WITH over 50 years of manufacturing and industrial expertise, particularly in the electrical and electronics (E&E) sector, Penang has firmly established itself as a premier hub for Global Business Services (GBS).
This is demonstrated by the presence of more than 70 companies operating GBS facilities in the state, collectively employing over 17,000 professionals.
Recognising the potential for further growth, the Penang Development Corporation (PDC) has played a pivotal role in developing a network of GBS buildings across the state.
PDC chief executive officer Datuk Aziz Bakar said that the initiative, branded as GBS Nodes, underscores Penang’s commitment to fostering a dynamic ecosystem for digital innovation.
“The journey began with GBS@Mayang, completed in 2018, followed by GBS@Mahsuri in 2020.
“This extensive network is poised for further expansion with the upcoming Integrated Circuit (IC) Design and Digital Park, featuring two office buildings totalling 350,000sq ft – GBS By The Sea and GBS TechSpace.
“Additionally, a 500,000sq ft facility, GBS@Technoplex, will bring the network’s total to nearly one million square feet of premium, state-of-the-art office space, supported by the state government and designed to accommodate the next generation of IC design and digital industry leaders,” he told Buletin Mutiara recently.
Aziz highlighted five key projects designed to foster a comprehensive and future-ready landscape:
GBS@Mayang
Location: Jalan Mahsuri, Bayan Baru
Completion: 2018
Refurbished at a cost of RM10 million to serve as a GBS hub for investors, this four-storey office building spans 127,000sq ft. It currently hosts 11 multinational corporations (MNCs) with 1,200 employees. Notable tenants include Jabil, Swarovski, Tech Mahindra, Siemens, StarFive, Bitsilica, and Synapse Design, focusing primarily on GBS, IC design, and R&D.
GBS@Mahsuri
Location: Persiaran Mahsuri, Bayan Baru
Completion: 2020
Situated on a 3.1-acre site, GBS@Mahsuri was developed at a cost of RM21 million. The two-storey office building offers a gross area of 102,452sq ft and a net lettable area of 80,116sq ft. It is fully occupied by four multinational companies, including Cisco Systems, Clarivate, Aerticket Global Services, and Teleperformance Malaysia, employing 1,000 people. The building’s operations span GBS, data science, and networking.
GBS By The Sea
Location: Technoplex Area, Bayan Lepas Industrial Park
Estimated Completion: Q4 2024
Part of Penang’s ambitious one million square foot IC Design and Digital Park, GBS By The Sea is a high-end development with an investment of RM200 million. The nine-storey complex will offer 294,000sq ft of net lettable space and 837 parking bays. Upon completion, it is expected to generate about 3,000 local job opportunities. Major tenants include three MNCs, with AMD Global Services poised to occupy nearly 70% of the building’s space, featuring state-of-the-art office and lab facilities.
GBS TechSpace
Location: Technoplex Area, Bayan Lepas Industrial Park
Estimated Completion: Q3 2024
As an extension of the first phase of the IC Design and Digital Park, GBS TechSpace will consist of a three-storey office block providing 60,000sq ft of net lettable space and 153 parking bays. It is designed to accommodate companies in IC design, digital GBS, R&D, and engineering services.
GBS@Technoplex
Location: Technoplex Area, Bayan Lepas Industrial Park
Estimated Completion: 2027
Representing the second phase of the IC Design and Digital Park, GBS@Technoplex is envisioned as a cutting-edge, nine-storey office building with a multi-storey car park. With an investment of RM308 million, it will add 500,000sq ft of rentable space to the Bayan Lepas Industrial Park. This facility is set to support high-impact initiatives in IC design, R&D, GBS, digital technology investments, and a circular digital economy ecosystem.
Aziz emphasised that the GBS sector offers a unique opportunity for Malaysia to position itself as a regional powerhouse, bringing substantial economic gains to the country.
“With its robust and well-established ecosystem, Penang is poised to become the premier destination for GBS, both within the region and on the global stage.
“By capitalising on its rich manufacturing legacy and a diverse talent pool skilled in technical and linguistic capabilities, Penang is consistently setting new standards for rapid growth in the GBS sector,” he added.