PM: MITEC WILL PUT NATION ON THE MAP
It will achieve goal of making KL one of top 5 most-visited cities by 2020
THE Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) will achieve its goal of making Kuala Lumpur one of the top five most visited cities by 2020.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who officially launched the RM628 million building last night, said he was confident that with MITEC’s state-of-the-art facilities, it would put Malaysia on the map, while creating job opportunities and raising skill levels and wages of the people.
“According to the International Congress and Convention Association, Kuala Lumpur is ranked eighth in Asia Pacific and 28th globally as a convention centre city, while among countries, Malaysia was ranked seventh in the region and 30th in the world.
“Last year, the Malaysian MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions) industry attracted 111,298 delegates to 153 events and generated RM1.035 billion in revenue.
“By 2020, business tourism is forecast to contribute RM3.9 billion to the gross national income and generate 16,700 jobs.
“With MITEC, however, I am certain that these rankings and figures are set to improve. It will play its part in reaching our goal of making Kuala Lumpur one of top five most visited cities by 2020.”
Najib was speaking at the official handover ceremony of the MITEC building by Naza Group to the International Trade and Industry Ministry here yesterday.
He said the government would promote it as a venue of choice and encourage national and international events and conferences to be held at MITEC, in line with the government’s businessfriendly policies.
Najib said MITEC was another example of how the government’s plans had delivered and continued to deliver for the benefit of Malaysians.
The ceremony saw International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed accepting the building from Naza Group executive chairman and chief executive officer S.M. Nasarudin S.M. Nasimuddin.
MITEC, which was developed by the Naza Group property arm, Naza TTDI Sdn Bhd, is the first component of the RM20 billion, 30.55ha KL Metropolis project launched in October 2011.
Naza Corporation Holdings, via its subsidiary, Prisma Galery Sdn Bhd, has received the concessionaire licence to operate and manage the facility from the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation.
The round shape of MITEC’s design architecture reflects a rubber seed to symbolise the rubber industry’s contribution to Malaysia’s early economic growth.