JOHOR BARU: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak visited the Kilang Bateri lifestyle mall in Jalan Tampoi here tonight and praised its innovative concept, which has provided business opportunities for 200 traders of home-grown premium products.
The prime minister said he was impressed with the idea of the mall, which was converted from a vacant battery factory and agreed with its founders that the place represented the “soul of Johor Baru”.
“The concept of the Kilang Bateri is something very innovative. It was an idea based on the creativity of youths who wanted to set up a place for business that is very interesting.
“Tonight I can see for myself and I am attracted to the brands created by the youths, all of which are marketable,” said Najib in a brief speech upon being welcomed to Kilang Bateri by its management team, led by development manager Johan Arifin Mohd Ropi.
Also present were Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, Johor Baru MP Tan Sri Shahrir Samad and state executive council members.
Kilang Bateri is home to a host of traders specialising in clothing, toiletries, cosmetics, designer bags, beauty products, health products and gadgets.
Services such T-shirts printing, a barber shop and tailoring are also available at Kilang Bateri.