The landscape of the coastal city, Kota Kinabalu has a brand new, sparkling edition - the Jesselton Quay Central. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor launched the project at the light-up ceremony at the Sabah International Convention Center here last night.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said with greater private-driven initiatives, it would help to further push the economic momentum in the property industry.

He said such an initiative will also further push to increase the flow of investments; enhance overall economic diversification; create wider economic opportunities; and, create other economic spillovers.

"The property sector is a key component in this economic transformation agenda, in part, because of its proven track record in developing human resources networks and in spinning supply chains," he said during the lighting up ceremony of the Jesselton Quay Central (JQC) project here.

The JQC, which is a joint-venture project between government-linked company Suria Capital Holdings Bhd and SBC Corporation Bhd, will add another transformation to the city's landscape.

Hajiji said the Jesselton Quay and One Jesselton Waterfront, and the complementary developments in the vicinity, will transform this waterfront area into a new-look city destination.

"The proposed plan to develop an international cruise terminal as part of the long-term plan to position Kota Kinabalu as a regional and international water terminal port is now put into place," he added.

As part of the first phase of the Jesselton Quay mixed-development project, the completed JQC is located on 6.6ha of prime land at the Kota Kinabalu Port and would serve as an extension of the Kota Kinabalu City central business district.

“The property market driven by private initiatives will further push the economic momentum in the property industry and increase the flow of investments; enhance overall economic diversification that will create wider economic opportunities.

"It will also create other economic spillovers,” he said during the Jesselton Quay Central (JQC) Light-Up ceremony here.

He said as outlined in the Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya development agenda, Sabah’s economic strategy is to strengthen key economic clusters.

“The property sector is a key component in this economic transformation agenda, in part, because of its proven track record in developing human resources networks and in spinning supply chains,” he added.

The Occupation Certificate (OC) is expected to be obtained by the first quarter of this year for JQC, comprising two towers of 25-storey commercial suites, one tower of 25-storey i-hotel, gallery shops and a tropical-themed recreation club at the podium top.