MELBOURNE, Nov 4 — The government hopes that more Malaysian companies would emulate SP Setia Bhd’s example and venture overseas “not to just enhance our country’s image and international standing, but also boost our nation’s competitiveness”.
Foreign Minister, Datuk Seri Anifah Aman, said SP Setia could not have chosen a more beautiful site to launch Parque, the RM800 million exclusive apartment development here.
“Standing here, giving my short speech under this 150-year-old elm tree in this magnificent park is truly surreal and memorable,” he said at the ground-breaking ceremony here today.
Also present were Malaysian High Commissioner to Australia, Datuk Zainal Abidin Ahmad, the Victorian State Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Ryan Smith, and Consul-General here Datuk Mohd Rameez Yahaya.
Anifah said SP Setia, a leading developer in Malaysia, has also successfully stamped its mark on the international real estate scene with the RM39 billion Battersea Power Station development in London, the largest project by value in Europe.
“I recall telling Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak during the official launch of the Battersea Power Station redevelopment project that it would spur more Malaysian investments overseas.
“Today, here in Melbourne, we are witnessing another milestone for SP Setia — the ground-breaking ceremony for the Parque in one of the nicest spots in Melbourne,” he said.
Anifah said he had been told that 99 per cent of Parque had already been sold, a testament to the SP Setia’s brand.
The foreign minister said SP Setia’s maiden project in Australia in Fulton Lane here, which has a gross development value of RM1.5 billion, was under construction and would be completed in 2015.
Meanwhile, SP Setia President/Chief Executive, Tan Sri Liew Kee Sin, said the company was delighted and pleased to invest here.
“It’s my favourite city, after Kuala Lumpur, and I could easily retire here,” he said. — Bernama
