PGCC will benefit Penangites

Developer: Project not just to spur economic growth

PENANG: The RM25bil Penang Global City Centre project is a holistic initiative for sustainable growth that will benefit all Penangites.

The project is not just to spur economic growth, explained Equine Capital Bhd executive chairman Datuk Patrick Lim.

“The role of the developer goes beyond just the construction aspect. We are looking into future growth in all aspects.

“That is why we have engaged the best technical people, local and foreign, to find scientific and methodological solutions.

“We are not only looking at the issues brought up by NGOs, but we are going deeper into many other aspects,” he told The Star on the sidelines of the “NCER: Unleashing Penang's Potentials” at a hotel here yesterday.

Sounding board: Participants attending the PGCC briefing in Penang on Saturday.

Some 300 participants representing various NGOs and interest groups took part.

“We are looking at the broader view, with input from many experts participating in the seminar,” he added.

Among the topics discussed were the economy, research, traffic, public transportation and sustaining mobility. Lim said the seminar was not organised to gain popularity.

“We are here for an open discussion and accountability. There will be more such seminars and public forums in the future,” he said.

The ecological impact of the project would be discussed in subsequent seminars, he added.

“We are committed to Penang. We are prepared to share with everyone. This is our corporate social responsibility,” he said.

The PGCC project that would take up 105.2ha of the current Penang Turf Club, will include the construction of international hotels and a mini-philharmonic centre.

It is expected to create about 30,000 jobs, of which 5,000 would be generated during the construction phase. The entire project is expected to take 18 years.

The project is undertaken by Abad Naluri Sdn Bhd, an associate company of Equine Capital Bhd.

By The Star