GEORGETOWN, Jun 18 – Dual signing ceremony to mark the collaboration with Columbia Asia Hospital and OCBC Bank for the development of Aspen Vision City in Batu Kawan, Penang at Level 5, E&O Hotel, Macalister Ballroom, New Wing here yesterday. The ceremony has attended by Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and his Wife YB Betty Chew Gek Cheng, YB Danny Law Heng Kiang and YB Jagdeep Singh Deo.
Aspen Vision City is mega-scale joint-venture development between two renowned business entities such as Aspen Group (a home grown Penang developer) and Ikano Pte Ltd (a global giant on home furnishing and shopping centre which also known as IKEA).
Meanwhile, there were also a long term master plan has been meticulously designed for sustainability, Aspen Vision City comprises a collection of shop offices, residential condominiums, retail and serviced suites, hotels, office tower, financial hub, medical centre, healthcare facilities, international school, shopping mall as well as a Central Island Park.
After forming joint venture partnership with Ikano Pte Ltd, Aspen Group is now bringing in Columbia Asia Hospital which is to construct and operate a hospital on a 3 acres of land in Aspen Vision City, Bandar Cassia, Batu Kawan. This’ll be the first hospital in Batu Kawan.
Columbia Asia is a chain of hospital in Asia with 28 medical facilities across India, Malaysia, Vietnam and Indonesia. Columbia Asia Hospital that provide healthcare services at international standards. Their target market is the fast-growing middle income group.
“I am glad to see international brands and big players like IKEA and Columbia Asia could visualise the limitless potential of Batu Kawan. In the same time, State Government and PDC have been successful in wooing marquee brands to invest and develop Batu Kawan into an intelligent and eco-township over the past year,” said Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.
“Everyone is eyeing on Batu Kawan due to its excellent connectivity and most importantly are the ambition of the Penang State Government to build the most modern new satellite township in Malaysia after the second bridge is connected with Penang Island last year,” said CM Lim.
“Besides that, VERVE’s project financier, OCBC Bank (M) Berhad also provided Aspen Vision City Sdn. Bhd. various financing facilities totalling RM196 million to finance the entire first phase of this much-anticipated commercial development in Batu Kawan. Verve is slated for completion in 2018 and upon its completion,” he said.
“It is also the largest gated and guarded commercial and business district not only in Penang but in the whole of Northern Region. In the additional, the first IKEA store in Northern Region will be open its door to their fans in 2018 and the integrated shopping centre to open its door in 2020. The earthworks for Aspen Vision City, Verve and IKEA has started last month,” he added.
“Perhaps we need something more appropriate to reflect the most modern satellite township in Malaysia (when all projects are completed). It is my own suggestion and it will be discussed at the next state exco meeting. We have a few names in mind now,” said CM Lim.
“Lastly, I would like to take this opportunity to commend Aspen Group, Ikano Pte Ltd, Columbia Asia Sdn Bhd and OCBC Bank (M) Berhad for their great effort, farsighted planning and investment which will transform Batu Kawan to become an iconic and bustling satellite city in the near future,” he added.
