Malaysia Airports to open Southeast Asia’s largest outlet shopping mall

An artist's impression of what is being hailed by Malaysia Airports and Mitsui Fudosan as the largest outlet shopping mall in Southeast Asia, Mitsui Outlet Park KLIA

Published: 07/05/14 Source: ©The Moodie Report By Melody Ng, Asia Bureau Chief

MALAYSIA. Malaysia Airports is partnering Mitsui Fudasan to develop what it hails as the largest outlet shopping mall in Southeast Asia, located 6km from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).

Scheduled to open by early 2015, Mitsui Outlet Park KLIA will feature 140 factory outlet stores spanning over 25,000sq m of commercial space under Phase 1. Phases 2 and 3, which are slated for completion by 2018 and 2021 respectively, will increase commercial space to 46,300sq m, housing approximately 260 shops.

MFMA Development Sdn Bhd, a joint venture company started in August 2013 between Mitsui Fudasan (with 70% ownership) and Malaysia Airports (30%), will undertake the construction, leasing to tenants, promotions as well as the management and operations of the outlet mall. The company will be led by Mitsui Fudosan’s Takehito Fukui as Managing Director.

With a concept themed ‘Paradise Village’, Mitsui Outlet Park KLIA will feature four distinctive zones: Sunshine Square, Pier Walk, Tropical Plaza and Beach Walk. A wide variety of luxury and sports brands from Europe, the USA and Asia (including Japan and Malaysia) will be offered at discounted prices, and international cuisine will be offered under a ‘World Food Expo’ concept. Other highlights include a Japanese specialty store showcasing delicacies, traditional arts and crafts and technology; an entertainment, sports and leisure centre; an amusement park; and a creativity development facility for children.

“The Mitsui Outlet Park KLIA will certainly further enhance the spectrum of attractions in Malaysia,” said Malaysia’s Secretary General of the Ministry of Tourism and Culture Y.Bhg. Datuk Dr. Ong Hong Peng, who officiated the groundbreaking ceremony last month. He added that the project represents “a massive leap forward” in providing quality and competitive shopping in Malaysia.

Malaysia Airports believes that the easy accessibility, high visibility and strategic location of Mitsui Outlet Park KLIA, which is about 60km from the Kuala Lumpur city centre, make it an ideal location for both tenants and customers. There are also plans to provide shuttle bus services from KLIA to the facility and to establish check-in counters and flight information display boards to further facilitate travellers. Additionally, there will be over 2,500 parking lots.

The encouraging growth in passenger movements also augurs well for the project, the national airport operator added. In 2013, KLIA registered over 47 million passengers with a +19% increase on-year; the same year saw KLIA being ranked by ACI as the world’s 20th busiest airport based on overall passenger movements and the world’s 11th busiest for international passenger movements.

A major component of KLIA Aeropolis

Mitsui Outlet Park KLIA is an integral part of KLIA Aeropolis, Malaysia Airports’ master plan to develop the 6,750 acres of land surrounding KLIA into a self-sustaining and multi-functional airport city. The development mix will include offices, commercial establishments, a convention centre, logistical facilities, a theme park and golf courses. Mitsui Outlet Park KLIA will be developed across approximately 180,000sq m of land.

“The Mitsui Outlet Park KLIA is poised to be a destination of choice regionally and a stimulus for the development under the KLIA Aeropolis Master Plan,” said Malaysia Airports Chairman Y.Bhg. Tan Sri Dato' Sri Dr. Wan Abdul Aziz bin Wan Abdullah. “The project dovetails perfectly with our new vision of becoming ‘The Global Leader in Creating Airport Cities’. This project not only demonstrates our commitment but it also serves as a catalyst towards achieving this vision.”

Mitsui Fudosan Executive Managing Officer Takeshi Suzuki commented: “As the economy of Malaysia continues to grow and with KLIA gaining importance as a regional hub, the Mitsui Outlet Park KLIA is positioned to be the most sought after commercial facility in Southeast Asia.”