Sime Darby Property Berhad ("Sime Darby Property" or "Group") was recognised for spearheading urban biodiversity efforts at the 2024 FIABCI World Prix d'Excellence Awards in Singapore.

The Group’s Elmina Rainforest Knowledge Centre (“ERKC”) bagged silver in the Environmental Category, acknowledging its contributions to environmental literacy and urban biodiversity conservation and its positive sustainability impact on Malaysia’s real estate industry.

Organised by Fédération Internationale des Administrateurs de Bien-Conselis Immobiliers (‘FIABCI'), the FIABCI World Prix d'Excellence Awards recognise projects that best embody excellence in all real estate disciplines involved in their creation.

“ERKC demonstrates our dedication to preserving, regenerating, and strengthening healthy ecosystems in all our townships and developments,” said Sime Darby Property’s Group Managing Director, Dato’ Azmir Merican. “The purpose of ERKC includes fostering urban biodiversity through concerted conservation action, research, and development,” he added.

Situated in the City of Elmina, the 1.09-acre ERKC is a one-stop centre for forestry research, conservation, environmental education, recreation, eco-tourism and other sustainable initiatives. ERKC oversees integrated approaches to urban planning, balancing society's requirements and the ecosystem's health.

Nestled within the 300-acre Elmina Central Park and adjacent to the 2,700-acre Bukit Cherakah Forest Reserve, the ERKC was launched in October 2020 in partnership with the Tropical Rainforest Conservation and Research Centre (“TRCRC”).

The project has already made strides in conservation efforts, with the cultivation of 187 species of plants, including 35,000 seedlings and 10,000 tree saplings at the Elmina Living Collection Nursery (“ELCN”). Many of the seedlings and saplings grown at ERKC have also been taken to other areas of Selangor for conservation efforts. Over a thousand have been planted near the Klang Gates Dam along the Klang River. This effort is well on track to achieve the Group’s broader objectives to plant 50,000 trees from the International Union for Conservation of Nature's (“IUCN”) Red List by 2030.

In addition to environmental conservation, the ERKC and ELCN have become focal points for community engagement and education, hosting various programmes that promote awareness of environmental issues and encourage active participation in conservation efforts. The Friends of Page 1 of 2 ERKC community interest group further exemplifies this engagement, attracting over 10,000 members, including students, educators, and representatives from various corporate and authority bodies.

Sime Darby Property remains steadfast in upholding its Vision of Advancing Real Estate as a Force for Collective Progress, in Harmony with the Planet’s Resources. “Urban biodiversity goes beyond just flora and fauna; it's about the health of our environment and its impact on all forms of life. This award underscores our efforts in connecting communities and nature to ultimately enhance people’s lives and well-being and the planet's overall health,” said Dato’ Azmir.

He added: “We thank FIABCI for acknowledging our potential and look forward to consistently delivering liveability and sustainability for the benefit of all.”

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