SEPANG: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak launched the Mitsui Outlet Park (MOP) KLIA Sepang today.
He said the opening of the factory outlet was timely as the surrounding areas had been experiencing good growth in recent years, even in towns not part of the Greater Klang Valley such as Nilai and Seremban.
"Its opening will help cater to the needs resulting from this rapid development. It is also strategically positioned to take advantage of Malaysia's increasing tourist arrivals.
"In 2014, we had about 27 million arrivals into the country representing a 6.7 per cent growth from 2013. Of this number, 17 million arrived via KLIA alone.
"In this respect, we should be making plans to expand further as the growth rate is impressive," he said.
The prime minister said the opening of the MOP KLIA Sepang represents Malaysia's ever persevering spirit for growth and innovation.
The collaborative effort between Malaysia Airports and Mitsui Fudosan under their joint venture company MFMA Sdn Bhd further underscored Malaysia's bilateral relationship with Japan which was warm and longstanding with strong political and economic ties, said Najib.
Having premium outlets in Iskandar, Sepang, Penang, he said, could contribute as much as RM900 million to Malaysia's GDP and create 1,500 jobs by 2020.
The MOP KLIA Sepang is the first Mitsui Outlet Park to feature a flight check-in system and flight information displays within the premises of the outlet mall.
Visitors can expect between 30 and 70 per cent discounts at the factory outlet.