SENAI Airport Terminal Services Sdn Bhd (SATS) and its Chinese partner will invest RM200 million in a trade centre in Johor.

The 8ha Senai-Wenzhou Trade Centre will provide manufacturers from Wenzhou, China, with a gateway to expand their business in Asean and the Asia Pacific.

Once the centre is completed in three years, it could generate economic benefits worth some RM10 billion over 25 years, said SATS chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Sidik Shaik Osman.

"This collaboration between SATS and the Wenzhou Association is an excellent example of cooperation that promises to provide enormous benefits to the airport and to Johor in general," he told reporters at the launch of the Senai-Wenzhou Trade Centre in Johor Baru yesterday.

Wenzhou, located south of Shanghai, is famous for its chemical plants, shipbuilding industry and leather products.

Heading the investors at the event was Senai-Wenzhou Trade Development Pte Ltd chairman Vincent Tan Kuan Hin.

"The large exhibition space will not only make the trade centre an excellent venue for Wenzhou trade and public exhibitions, it will also be able to cater to larger trade audiences.

"Its location adjacent to an airport also ensures maximum convenience and accessibility for users from all over the world," he said.

The trade centre will have a built-up area of 80,000 sq m.

Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman launched the project and said he was happy that investors from Wenzhou had decided to continue their business expansion plans despite the economic slowdown.

"This is a clear indication that interest is still strong among international business communities, in this case, from China.

"Let me assure the Wenzhou community that the Senai International Airport is an ideal platform to establish their presence in this region," he said.