Gold bazaar in the cards

Gold bazaar in the cards

THE Penang Government has plans to turn an open area, currently used as a pedestrian walkway along Jalan Dr Lim Chwee Leong, into a Gold and Jewellery Bazaar.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said a Request for Proposal (RFP) would be called beginning July 1.

The proposal must be submitted by Oct 1.

Lim said the state government and the Penang Development Corporation (PDC) had identified a 0.4ha piece of land located next to Komtar for the project.

“The proposed site is situated along Jalan Dr Lim Chwee Leong adjoining to the Prangin Mall.

“The area forms Phase IV of Komtar’s overall development,” he said.

He said the bazaar would comprise an iconic building that would house gold and jewellery traders ranging from anchor operators to kiosk operators.

Lim said the public space at the ground level would be utilised as an open area visible to vehicular traffic along the road.

He said the commercial units would be on the first level, and would be connected by escalators.

He added that the building would also have security features.

“The bid is open for both local and international companies, and participating companies must have a paid-up capital of a minimum of RM100,000,” he said.

Lim said the bazaar was part of the revitalisation process, adding that the surrounding property had also undergone facelifts to upgrade and preserve the heritage value of the area.

Forms for the proposal can be obtained at RM100 from PDC’s Property Division at Level 4, 1, Persiaran Mahsuri, Bandar Bayan Baru.

Enquiries can be forwarded to enquiry@pdc.gov.my.

Lim also said that to celebrate George Town’s listing as a Unesco World Heritage Site, a unique showcase to highlight the local culture and heritage would be held between July 1 and July 31.

The month-long inaugural event called ‘George Town Festival 2010’ will be held in conjunction with the second anniversary of the city being bestowed with the title on July 7.

“The festival will feature over 80 programmes to promote arts and heritage in Penang, with 338 local and international artists performing,” said Lim.

“Among the highlights are the street celebration on July 7, street opera performance by Japanese soprano Ranko Kurano, mass band festival, design and modelling contest, sculptor island trail and photo exhibitions,” he said.

For more details go to www.georgetownfestival.com or contact the secretariat for details such as ticket sales for certain events at 04-2616605 or 016-4644211.

-News courtesy of The Star-