GEORGE TOWN: Homegrown developer and operator of theme parks Sim Leisure Group today inked several memoranda of understanding (MOU) with partners in Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia during the Dubai Expo 2022.
The Singapore-listed group said in a statement that the partners will represent Sim's ESCAPE brand on the ground in each of their respective territories.
"These partners will source and secure relevant and appropriate funding partners across mall operators and land owners to develop the ESCAPE brand of adventure parks," it added.
The MOU signing ceremony was held at the Malaysian Pavilion at the Dubai Expo 2020 and witnessed by Penang Yang diPertua Negeri Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak, in the presence of Penang state executive councillors Datuk Abdul Halim Hussain and Yeoh Soon Hin.
"This is truly a coming of age for ESCAPE as we launch the brand internationally," said Sim Leisure's founder and chief executive officer Sim Choo Kheng.
"I am very excited at the prospects at what we can achieve together with our partners in Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
"We had plans to take the ESCAPE brand internationally earlier. However, we were delayed for the last two years due to the pandemic.
"But now, as travel restrictions are eased, its finally time to venture into international markets. These territories will add to the ESCAPE park that is already under construction in Sri Lanka and an ESCAPE park that has recently been approved to start development in China."
Penang is home to the first ESCAPE theme park which spans 17.8ha of land in Teluk Bahang on the island.
Today's signing ceremony was also held in conjunction with "Penang Week" held at the exposition in the United Arab Emirates.
"Sim Leisure is a good example of how a Malaysian company can be successful on the world stage, establishing their Middle East headquarters in Dubai some 20 years ago and having since delivered over 300 unique international theme park and attraction design and build projects around the world," Ahmad Fuzi said in his speech.
"Malaysia, and by extension Penang, is an important tourist destination in Southeast Asia, driven by both the government and private sector.
"But I believe that it is vitally important that Malaysian companies adopt a global mindset and embrace an entrepreneurial spirit in developing and expanding their businesses in overseas markets."
