Green Technology To Contribute US$21.4 Bln To GDP By 2030

By Azlee Nor Mahmud KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 14 (Bernama) -- The green technology sector is expected to contribute US$21.4 billion (RM70 billion) to gross domestic product (GDP) in 2030, says Malaysian Green Technology Corp (GreenTech) chief executive officer, Ir Ahmad Hadri Haris. Ahmad Hadri said the sector, which currently contributed US$1.52 billion (RM5 billion) to the GDP, has enormous potentials to achieve the target. "If you look at Europe, there is a strong push for clean energy, especially in the individual homes, transport, building industry and the power sectors. "It will cascade down to this part of the world, as there are 600 million population in this region and they are in need of energy, transportation, water and waste management," he told Bernama. He said apart from the contributions to GDP, the green technology would also spur business opportunities. "This is one area (green technology) can grow further and that is the reason a platform like the International Greentech and Eco Products Exhibition and Conference Malaysia 2014 (IGEM 2014) is important as a gateway for us," he said. Ahmad Hadri said IGEM has been recognised as a key event in this region. IGEM 2014, themed 'Creating Green Wealth', will be held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre from Oct 15-19. It is expected to attract 60,000 visitors to the exhibition. IGEM 2014 will start with a series of conference with topics focusing on green growth, sustainability, financing and investments, green technologies, information and communication technology, innovations and solar energy. GreenTech expected about 600 booths from 16 countries and Malaysian state governments, he said. He said IGEM was not conference and exhibition per se but there would be other parallel activities. "One of them is the industry dialogue with the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water. "Minister Dr Maximus Johnity Ongkili and industry representatives from Singapore and Cambodia will be present," he said. Ahmad Hadri said there would be business-matching sessions organised by Malaysia External Trade Development Corp and Malaysian Investment Development Authority. He said there would also be the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water Excellence Awards for leading industry players as well as green promoters Deputy Prime Minister, Muhyiddin Yassin would present the awards, he said. IGEM has also received support from EU-Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and Industry to bring in innovative European companies to showcase their technologies and introduce business partners to local stakeholders. GreenTech Malaysia, a not-for-profit organisation under the purview of the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water, is the co-organiser of IGEM 2014 along with their event partner, Expomal. -- BERNAMA