GDS Launches Nusajaya Tech Park Data Center Campus in Johor, Malaysia, Driving Digital Economy in Southeast Asia

By leveraging the SIJORI strategies in Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia, GDS aims to enable the region to become a world-class AI computing hub

SINGAPORE, Aug. 10, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- GDS, a leading developer and operator of high-performance data centers, celebrated the grand opening of its Nusajaya Tech Park Data Center Campus today in Johor, Malaysia. The ceremony was attended by YB Senator Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry; YB Lee Ting Han, Johor State Investment, Trade and Consumer Affairs Committee Chairman; Mr. William Huang, Chairman and CEO of GDS; Mr. Dan Newman, CFO of GDS; Ms. Jamie Khoo, COO of GDS and other guests to witness this major milestone in GDS' history.

GDS Nusajaya Tech Park Data Center Campus, also known as GDS NTP Data Center Campus, is the first data center that GDS has launched in Southeast Asia. The phase 1 of the campus (consisting of Nusajaya 1, 2, 3 data centers or NTP1, 2, 3) boasts a total net floor area of 22,500 sqm, along with a total IT power capacity of 69.5 MW. The campus incorporates advanced green designs and is powered by GDS' most innovative Smart DC solution, enabling swift delivery within 14 months of NTP1 and ensuring high efficiency and low-carbon operations.

William Huang, Chairman and CEO of GDS expressed his excitement about the company's expansion in Southeast Asia, saying, "As the first and only data center player that has identified SIJORI region as a strategic location for data center deployment, GDS enjoys a significant first-mover advantage and possesses extensive industry know-how. To create synergies, we actively seek to build up ecosystem through attracting strategic partners and customers from AI sector as well as other high-tech industries. We are confident that our NTP data center campus will serve as a catalyst for the region's journey towards a world-class AI computing hub."

In the era of AI, the digitalization journey in Southeast Asia is driving a surge in demand for robust digital infrastructure. GDS has strategically positioned its data centers in key cities within the SIJORI region, comprising Singapore, Johor in Malaysia, and the Riau Islands Province in Indonesia. By leveraging the competitive advantages of these locations, GDS is uniquely positioned to spearhead the digitalization of the entire SIJORI region, catering to the growing digital demands of this AI-driven era.

YB Senator Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI), said, "Data Centre projects such as the GDS Nusajaya Tech Park Data Center Campus are very much aligned with Malaysia's upcoming New Industrial Master Plan 2030 (NIMP2030), one of whose missions is to create a digitally vibrant nation. Apart from reaffirming Malaysia's growing stature as a premier investment destination for data centres, they also pave the way for MSMEs to tap into more digital opportunities, and for creating higher-paying, knowledge-based jobs. With Malaysia's data centre market share projected to grow at roughly 16% (or USD2.08 billion) annually from 2021 to 2026, Malaysia is well-poised to unlock the boundless potential that digital transformation offers. This will certainly uplift our rakyat and businesses, while underscoring our nation's commitment to digital innovation, sustainability and future economic growth."

"Following GDS' moves, we have witnessed an influx of leading tech giants to the Nusajaya Tech Park. It is evident that Johor's exceptional geographic advantage has become an irresistible magnet for tech companies," said YB Lee Ting Han, Johor State Investment, Trade and Consumer Affairs Committee Chairman. He added, "We are grateful for GDS' contributions to our digital economy and appreciate their willingness to co-create a business-friendly environment with us. We believe our joint efforts will continue to attract investment, spur innovation, and drive growth in the region."

Datuk Wira Arham Abdul Rahman, Chief Executive Officer of the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), lauded the launch of Nusajaya Tech Park Data Center by GDS, commenting, "MIDA is delighted to witness this milestone, which is a significant stride towards propelling our nation into the forefront of the digital age. Malaysia is the preferred location for industry leaders like GDS to site their best-in-class data centres. GDS's commitment resonates well with our New Investment Policy to foster sustainable economic growth, create high-skilled job opportunities, and catalyse the nation's digital transformation journey. This project will create a vibrant ecosystem that encourages collaboration and the development of cutting-edge solutions."

Despite the challenges posed by limited land availability, a report by Cushman & Wakefield continues to highlight Singapore as a major growth market in Asia. The advanced technology development and status as an economic growth hub give Singapore an irreplaceable advantage. Recognizing this, GDS has chosen Singapore as its overseas headquarter, creating a unified ecosystem to connect markets for the expansion in Southeast Asia. With a commitment to empowering the government's Smart Nation approach and seizing new opportunities in the digital economy, GDS is poised for success in this dynamic market.

About GDS Holdings Limited

GDS Holdings Limited (NASDAQ: GDS; HKEX: 9698) is a leading developer and operator of high-performance data centers in China and South East Asia. The Company's facilities are strategically located in primary economic hubs where demand for high-performance data center services is concentrated. The Company also builds, operates and transfers data centers at other locations selected by its customers in order to fulfill their broader requirements. The Company's data centers have large net floor area, high power capacity, density and efficiency, and multiple redundancies across all critical systems. GDS is carrier and cloud-neutral, which enables its customers to access the major telecommunications networks, as well as the largest PRC and global public clouds, which are hosted in many of its facilities. The Company offers co-location and a suite of value-added services, including managed hybrid cloud services through direct private connection to leading public clouds, managed network services, and, where required, the resale of public cloud services. The Company has a 22-year track record of service delivery, successfully fulfilling the requirements of some of the largest and most demanding customers for outsourced data center services in China. The Company's customer base consists predominantly of hyperscale cloud service providers, large internet companies, financial institutions, telecommunications carriers, IT service providers, and large domestic private sector and multinational corporations.