MELAKA'S FASHION CITY BUSINESS HUB READY TO WELCOME VISITORS EARLY NEXT YEAR

MELAKA, Oct 6 (Bernama) -- Kota Gemilang, a fashion city concept business concept, developed in the vicinity of the Melaka International Trade Centre MITC) in Ayer Keroh, will be ready to receive visitors early next year.

Chief Minister Mohd Ali Rustam said the RM40 million project, built
on a 7.2ha site, was 80 per cent completed.

The 173 units of double-storey shophouses in the project have been
sold out, he told reporters after visiting the project.

The project was implemented under the privatisation programme, with the
Chief Minister Incorporated (CMI) providing the land, while the developer,
Pembinaan Rembang Kota Sdn Bhd, was responsible to build the commercial
centre.

Mohd Ali said 40 per cent of the shophouses were allocated to Bumiputera
entrepreneurs while the remaining 60 per cent to non-Bumiputeras.

"Government agencies, including CMI, have bought the Bumiputera quota
units to be rented out at a nominal rate to Bumiputera entrepreneurs.

"This is to provide opportunities to more Bumiputeras to venture into
business and to do business under one roof with their non-Bumiputera
counterparts," he said.

Mohd Ali said about 60 to 70 per cent was textile business at Kota Gemilang
while the rest were furniture shops and restaurants.

He said the development of Kota Gemilang would woo more locals, domestic
and
foreign tourists to shop at MITC at fair prices.

The modern shopping centre concept infrastructure, with covered pedestrian
mall, provides the congenial environment and comfort for visitors to shop at
MITC, he said.

"The front and back portions of every shophouse at Kota Gemilang serve as
entry points while the wall is built with high quality glass with attractive
landscape," he said.

Mohd Ali expects Kota Gemilang to create some 2,000 jobs.