HSBC AMANAH PROVIDES NEW GREEN FINANCING TO IKANO CENTRES

JOHOR BAHRU, July 6 (Bernama) -- HSBC Amanah will provide new green financing to Ikano Centres to boost the sustainable development of its Johor retail hub comprising Toppen Shopping Centre and IKEA Tebrau.

HSBC Amanah said in a statement today that Ikano Centres is a part of Ikano Retail, which operates IKEA stores in five countries as well as shopping centres that are anchored by IKEA.

"The proceeds from the refinancing facility will contribute to ongoing projects that will support Ikano Centres as it accelerates its sustainability progress. 

"The company is focused on enabling healthy and sustainable living by tackling its climate footprint together with tenants and customers while creating a positive impact for people in its communities," it said.

It said the green facility from HSBC will support Toppen’s ongoing development plans to create great customer experiences and secure its position as the heart and hub of the Johor Bahru community.

 HSBC Malaysia head of global banking Christina Cheah said HSBC's partnership with Ikano Centres on this new green financing facility in Malaysia is a continued demonstration of the bank’s commitment to support the transition to a low carbon economy. 

"Our clients are increasingly prioritising sustainability to achieve their transition and growth ambitions, and we expect it to remain a crucial factor when making business decisions, particularly as the country accelerates its focus on becoming carbon neutral by 2050. 

"Through the adoption of a sustainable business approach, we believe that Ikano will create long-term value for itself and society at large,” she said.

Ikano Centres’ shopping centre and mixed-use director, Malaysia, Adrian Mirea said the company needs to learn fast and develop new ways to reduce its carbon footprint.

"By 2030, we aim to power our properties entirely with renewable energy. We are working hard to tackle waste and we want to inspire and enable our tenants and customers to reduce their impact on the planet as well," he said.

Ikano Centres is currently operating and managing 3.76 million sq ft in the gross leasable area in its four Malaysian centres. 

Toppen, which opened in Johor in 2019, is an open-concept meeting place that attracts people from across south Malaysia and Singapore to four levels of retail and a one-of-a-kind rooftop with gardens, sports courts, a splash park and cinemas.

Later this year, Toppen will extend its ‘retailtainment’ concept with an additional multi-storey car park featuring a rooftop with 50,000 sq ft of new retail space.

-- BERNAMA