Kuala Lumpur: Tun Razak Exchange (TRX) takes center stage as Malaysia's International Financial Centre and the emerging social hub of Kuala Lumpur.

Positioned as a pivotal player in the realm of international finance, TRX aims to be the crossroads where economic prosperity and sustainability intersect.

The 70-acre district is specially designed to become the investment destination, an economic enabler and a sustainable transit-orientated development, says Datuk Azmar Talib, Chief Executive Officer of TRX City, the Master Developer of TRX.

He said the existence of TRX will create a clustering effect for the financial services industry, which will not only generate businesses but also create employment opportunities, especially for knowledge-based workers.

“We talk about connectivity, we have one of the best connectivity in the city encompassing train system, highways, and a network of walkways for pedestrians.”

“TRX hosts the only MRT interchange station in the city for Lines 1 and 2, which connects TRX to 64 other stations. TRX is also strategically linked to several major roads and highways including Jalan Tun Razak, Jalan Sultan Ismail, Smart Tunnel, SPE and MEX.”

As a sustainable and smart development, says Azmar, the environment built creates a new public gathering area in Kuala Lumpur which offers new experiences.

“With the support of Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL), we also have the District Management to look after the quality of the environment and level of service over a long period of time,” says Azmar.

TRX’s sustainable infrastructure, inviting public realm, pedestrian-friendliness, lifestyle offerings, and convenient connectivity makes for a vibrant and liveable international financial centre.

One of the tenants in the financial quarter of the district is the international bank HSBC, which is moving its country headquarters to Menara IQ in TRX.

HSBC Bank Malaysia Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Omar Siddiq Amin Noer Rashid, says the decision to move to the new location was made 10 years ago, and it was the right move at the right time.

He foresees the TRX development as a brilliant project in its role as a centre for growth and clustering of businesses, enhanced by its state-of-the-art infrastructure and facilities.

“TRX is significant to us, providing the opportunity to participate in a project that is a new ‘centre of gravity’ for Kuala Lumpur, if you will.”

“Locating HSBC here in a prominent development, we should be able to access people, customers as well as other stakeholders within what we feel should be eventually a superb example of Kuala Lumpur and Malaysia at its best.”

As HSBC enters its 140th year in the country, Omar Siddiq said HSBC will strengthen its commitment to supporting Malaysia's dream and he is confident that the nation will continue to share in the region's growth.

As well as being a financial engine, TRX was also built in line with the city's vision for a sustainable Kuala Lumpur.

Mitch Wilson, Project Director of The Exchange TRX and Head of Retail, Lendlease Malaysia, says The Exchange TRX does not want to be ‘another shopping mall’ in this city but aiming for a bigger role as a new social heart for Kuala Lumpur, that offers unique experience to the public.

“The 10-acre park on its roof will be an extraordinary integration with the retail, with a lot of greenery inside and outside the mall.”

“The idea is to bring together the community to experience something different,” says Wilson.

Lendlease is a global company that has been here in Malaysia for 40 years, making full use of its local knowledge to create the best for Malaysia in line with its international practice driven by sustainable initiatives.

The Exchange TRX, according to Wilson, is a LEED Gold-rated retail asset, the first in the country, with a focus on waste management in the building. The Exchange TRX's green initiatives are strongly supported by its 400 retail partners who strive to make a difference in sustainability.