KUALA LUMPUR: Property developer I-Bhd welcomes Malaysia’s largest banking group, Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank) to its flagship development ultrapolis, i-City Malaysia.

       Maybank, which will be securing the office space in Sumurwang Tower -- soon to be renamed Mercu Maybank -- is part of the bank’s ongoing business continuity management and resiliency planning to ensure the businesses run smoothly without any disruptions in any event, I-Bhd said.

       In the statement issued on Thursday, it said the office in Mercu Maybank will serve as an additional permanent alternate office site for the bank to cater to new working arrangements resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic, which includes hybrid and remote work considerations for the bank’s various functions and businesses.

       Spanning across 320,000 square feet, the 33-storey corporate tower is a key component of driving i-City, Malaysia No.1 Technology City to become the financial hub as well as home to global fortune 500 companies, it said.

       I-Bhd chairman Tan Sri Lim Kim Hong said Mercu Maybank is deemed suitable for Maybank given its premium contactless corporate office design, artificial intelligence (AI) security features and Green Building Index (GBI) certification, which fits with it’s sustainability commitments.

       With the growing importance of decentralisation, i-City Malaysia presents the most ideal solution as a strategic location in Shah Alam, with state-of-the-art technology infrastructures allowing businesses to seamlessly relocate and operate.

       The strategic location of i-City Malaysia is one of the strengths when it comes to attracting new investments in high value-added industries, such as financial and information technology.

       He said the group was very pleased with Maybank’s decision to strategically expand its operations to i-City Malaysia, offering high standards of quality and sustainability at a prime location.

       “As a digitally driven organisation ourselves, i-City Malaysia is a ready-made destination of choice for firms looking to relocate with its world-class infrastructures.”

       “With the inclusion of Maybank to i-City's first Grade A, GBI rated corporate tower, we have managed to achieve 80% take-up rate within the first year after completion despite the pandemic.

       “The Multimedia Super Corridor-status corporate tower will be home to Fortune 500 companies, financial institutions, multinational corporations and international logistic players,” Lim added.

       The technology city is empowered by the “Mother of Internet technology-related infrastructure”, dedicated internet access (DIA) powered by a 400G capable high availability network, would be able to facilitate the development of the finance and information technology in the services industry.

       With the exponential increase in customer consumption and the need for speed, the use of interconnectivity and cloud-based applications to handle more bandwidth is ubiquitous in the datacentre infrastructure.

       The vibrancy of i-City’s financial sector, which is best illustrated by the widespread presence of industry leaders, also helps to consolidate confidence for further expansion of the ultrapolis.

       Lim said efforts will be made to attract more leading and pioneering projects to set up in i-City.

       Foreign institutions will also be encouraged to set up jointly-invested or wholly-owned operations in securities, funds, futures, insurance, pension management and fund advisory.

       Higher quality and higher-income job opportunities are envisaged to benefit knowledge-based workers within this smart city and its surrounding areas.

       A smart approach to economic activities will improve efficiency and open up new markets as well as elevate productivity and economic output.

       In addition to the existing data centre operating since 2008, I-Bhd said the group plans to add two more data centres accommodating 100,000 square feet each to meet the surging needs of cloud computing facilities.

       Upon completion, i-City will house 25,000 residents and 30,000 knowledge workers.

       i-City Malaysia has a gross development value of RM10bil and comprises corporate towers, cyber office suites, serviced residences, hotels, convention centres, financial hub, data centres, a 1.5 million square feet Central i-City shopping mall and a leisure theme park.

       By the end of 2021, I-Bhd will see the completion of DoubleTree by Hilton hotel and Hill10 development. The hotel is slated to welcome its guests in 2022.