SEREMBAN: The launch of GD Holdings Sdn Bhd’s 49-ha Sikamat Industrial Park (SIP) in Seremban is set to further propel the state’s growth and at the same time help facilitate cross-border business operations and access to international markets, especially the vast China market.
GD Holdings’ group deputy executive chairman Datuk Wong Seng Tong said the premier industrial development located within Malaysia Vision Valley 2.0 with an estimated RM320mil in gross development value is also set to redefine industrial parks with its focus on environmental, social and governance (ESG), advanced infrastructure and commitment to sustainability.
“As we break ground on this promising development, we are not just constructing buildings and infrastructure, we are laying the foundation for a thriving industrial hub that will drive progress and prosperity for the region.
“The park, designed to accommodate a diverse range of medium to light industries, also aims to foster international collaboration and economic growth through strategic partnerships, serving as a model for global cooperation,” he said at the ground-breaking ceremony of SIP by state industrialisation committee chairman Teo Kok Seong, who represented Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun.
Also present at the event were GD Holdings group executive chairman Datuk Seri Yeat Sew Chuong, Foshan Municipal Party Committee Standing Committee Member Ding Xi Feng, Foshan Investment Promotion Bureau deputy director Liang Zhaohui and some 50 entrepreneurs and representatives from small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and multinational companies from the Chinese city.
Wong said phase one of the project will encompass 40 units of double-storey commercial shop lots which will include convenience stores, laundrettes, restaurants, banks and grocery stores and 20 units of semi-detached factories with three-storeys of office space, each occupying a land size of 80 ft by 160 ft with a built-up area of 10,000 sq ft.
“These semi-detached factories are ideal for SMEs seeking to quickly establish operations with light equipment or even warehousing. For those requiring more space, units can be combined into larger configurations,” he said.
The developer, he said, will also offer 38 parcels of built-to-suit industrial land tailored for manufacturers needing customised large factories. This mix of facilities suggests the park can accommodate manufacturing, logistics, warehousing and other industrial operations, as well as support commercial businesses.
The SIP will feature renewable energy solutions, efficient rainwater harvesting systems, green recreational spaces and a strong emphasis on digital transformation. It will also have electric vehicle (EV)-friendly infrastructure to meet the growing demand for EVs.
Phase two of the development will include plans for a centralised labour quarters (CLQ) which will be able to house up to 3,000 workers, further demonstrating the group’s commitment to offer safe and conducive living conditions for workers.
Wong said the SIP also had its advantages as it was well-connected to several major highways, was located less than an hour away from the KL International Airport, KLIA2, the upcoming smart container port in Port Dickson and the under construction Kuala Linggi International Port in Melaka.
“Malaysia’s strategic location in South-East Asia provides unparalleled access to major global markets, including Asean, the European market, the United States, India, and 57 Islamic countries around the world.
“By establishing a production hub in Malaysia, investors can leverage our excellent connectivity, advanced infrastructure, and comprehensive free trade agreements to efficiently export their products worldwide,” he said.
In a statement, GD Group added that the SIP also aims to create international collaboration and economic growth through a strategic partnership with Foshan, China.
“Our vision is to strengthen ties between the Seremban Municipal Council and Foshan, serving as a model for global cooperation and providing businesses across Asean and OIC member countries with access to the vast Chinese market.
“Our mission is to develop a state-of-the-art industrial complex that supports seamless cross-border business operations, leveraging robust infrastructure and strategic support to facilitate the flow of South-East Asian products into China, reaching a market of 1.4 billion people,” it added.