Region’s Largest Green Technology Platform Continues to Spur Socio-Economic Growth
As a strategic socio-economic platform, integrating green technology, innovation and business, the recently held International Greentech & Eco Products Exhibition and Conference Malaysia (IGEM) 2015 delivered on its “Powering the Green Economy” theme by confirming a record of RM2 billion business leads, the highest compared to the past five years.
IGEM 2015 was held from 9th to 12th September 2015 and organised by the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water (KeTTHA) with co-organiser Malaysian Green Technology Corporation (GreenTech Malaysia). Its strategic partners included Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) and Malaysian Exhibition Services Sdn. Bhd., and had attracted participants from among top Government officials, leading innovators, aspiring entrepreneurs, keen students and curious public from over 50 countries.
Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Y.B. Datuk Seri Panglima Dr. Maximus Johnity Ongkili was pleased that IGEM 2015 exceeded its targeted RM1.2 billion in business lead despite concerns that the currency devaluation and current global economic situation would impede growth and investors interest in green businesses and collaborations in the green technology sector.
Y.B. Datuk Seri Panglima Dr. Maximus Johnity further said, “However, the outcome showed that IGEM 2015 managed to generate RM1.98 billion in business leads. Based on feedback from exhibitors, there was better quality of visitors to IGEM while the visitors also found that the exhibits were more focussed.”
“From the RM1.98 billion, the MIDA business consultation generated the most business leads at RM1.26 billion or about 64%, proving that Malaysia’s focus on green technology to drive the green economy has the support of the local and international industry,” he added.
The Minister is confident that IGEM is still a main platform for Malaysia to provide the impetus to further power the green economy, through the networking and knowledge-sharing opportunities it provides.
The impressive business leads were also contributed by the MATRADE International Business Matching, MIGHT’s Investor Connect Workshop and One-to-one Bizmatch Programme as well as the series of Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) signed during the four-day exhibition and conference.
MoUs affirmed during IGEM 2015 included agreements between the Government of Malaysia and the Royal Government of Cambodia to exchange knowledge and expertise in developing their respective green technology sectors; Prasarana Malaysia Berhad and CMS Consortium Sdn. Bhd., for the expansion of COMOS EV Car Sharing Programme; and a collaboration between Pertubuhan Peladang Kawasan (PPK) Pendang Selatan and Kedah and Free-the-Seed Sdn. Bhd., to convert biomass from paddy husks into high value biodegradable packaging products which will consequently increase the income of the estimated 1,300 farmers in Kedah.
GreenTech Malaysia also inked several partnerships, namely with; The New Motion from the Kingdom of the Netherlands, to fast-track the rollout of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in Malaysia; Voltron, a local electric bicycle manufacturer, to encourage a shift to clean transportation; Airestec, air quality experts utilising green technology to boost energy efficiency and improve indoor air quality; Green Data Center LLP and Computer Recovery Facility Sdn. Bhd., cooling technology and data centre operators respectively, to develop green data centres to reduce energy wastage; MyInnoHub, a corporation under the purview of Ministry of Education, to catalyse and encourage innovation in green technologies.
Speaking about the partnerships, Tan Sri Peter Chin Fah Kui, Chairman of GreenTech Malaysia said, “The green technology sector is a very dynamic industry with continuing innovations and advancements. To keep abreast with these rapid development, strategic partnerships form the key that enable green entrepreneurs to flourish to truly unlock the potential of green technology.”
Apart from the exhibition which attracted the participation of 350 exhibitors across 450 booths, IGEM 2015 also featured several insightful conferences including the Green Financing Forum themed “Unleashing Public and Private Finance for Growth”, which was jointly organised by GreenTech Malaysia and IBFIM. Resulting from the various insights gained from the Forum, Malaysia will continue its commitment to nurture more green projects through the enhancement of the current Green Technology Financing Scheme as well as explore other avenues to provide greater access to green financing.
Another key conference held during IGEM was the 3rd E-Mobilia World, ASEAN’s premier sustainable mobility conference organised by GreenTech Malaysia and Koelnmesse and the Conference on Energy Efficient Technologies in Malaysia organised by ASEAN’s Centre of Energy. A key takeaway from this Conference was the need for Malaysia to implement policy instruments such as the import and excise duty exemptions, differentiated road tax for low-emission vehicles and other regulatory support strategies to promote sustainable transportation.
IGEM 2015 also gained support from various embassies resulting in events such as the Renewable Energy Seminar organised by the Swedish Embassy and the Symposium on Green Building Solutions and Sustainable Construction jointly organised by the EUMCCI, the Malaysian-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the British-Malaysian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and AICEP Portugal Global. These forums and seminars are crucial to speed up developments in the renewable energy and green building sector respectively.
To encourage and nurture “green” interest among the youth, KeTTHA’s Yayasan Hijau Malaysia (YaHijau) via the YaHijau Green Youth Programme, invited 500 students to participate during the final day of IGEM 2015. Students were briefed on environmental and sustainability issues as well as the prospects for green business through specifically tailored programmes including the Green Entrepreneurship and Eco-Green Seminars alongside hands-on learning activities.
During IGEM, Y.B. Datuk Seri Panglima Dr. Maximus Johnity Ongkili presented awards to booths based on the most creative design and incorporation of eco-materials. For booths that were 36 square meters and below in area, the first prize was awarded to DRB-Hicom Environmental Services Sdn. Bhd., followed by IHI Corporation and Malaysia Timber Industry Board in the second and third place respectively. For booths that were above 36 square meters, the best booth was awarded to Hitachi Asia Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., followed by Korea Environment Industry and Technology Institute in the second place and Tenaga Nasional Bhd in the third place.
Leveraging on the success of IGEM 2015 and to further drive the momentum, preparations for IGEM 2016 are already underway, with the dates scheduled for 5th to 8th October 2016 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.
For further details on the success of IGEM 2015 and for details on how to be a part of IGEM 2016, please visit www.igem.my
