KUALA LUMPUR: Rentals for purpose-built offices in suburban areas outside Kuala Lumpur are expected to rise with vibrant business activities, good information and communications technology (ICT) and government projects there, says the Valuation and Property Services Department (JPPH) of the Finance Ministry.

"Domestic and foreign investors in the region will also make it attractive," said Dr Zailan Mohd Isa, Director of the National Property Information Centre (NAPIC), a unit under JPPH.

She was speaking to reporters after the launch of the Purpose-Built Office Rent Index (PBO-RI) for Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur for the first to fourth quarters 2011 by Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Dr Awang Adek Hussin here today.

The first rent index of its kind in Southeast Asia was developed by NAPIC to provide a guide on current office rentals in Kuala Lumpur besides being a benchmark of the country's financial stability.

It comprises sub-indexes for four main regions -- the KLCC-Golden Triangle (KLCC-GT), Central Business District (CBD), within city centre (WCC), and selected suburban areas.

-- BERNAMA