KUALA LUMPUR: Sime Darby Property Bhd, which has set a RM2.4bil sales target for this financial year, announced Monday it has reopened its sales galleries and resumes operations at all project sites.

       Its group managing director, Datuk Azmir Merican said that the company was pleased to welcome visitors back to its sales galleries and provide prospective homebuyers with a more personalised purchase experience, as well as better insight into its innovative products and sustainable township amenities.

       “Our aim was always to overcome challenges for activities impacted by the pandemic such as selling homes, which traditionally begins with individuals visiting sales galleries.

       “Since last year, we have enhanced our online sales and marketing capabilities by developing in-house innovations such as our online booking system and virtual sales gallery, among others. This led to the company providing prospective homebuyers with a rich online experience to continue viewing and purchasing homes during the pandemic period,” he said.

       The reopening was in accordance with the government’s recent easing of lockdown restrictions. It will comply with all standard operating procedures (SOPs) in support of the National Recovery Programme (NRP) as the minimum standard at all sales galleries and project sites to ensure the safety and health of its employees and visitors.

       At the sales galleries, prospective homebuyers will be assisted by fully vaccinated Sime Darby Property sales representatives donning personal protective equipment (PPE).

       The sales galleries will be sanitised regularly, with common touchpoints cleaned immediately after each customer visit. The sales galleries will also undergo deep sanitisation weekly.

       Sime Darby Property sales representatives donning Personal Protective Equipment.

       Members of the public intending to visit the sales galleries are encouraged to schedule for an appointment prior to their visit.

       On the outlook, Azmir said while construction in the property sector has been allowed to resume as at end-July 2021, it will take time for the Sime Darby Property’s project site operations to gain momentum as it will operate under strict SOPs.

       “The company has obtained approval from the Ministry of International Trade and Industry to resume operations at all of its active project sites in the country, paving the way to meet the RM2.4bil sales target for this financial year.

       “Beyond the closure of sales galleries during the lockdown period, our project sites were also faced with challenges to operate. This was not unique to Sime Darby Property as the ongoing pandemic has disrupted many industries across the globe, including the property sector.

       “Although the construction sector has reopened, it will operate under strict SOPs and take time for operations to get back in full swing. However, we anticipate several new projects to be completed by the end of the year which will see us launch new residential and industrial products in the market,” said Azmir.

       For the first half of the current financial year, Sime Darby Property posted RM1.3bil sales,

       marking an 83.9% increase from the RM712.5mil achieved in the same period last year.

       The company’s revenue and profit before tax were RM1.1bil and RM152.3mil respectively, while profit after tax and minority interest was RM80.5mil.