SHAH ALAM, 16 Oct: The Selangor State Government welcomes the strategic partnership with I-Berhad and Best Western International (BWI) in efforts to develop the first hotel in I-City, Shah Alam.
Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said that the collaboration in constructing the hotel will change the landscape of the Shah Alam city.
“This would be a new benchmark for development in Shah Alam and its surrounding areas, and the result of this agreement will meet the needs of foreign investors who will further transform the landscape of Shah Alam into an International City.
“If previously Shah Alam was famous for its manufacturing industry, now, it will also be known for its tourism industry,” he said in his speech here at the Signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) ceremony between i-City and Best Western International.
Best Western International has enhanced the Best Western hotel brand and is the world’s largest hotel chain, with over 4,195 hotels in 100 countries.
The MOU was signed by the Vice-President of I Berhad, Datuk Eu Hong Chew and the Vice-President of BWI’s Asian and Middle Eastern Internal Operations, Glenn de Souza, and was observed by Abdul Khalid.
The construction of the hotel on 72 acres of land involves a Gross Development Value (GDV) of RM50 million.
It will be carried out in stages, including 826 units of Service Suits which are expected to be completed in 2016, while 216 hotels are expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2014.
With the opening of the hotel, it is expected to increase the number of visitors to I-City.
Previously, a giant Thai company, Central Pattana, invested RM500 million through its subsidiary companies to build the CentralPlaza@i-City shopping complex here in i-City, Shah Alam.
Meanwhile, Abdul Khalid added that the State Government is currently in the process of upgrading the infrastructural facilities in its surrounding area.
Prior to this, the Mayor of Shah Alam, Datuk Jaafar Atan informed that a junction connecting the Federal Highway with Shah Alam is under construction and is expected to have a positive impact to the socio-economy of the residents of the city of Shah Alam, especially in Section 7.
The intersection will be an alternative route to enter and exit Section 7 as well as become a gateway to i-City from Klang.
With the latest infrastructure, Shah Alam is expected to become more urban and play an important role in the Greater Kuala Lumpur Master Plan.
In addition to the intersection which will be completed in September, a hospital with 300 beds is currently under construction on 25 acres of land near i-City.