Iskandar Investment Berhad showcases Malaysian investment opportunity at Cityscape Dubai 2008

Three times the size of Singapore, Iskandar Malaysia spans over 2,217 sq km and is a mixed use development planned for completion in 2025. The expected investment of $110bn is split between an initial start-up of $13bn from 2006-2010 and another $97bn from 2011-2025.

"As Islamic states, the GCC countries and Malaysia share similar investment values and principles and Cityscape Dubai is the most appropriate venue for IIB to make its presence known in the Arabian Gulf," said Arlida Ariff, Managing Director of IIB.

"With areas under development such as an Islamic banking hub in conjunction with sustainable development, commercial, education, and residential areas, Iskandar provides unique and truly global investment opportunities for interested parties in the region," continued Arlida.

Iskandar Investment Berhad (IIB) is an investment holding company which promotes and coordinates development to support Iskandar Malaysia.

As a catalytic player in part of Iskandar Malaysia's infrastructure projects, IIB's primary goal is to seek world-class investors to bring best practice to the development.

It is the holding company's vision to be the catalytic driver of the mega-project and achieves this by investing in selected strategic initiatives as well as through the contribution of land through sale, lease, granting of concessions or development rights.

IIB will be present at Cityscape with its partners, regional heavy hitters such as Mubadala Development Company, Kuwait Finance House and Millennium Development International Company, on a 255 square metre stand displaying models and renderings of what promises to be the biggest global development story since the explosive growth of Dubai.

"Iskandar Malaysia is the next big thing in South East Asia, offering long-term investment opportunities that will appeal to an international audience," added Arlida.

Iskandar Malaysia is fully supported by the federal government of Malaysia which will be offering special incentives to investors such as tax breaks, ease of talent recruitment, lifted foreign ownership restrictions and business facilitated though a regulatory authority.

Located in the southernmost tip of the Malaysian peninsula, the new development is looking to build synergies with neighboring countries. Considering its proximity to such major transportation centers as Port of Tanjung Pelepas, Pasir Gudang Port, Singapore's Changi Airport, and the local Senai Airport, Iskandar Malaysia is in the hub of ASEAN's trade triangle and will effectively handle the anticipated trade boom resulting from the rapid and dynamic growth expected in the coming years.

Within easy reach of a growing market 3bn people strong, the region's effective position geographically makes it strategically located as an international metropolis located at the cross-roads of East-West trade lanes and midway between two emerging market giants, India and China.

Iskandar Malaysia aims to be a sustainable region of international standard. A beacon of new growth, Iskandar Malaysia will spur economic developments that actuate Malaysia's global potential, recognizing the need to address sustainable development, social and environmental issues.