NEWS & EVENTSIGEM 2022 targets RM3 billion in investment prospectsAbout RM3 billion in green technologyand sustainability-led investmentprospects is the target that thegovernment seeks to secure at theupcoming International Greentech andEco Products Exhibition and ConferenceMalaysia (IGEM) 2022 that is scheduled tobe held from 12-14 October 2022 at theKuala Lumpur Convention Centre.Stressing that the target is RM1billion up from RM2 billion targetedfor last year’s IGEM 2021, Environmentand Water Minister YB Datuk Seri TuanIbrahim Tuan Man said the MalaysiaGreen Technology and Climate ChangeCorporation (MGTC), which co-organisesthe conference with the Ministry ofEnvironment and Water (KASA), tends toachieve much higher investment potentialthan the targets they set each year.“Since this is the first time we areholding the event physically following theCOVID-19 pandemic, we have set a targetof RM3 billon and I am fully confident thatthis can be generated from IGEM 2022,”he said in his speech during the prelaunchof IGEM 2022 on 22 July 2022.From the RM2 billion targeted atIGEM 2021, about RM4.6 billion worthof business prospects were generated,more than the RM3.4 billion achieved atIGEM 2020, which was the first time theconference was held virtually.The gathering this year, which isexpected to attract about 30,000 visitors,will feature 300 exhibition participantsand bring together representatives from30 countries, including Canada, Belgiumand Taiwan.This is the 13 th edition of the IGEM,which has been held annually since 2010and has to date recorded investmentprospects amounting to RM30 billion,and catered to over 500,000 registeredvisitors from 70 countries.The theme for the event this yearis “Race Towards Net Zero: FulfillingSustainable Development Goals (SDG)& Environmental, Social, and CorporateGovernance (ESG) Commitments”,which coincides with the government’saspiration to achieve net zero carbon byas early as 2050.“I would say by 2050 at the earliestbecause the government needs toDatuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim (3 rd from left) with Shamsul Bahar (left), KASA Secretary-General DatukSeri Ir Dr Zaini Ujang (2 nd left) and KASA Deputy Secretary-General (Environment) Noor Afifah AbdulRazak at the pre-launch of IGEM 2022.evaluate the country’s capability andpreparedness to achieve that aspiration,”said the Minister who added that KASAhas appointed a consultant to helpidentify the strategies and resourcesneeded to achieve the 2050 goal.Speaking at a press conferenceafter the pre-launch of IGEM 2022, theMinister said this year’s theme alsoemphasised the aspect of fulfilling theESG commitment by the private sector tojointly curb global warming and climatechange. The conventional businessconcept needed some innovations so asto be more environmentally friendly andsupport the national and global climatechange agendas.He said IGEM 2022 would seepresenters such as Noble Peace Prizewinners, economists and industry playersshare their thoughts on sustainabledevelopment initiatives based on theSDGs and ESG. The event will focus onfour main topics, namely empoweringcities; electrifying mobility; decarbonisingenergy and accelerating circularity.Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim said KASAalso welcomed participation andcooperation from all quarters whowere keen to learn about the latestdevelopments in green technology. TheMalaysian Investment DevelopmentAuthority (MIDA) will provideconsultation to companies keen toinvest in Malaysia, while the MalaysiaExternal Trade Development Corporation(MATRADE) will facilitate local companiesinterested in exporting their productsabroad.Besides exhibitions and conferencesthat focus on local innovation andinitiatives, the three-day event will alsofeature experts from various industries,including government representatives,technology leaders, pioneers, academicsand entrepreneurs who will contributeand share their respective experiences.MGTC Chief Executive Officer ShamsulBahar Mohd Nor in his opening remarkssaid a total of 109 companies have showninterest in participating in IGEM 2022 sofar, besides having received sponsorshipconfirmation from three well-knowncompanies.He is confident that the pre-launchwill attract more exhibitors and sponsorsfor the upcoming IGEM 2022, which hasestablished itself as Southeast Asia’slargest trade event for green technologiesand eco solutions. YAB Prime MinisterDatuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob is expectedto officiate the event.16 July-August 2022 | www.b-i.biz
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