Managing director Christian Rojkjaer said the 1.1 million sq ft shopping centre was the group’s third in Malaysia and is expected to accommodate some 300 retailers offering products and services that will complement Ikea Store Tebrau, the mall’s anchor tenant.

“The Toppen Shopping Centre is expected to attract 15 million visitors in 2020, not only from Johor Bahru but also from the southern region of Malaysia and Singapore. It will also bring in thousands of business and job opportunities.

“We chose Johor Bahru because we see the development that is going on, especially within Iskandar Malaysia. We are proud to be part of that development and contributor to the economy,” he said at a press conference here today.

Aside from job creation, Rojkjaer said, the establishment of the new shopping centre would help boost other economic sectors including local small and medium enterprises.

“We are already entering into partnerships with local companies here, not only for resale purposes but also for supply. We have local companies that are currently supplying locally produced halal meatballs and chicken wings, so generally we are contributing to the whole supply and demand economic chain,” he said.

Toppen Shopping Centre customers will be able to choose from four levels of international and local retail shops, family-friendly facilities, multipurpose spaces, entertainment, dining and sporting experiences.

The other two Ikea-anchored shopping centres in Malaysia are IPC Shopping Centre, Damansara and MyTown Shopping Centre, Cheras.