

Bio-City, Ayer Keroh, Malacca
It was reported in the local papers recently that the chief minister of Malacca Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam announced the proposed setting up of a RM450 million integrated biotherapeutics plant in Alor Gajah with the help of foreign investors that will soon boost the state significantly and to seal its position as a leading biotechnology state in the country. Malacca, which is a state rich in historical significance, may soon acquire a new fame as efforts to promote it as a pr


Iskandar Malaysia (Part 4 - The Southern Development Corridor)
The Malaysian government has approved incentives for developers and investors involved in the development of the 2,217 sq km Iskandar Malaysia (formerly Iskandar Development Region) which was launched on 4th November 2006. Iskandar Malaysia, for the purpose of comparison, is about 48 times that of Putrajaya (46.19 sq km) and about 3 times the size of Singapore (739 sq km) and to-date, the project had achieved 70% (RM33 billion) of the total target value and the prime minister


Danga Bay, Johor
Ekovest Bhd had, in July 2007, proposed to purchase the entire stake in Danga Bay Sdn Bhd and had signed a RM1.1 billion sale and purchase agreement with Credence Resources Sdn Bhd and DBSB for that purpose. The price tag of RM1.1 billion translated to roughly RM105 psf, which was substantially higher than the RM65 psf Aeon Co (M) Bhd paid for in February 2007 for a parcel of land in the 23,875-acre Bandar Nusajaya, Johor. The sale would be financed via the issuance of new sh

Iskandar Malaysia (Part 3 - The Southern Development Corridor, Formerly Iskandar Development Region)
The Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi recently announced that the Cabinet has approved incentives for developers and investors involved in the development of the 2,217 sq km ISKANDAR MALAYSIA (formerly Iskandar Development Region) which was launched on 4th November 2006. For the purpose of comparison of size,ISKANDAR MALAYSIA is about 48 times that of Putrajaya (46.19 sq km) and about 3 times the size of Singapore (739 sq km). It was also reported in the news re


Iskandar Malaysia (Part 2 - Iskandar Development Region)
Under a proposed master plan spanning a period of 15 years, the RM19.2 billion Danga Bay project will be turned into an integrated waterfront city within the Iskandar Development Region. The development of two new components, Sanctuary Villas and Danga Bay Service Residence & Resort Hotel had also taken off in October and November 2007. RM330million Sanctuary Villas, located on 70 acres on an island, will comprise bungalows and waterfront villas. The RM536million Danga Bay Se


Iskandar Malaysia, (Part 1- Iskandar Development Region)
The 2,217 sq km Iskandar Development Region or IDR, about 48 times that of Putrajaya (46.19 sq km) and about 3 times the size of Singapore (739 sq km), was launched on 4th November 2006. Recently the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has launched a book detailing the incentive packages for the IDR. The incentives include the following: a 10-year income tax exemption on income from the disposal of any right in or over land within the approved node, income tax exe


New Developments in Penang
Penang Monorail Project Penang, supposedly located within the government’s NCER (Northern Corridor Economic Region), is in the limelight again this time because of potential spin-offs from the implementation of the NCER programme under the 9th MP (Malaysia Plan 2006-2010). Under the government’s NCER programme, the Penang Monorail and Penang 2nd Bridge projects are two of the most significant projects in this part of Peninsular Malaysia. The Universiti Sains Malaysia Institut


The Upcoming Northern Development Corridor (Part 2)
Penang is in the limelight again, this time because of potential spin-offs from the implementation of the NCER (Northern Corridor Economic Region) programme under the 9th MP (Malaysia Plan 2006-2010). Under the government’s NCER (Northern Corridor Economic Region) plan, the Penang Monorail and Penang 2nd Bridge projects are two of the most significant projects in this part of Peninsular Malaysia. The Universiti Sains Malaysia Institute of Graduate Studies (USM-IGS) deputy dea


The Upcoming Northern Development Corridor (Part 1)
Penang, comprising the island (area: 293 sq km) and Seberang Prai (area: 760 sq km) on the mainland, has long been a favourite among tourists and, over the last 10 years, has welcomed more than 3 million visitors per year, out of which more than 1 million are international visitors, with 37% being repeat visitors. Tourists are attracted to Penang’s beaches, its rich cultural heritage, a large variety of local delicacies and its cost advantage. Due to these factors, Penang is