Malaysian-owned hospitality group Riyaz International has formed a strategic partnership with Jin Jiang Hotels China Region to launch RJJ Hotels and expand across South-east Asia and the Asia-Pacific.
The partnership was marked at a signing and launch ceremony at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC), which was attended by more than 400 industry stakeholders.
The programme included remarks from Sri Shaheen, group managing director of Riyaz International and RJJ Hotels, and Zhou Wei, vice president of Jin Jiang International.
Agreements signed included a Management License Agreement between RJJ Hotels and Jin Jiang Hotels China Region; a joint venture between Riyaz International and Permodalan Satok for the Metropolo Jinjiang Hotels Sarawak project; and 11 hotel management agreements and memoranda of understanding across Malaysia.
These agreements mark the launch of RJJ Hotels as a platform to accelerate regional growth and investment, strengthening hospitality beyond Malaysia and China.
Founded in 2008, Riyaz International operates properties including The Riyaz, Dash, The Pure and AQVA. Jin Jiang Hotels China Region is part of Shanghai Jin Jiang International Hotels Co., which has more than 17,000 hotels and 1.6 million rooms in 55 countries. Five of its brands – Metropolo Jinjiang Hotels, Lavande Hotels, Jinjiang Inn, Ginco Hotel and Renjoy Hotel – will be introduced to South-east Asia.
Riyaz International and Jin Jiang Hotels China Region aim to grow hospitality sustainably, with Malaysia as the base and South-east Asia as the next focus.
In his keynote speech at the launch ceremony, Hairil Yahri Yaacob, secretary general, Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry, stated: “The partnership between Riyaz Group and Jinjiang Hotels (China) demonstrates investors’ strong confidence in Malaysia’s economic resilience. It also underscores the importance of global collaboration in solidifying Malaysia’s position as a regional hub for trade, tourism, and sustainable development.
“Ultimately, the value of a partnership like this will be measured not just by rooms opened, but by the quality of opportunities it creates for Malaysians: by how many SMEs join the value chain; by how many young people receive world-class training, and by how effectively we embed sustainability – from energy efficiency to waste reduction – into daily operations.”
Shaheen added: “RJJ Hotels is more than a launch – it is Malaysia’s chance to lead a new era of cross-border hospitality. With Riyaz’s local strength and Jin Jiang’s reach, we are shaping growth that puts Malaysia at the centre of South-east Asia’s tourism story.”
