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Kuala Lumpur continues to strengthen its position on the global financial map, supported by regulatory reforms, investor-friendly policies and resilient macroeconomic fundamentals. Tun Razak Exchange (TRX) is entering a new phase of development focused on long-term value creation, ecosystem depth and international competitiveness.

Conceived as Malaysia’s International Financial Centre, TRX was designed to support national economic priorities, including financial resilience, foreign direct investment and the creation of high-value jobs. By 2025, much of the district’s foundational promise has been delivered. Strong occupancy, the presence of international institutions, and spillover effects into Kuala Lumpur’s broader economy have established TRX as a credible business and financial destination.

Looking ahead to 2026 and beyond, TRX City Sdn Bhd is shifting its focus from delivery to evolution.

From Infrastructure to Ecosystem

While TRX’s physical infrastructure is largely complete, the emphasis is now on strengthening the soft infrastructure that underpins globally competitive financial centres. This includes talent development, business growth, seamless operations, innovation and ESG integration.

The transition reflects a national mandate to further internationalise TRX, attract global institutions and anchor headquarters seeking a stable, well-connected base in Southeast Asia. Beyond physical assets, the objective is to position TRX as a platform that enables organisations to scale and innovate.

Building Trust and a New Growth Curve

Having delivered its initial commitments, TRX is entering a phase where confidence and credibility are sustained through effective communication, consistent delivery and institutional trust.

Today, equal priority is given to articulating a clear vision for the district’s future, ensuring that stakeholders, from investors to regulators, understand the long-term value proposition. This marks a shift towards new growth curve priorities, including institutional capabilities that enhance the district from an international perspective.

Three Strategic Priorities

The next phase of growth is guided by three strategic priorities.

Strengthening the IFC ecosystem
Globally competitive financial centres are defined by strong institutional and regulatory frameworks. A key focus is policy alignment aimed at reducing friction for investors and accelerating market entry. This includes closer coordination with relevant agencies to improve talent mobility and provide greater certainty for firms establishing regional operations in Kuala Lumpur.

TRX is actively working towards deeper collaboration with financial and investment authorities, including Bank Negara Malaysia, the Securities Commission, MIDA, Labuan IBFC and the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone. These efforts are expected to enhance regulatory efficiency and reinforce Kuala Lumpur’s competitiveness relative to other regional financial centres.

Ramping up commercialisation
While land and physical assets are finite, long-term value creation depends on the intensity of commercial activity. The next phase focuses on activating investments, deepening demand and attracting new capital.

The year ahead is expected to see milestones in the physical completion and activation of residential, retail and lifestyle components. Efforts are also being intensified to attract financial institutions, corporate headquarters and regional offices, leveraging Malaysia’s cost advantages and strengths in Islamic and sustainable finance.

Enhancing service delivery and district experience
As financial centres increasingly compete on service quality, seamless investor onboarding, transparent processes and digitally enabled facilitation have become essential.

The focus is on elevating both investor services and the overall district experience. From mobility to placemaking, the aim is to create an environment where investors feel supported and professionals feel at home.

Technology, Talent and Sustainability as Enablers

TRX has invested significantly in a digital masterplan to ensure buildings and public spaces are future-ready, with intelligent systems, advanced connectivity and integrated security.

With a predominantly international talent base, expectations around efficiency, quality and lifestyle are high. Technology enables more agile working methods, reduces reliance on manual processes and enhances operational effectiveness. AI is already being deployed to streamline processes and support decision-making, while maintaining appropriate governance and oversight.

Sustainability is embedded into the district’s infrastructure. Energy efficiency measures support national climate commitments and ESG objectives, positioning TRX as a practical example of how sustainable urban operations and economic growth can coexist.

Looking Ahead

As competition among global financial centres intensifies, long-term success will be defined by ecosystem depth, service efficiency and the ability to support innovation.

This next phase reflects a clear focus on how the district enables businesses and aligns with national priorities, reinforcing Kuala Lumpur’s ambition to remain competitive on the global financial stage. With continued execution, TRX aims to deliver meaningful and enduring economic value for Malaysia.