to key infrastructure and logistics hubs such as the KL International Airport, Port Klang, Nilai and the North South Expressway," they said.
EBP7 will among others have industrial lots, ready built factories and other commercial properties tailored for high impact industries including those in aerospace, electric and electronics, logistics and biotechnology.
EcoWorld will hold 55% of the EBP7 while SD Guthrie Land Ventures Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of SD Guthrie will hold 30% and NS Corp 15%.
Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun who witnessed the singing ceremony said the partnership reflected the strong synergy between the public and private sectors in driving sustainable development in the state.
It was also well aligned with the national agenda outlined under the New Industrial Master Plan 2030 and the National Energy Transition Roadmap and will help position Negri Sembilan as a potential leading industrial hub in the country.
"In the face of current global economic challenges and uncertainties in international trade, it is crucial that we strengthen our domestic economy.
"By focusing on high-value industries, we not only stand to attract quality investments but are also creating more high-skilled jobs," he said.
SD Guthrie is one of the largest landowners in Malaysia and has 16 estates, three palm oil mills and two biogas plants in Negri Sembilan alone.
SD Guthrie group managing director Datuk Helmy Othman Basha said the collaboration was another important step in unlocking the significant value of its strategically located landbank.
"In developing industrial parks as one of our new business verticals, SD Guthrie is continuing our approach of collaborating with more experienced partners in this sector to strengthen our own footprint.
"We are also delighted to be able to contribute to the long term development of Negri Sembilan and the national agenda," he said.
EcoWorld, which has a diverse portfolio that includes residential, commercial and industrial real estate, has some 9,825 acres of landbank across the Klang Valley, Penang and Iskandar Malaysia with an estimated GDV of RM90bil.
EcoWorld president and CEO Datuk Chang Khim Wah said the group was looking forward to the collaboration which will help drive infrastructure development, create more jobs and unlock new avenues for investment and growth in the state.
SD Guthrie group managing director Datuk Mohamad Helmy Othman Basha signed on behalf of the group while EcoWorld was represented by Chang and NS Corp by its CEO Norazhar Musa.
Apart from Aminuddin, present to witness the signing were state secretary Datuk Mohd Zafir Ibrahim, SD Guthrie chairman Tan Sri Nik Norzrul Thani Nik Hassan Thani and EcoWorld founder Tan Sri Abdul Rashid Abdul Manaf.
