BY NELSON BENJAMIN

Ismail (right) exchanging documents with Wu (left) to establish the Iskandar Malaysia Greenland Smart City Experimental Centre. Looking on is Mohamed Khaled (second from left).

JOHOR BARU: A Chinese developer will be building an experimental centre using advanced technology to promote the Smart City initiative.

The 700sqm centre to be located at Greenland Tebrau Bay, will utilise touch screen displays, virtual reality and hologram motion display.

Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA) and Greenland Tebrau Sdn Bhd signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on setting up the Iskandar Malaysia Greenland Smart City Experiential Centre and organise the Iskandar Malaysia Smart City Conference.

The exchange of documents was witnessed by Mentri Besar Datuk Mohamed Khaled Nordin during the Iskandar Malaysia Open Day 2016 in Komtar JBCC.

IRDA chief executive Datuk Ismail Ibrahim said the project is expected to be completed by the third quarter of this year.

“This is an example of how the government and private sector can work together towards a common goal.

“We hope more private companies and organisations will work with us on other Smart City initiatives,” he added.

The six dimensions of the Iskandar Malaysia Smart City concept will be embedded in the 12 exhibition zones, featuring elements such as smart living, travel, healthcare, education, environment and others.

The Iskandar Malaysia Smart City Conference is expected to be held in September.

Greenland Tebrau managing director Wu Shaohua said it was an honour to work with IRDA.

In 2012, Iskandar Malaysia was given the nod to set up to a ‘Smart City’ at a special meeting of Malaysia’s Global Science and Innovation Advisory Council (GSIAC) — a unique assembly of all-star national and international experts created to inform and assist the nation’s sustainable development — chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

Smart cities rely on the widespread and innovative use of ICT to promote a better quality of life and sustainable living.