ISKANDAR PUTERI: Sunway Group, in partnership with Equalbase, has marked a milestone with the groundbreaking ceremony of its RM8 billion logistics facility dubbed Equalbase Sunway 103° in a free commercial zone of Sunway City Iskandar Puteri.
The ceremony is witnessed by Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi.
The development will be built on 55 hectares in four phases, with the first phase scheduled for completion in 2025.
103°, named after Johor's geographic coordinates at a longitude of 103 east of the prime meridian, is strategically located in Sunway City Iskandar Puteri, just five kilometres from the Second Link to Singapore.
When completed, the Free Commercial Zone with a gross development value of RM8 billion will be a pivotal hub serving adiverse array of industries, including fast moving consumer goods (FMCG), retail, e-commerce, automotive, pharmaceutical and technology.
Sunway Group founder and chairman Tan Sri (Sir) Jeffrey Cheah said 103° signified a concerted effort towards sustainable development and innovation in the logistics industry, as well as commitment to establish Sunway City Iskandar Puteri as the centrepiece of Malaysia's southern development corridor.
This strategic partnership between Sunway Group, one of Asean's leading conglomerates, and the Singapore-headquartered Equalbase will be the first fully carbon-neutral free commercial zone in Iskandar Puteri.
The integrated warehouses will also be equipped with rooftop solarpanels to generate sufficient electricity, fostering a greener future.
Cheah said the venture will lead to the creation of over 13,000 local employment opportunities, with the potential of generating significant economic spillover impact for Johor, Malaysia and the wider Asean region.
Also present at the ceremony were Johor state housing and local government committee Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor, state investment, trade and consumer affairs committee chairman Lee Ting Han, Iskandar Puteri mayor Datuk Mohd Haffiz Ahmad, Iskandar Regional Development Authority chief executive Datuk Dr Badrul Hisham Kassim, Equalbase founder and executive chairman Christian Bischoff, among others.
Meanwhile, Bischoff said the shared vision between Equalbase and Sunway Group to establish 103° is a testament to collaborative success and a deeper engagement with stakeholders.
"Its not a mere colossal facility…we are committed to sustainable building practices and environmental consciousness.
"Our collaboration with the Sunway Group inbirthing 103°, is not just about erecting a structure; it symbolises a sharedcommitment to sustainable progress, economic prosperity, and fostering enduringpartnerships for a brighter, eco-conscious future," he said.