Penang to have the second international standard convention centre

By Anthony Tan | email: anthonykhtan@yahoo.co.uk

Penang is taking a big bite into the MICE industry with another international convention centre when IJM Corporation Bhd announced the Penang Waterfront Convention Centre (PWCC) costing RM346 million.



Artist's impression of IJM The Light Project and Penang Waterfront Convention Centre  

 

It will be built within their ongoing integrated Phase Two development project on reclaimed land project sited near to the Penang Bridge and is expected to complete by 2017.

 



Datuk Teh
 

Overall, The Light project, with Phase One consisting of a mixture of residentials and Phase Two comprising the PWCC, hotels, shopping malls, retail lots, a marina and international shopping districts on 152 acres of waterfront land with Green Building Index certification with a RM5 billion investment.

IJM Corporation group chief executive officer (CEO) Datuk Teh Kean Ming said the construction work on the project will start next year at the signing ceremony between Suntec International and IJM Land.  

 

“This partnership with Suntec International on PWCC will leverage on their experience and expertise in managing convention centres.”

The project will be helmed by world renowned architect firm Vx3, which designed the Nato headquarters in Brussels and the Hong Kong Convention Centre in Victoria Harbour.

Suntec International CEO Arun Madhok said, “We are determined to establish PWCC as a world class MICE venue.

“With our proven track record of 17 years in managing Suntec Singapore International Convention and Exhibition Centre, we will be bringing our experience in marketing, managing and operating of Convention and Exhibition Centre to ensure the overall successful operation of the PWCC.
 

“The PWCC will have a 10,000 sq m column-free multi-purpose hall that can be sub-divided or used as a single space and in a matter of minutes or even entirely converted to a 9,000-seat arena for world class concerts.”
 

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, who witnessed the signing ceremony, said PWCC will add another MICE venue for business tourism to the state.
 

Artist's impression of the under construction  Subterranean Penang International Conference and Exhibition Centre (sPICE) 

“It will be in addition to the Penang International Sports Arena (PISA) which is currently under construction to develop into the Subterranean Penang International Conference and Exhibition Centre (sPICE),” he said.
 



The interior of the present PISA

PISA, which is originally built as an indoor stadium and turned for multi-purpose use, is being booked almost throughout the year. When the Penang state government took the initiative to address the demand for an international conference and exhibition centre, there was a lot of protests by some group of distracters but such a centre was welcomed by event organisers and the tourism industry players.

“Even now, PISA is always full of events the whole year round and bookings have to be made a year ahead. So, it is good to have two international standard convention centres in Penang to cater to more international business events,” Lim said.

He also envisaged the two centres to not only serve Penang but also the Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) that has grown in scope to encompass more than 70 million people, 14 provinces in southern Thailand, eight states in Malaysia and 10 provinces in Sumatra, Indonesia.

"Malaysia sees MICE as lucrative sector, thriving with international business tourism visitors and (this sector) has grown by 132% since 2003."

Lim added that the income generated from convention attendees, who are considered big spenders could amount up to RM7,000 per trip, almost triple that spent by a leisure visitor."