PM banking on green biz

KUALA LUMPUR: With proper execution and monitoring, green businesses can contribute RM22bil to Malaysia’s gross domestic product (GDP) by 2020 and RM60bil by 2030, says the Prime Minister.

Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said these businesses were also expected to contribute much more in green technology investments – RM28bil by 2020 and RM86bil by 2030.

Najib said the Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry as well as other agencies had been empowered to ensure policies were executed efficiently and effectively.

“As we prepare to become a high income status economy by 2020, it is critical for us to adapt towards an economy that strikes the right balance between green and pro-business approaches.

“The two can, in fact, be combined with the introduction of new green technologies,” said Najib in his keynote address at the 6th International Greentech and Eco-Products Exhibition and Conference Malaysia.

Stating that his administration had always given priority to the green agenda, he said over the next five years, Malaysia needed to promote sustainable consumption and production along with conserving natural resources.

“Making sure we reconcile growth with the limits of our natural world will ensure Malaysia’s precious environment and landscape is conserved and protected,” said Najib, adding that a green culture needed to be developed and cultivated among all Malaysians.

He said as a nation, we must not ignore mother nature.

“The health of our natural world has too great a bearing on the health of our nation and economy,” he said.

He also announced that the Government had embarked on a pilot project to transform Langkawi into Malaysia’s first “low carbon island”.

A feasibility study on Low Carbon Lang­kawi 2030 is being undertaken with Jeju Island, South Korea, as a comparative benchmark.

A memorandum of understanding was also signed between Malaysia and Cambodia to cooperate in the fields of green technology.

Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili and Cambodia Minister of Environment Dr Say Samal exchanged documents signifying this cooperation.