BOET Borneo 744 ready for operation
KUCHING: Malaysia’s first Blue Ocean Entrepreneurs Township ( BOET) Borneo 744 is in its final stages of signing agreements with anchor licensees, targeting March 1 as handover date.
Its general manager Evelyn Jutem said the 10-acre riverfront project, which will be the hub of creativity, performing arts, innovation and entrepreneurship in Sarawak, will have Malaysian Global Innovation & Creativity Centre ( MaGIC) and Boutique Songket Atelier Tanoti among its tenants.
“Borneo 744, dubbed the ‘Entrepreneurs and Arts District, Sarawak’, is a 100 per cent notforprofit non- governmental organisation (NGO) to be operated by a CLBG (company limited by guarantee), which is a Yayasantype entity.
“It features five buildings with each block earmarked for specific activities based on the building’s size, facilities, access points and acoustics.
“As we are non-profit and basically a huge corporate social responsibility ( CSR) project, Borneo 744 can offer its massive space at minimal charge so that the creative and performing arts, selected sports and leisure activities, start-up and small-scale producers and entrepreneurs from the community are free to realise their creativity and potential without being burdened with the worry of massive overheads,” she said at Borneo 744 exclusive sneak peek preview event at its site at Jalan Semangat here yesterday.
She pointed out that this model was already gaining popularity with over 100 interested parties speaking to Borneo 744 team on space, retail opportunities and events.
“We have even been in contact with schools in the area who want to hold their rehearsals for activities such as lion dances at Borneo 744,” she revealed.
The sprawling Borneo 744 district with 120,000 sq feet built-up area located 11 km from Kuching city centre was identified by Prime Minister Datuk Seri
Borneo 744, dubbed the ‘Entrepreneurs and Arts District, Sarawak’, is a 100 per cent not-for-profit nongovernmental organisation (NGO) to be operated by a CLBG (company limited by guarantee), which is a Yayasan-type entity. Evelyn Jutem, Blue Ocean Entrepreneurs Township (BOET) Borneo 744 general manager
Najib Tun Razak last year as the future home of the country’s first BOET.
It will rejuvenate the area and become Kuching’s preferred centre for incubation, co-location, mentoring, networking and collaborations for all entrepreneur categories.
“Affordable and accessible spaces for trainings, festivals, exhibitions, recreational activities, productions and performances targeting both the community, entrepreneurs and visitors will make it the centrepiece of the district,” said Evelyn.
Meanwhile, Evelyn noted that licensees who have signed up and are ready for operation by April 15 will receive six months of free rental.
“From March 1 to Aug 31, event organisers who confirm take-up space be it dance studio, exhibition space, performances and so on will be offered 44 per cent discount on published rates.
“We also welcome food operators to set up their outlets here to offer greater choice for the township’s diverse and varied guests, operators and tenants.”
She also disclosed that programmes for the next 12 months at Borneo 744 were currently being finalised, which will have activities such as dance competitions, beading workshops, public speaking engagements and sports events.
“We welcome proposals and ideas from the public for events and activities they want to see at Borneo 744.
“The public’s input will form the basis for the Borneo 744 programme for the year – a programme driven largely by the community where entrepreneurship thrives,” she said.