@Green March/April 2022 | Page 14

14 EVENT

@ green | March-April , 2022

Targeting RM3b in business leads

IGEM will return in October 2022 with a hybrid format , physically from Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre

DESPITE the challenge of the Covid-19 pandemic , Malaysia is committed to driving the country ’ s green growth , climate change mitigation and green lifestyle . This commitment is evident in the success of the 12th International Greentech & Eco Products Exhibition & Conference Malaysia ( IGEM 2021 ), held virtually over six months from July to the end of December last year .

During the virtual event , The Ministry of Environment and Water ( KASA ), the Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation ( MGTC ), Malaysian Investment Development Authority ( MIDA ) and Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation ( MATRADE ) successfully recorded business leads worth RM4.6 billion through Memorandum of Understanding and Memorandum of Cooperation agreements .
IGEM 2021 ’ s theme , “ Redefining Sustainability ”, focused on delivering sustainable economic and social well-being in a planet-friendly manner . The region ’ s largest trade event for green technologies and eco-solutions achieved commendable results , recording over 15,000 policymakers , entrepreneurs , industry experts and other delegates from over 50 countries , who explored the 195 booths and participated in the over 144 conference sessions .
KASA Deputy Minister Dato ’ Mansor Othman said the ministry was very committed to enhancing the action of addressing climate change , stating that the effort was disclosed in the country ’ s statement in conjunction with the COP 26 conference held in Glasgow , UK , in November 2021 .
“ In addition to delivering commendable results , the ventures signed at IGEM 2021 cover future-ready sectors such as hydrogen , electric vehicles and low carbon cities . These sectors strongly support the government ’ s sustainable economy agenda while also ensuring the creation of longterm employment opportunities for the Rakyat ,” he added .
IGEM 2022 will be held in hybrid format
In line with efforts to transition to an endemic phase in the national Covid-19 mitigation strategy , Mansor also announced that IGEM 2022 would take on a hybrid format . A physical exhibition will be held
for three days at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre from Oct 12 to 14 , 2022 . Virtual IGEM 2022 will be held one month before the physical event .
IGEM 2022 targets RM3 billion in business leads and 30,000 visitors , featuring 300 exhibitor booths , both online and across three exhibition halls at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre . The event will be a crucial focus among stakeholders in implementing and coordinating more effective strategies for climate change in the country .
MIDA confirmed its participation in IGEM 2022 and will continue to play an important role to facilitate inbound investments in the manufacturing and services sectors . IGEM 2021 ’ s virtual booths have yielded 71 project leads with a potential investment of RM2.52 billion in various activities .
MIDA CEO Datuk Arham Abdul Rahman said : “ Working together with KASA on IGEM , over the years , we have been able to attract strategic projects that are aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals ( SDG ) and Environmental , Sustainability and Good Governance ( ESG ) policies for Malaysia .”
Arham explained that these green technologies and environmentally conscious business models were crucial in positioning Malaysia as a sustainable and ESG-compliant investment destination , a critical competitive advantage for global brands .
New opportunities for green technologies deployment
IGEM 2021 has acted as a catalyst through forums such as the inaugural International Hydrogen Economy Forum and Strategic Lab , ‘ Visioning a Hydrogen Economy for Malaysia ’ in collaboration with KASA , the Ministry of Science Technology and Innovation ( MOSTI ), MGTC and Nano Malaysia .
This forum explored Malaysia ’ s position as a regional leader in producing green hydrogen as a source of clean energy in power production and transportation and an impetus for new economic growth and new employment opportunities .
IGEM 2021 exhibitors also had the opportunity to promote Malaysia ’ s green innovations and expertise globally . The event was part of KASA ’ s month-long programme held at the Malaysia Pavilion in Expo 2020 Dubai .
Looking at the success of IGEM 2021 , MGTC CEO Shamsul Bahar Mohd Nor said he was confident that the upcoming IGEM would once again surface new opportunities for more significant deployment of green and sustainable technologies in the regional post-Covid economic recovery . It would also help enhance climate change mitigation and speed up the roll-out of climate change adaptation technologies and strategies .
“ Thank you to our exhibitors , conference partners , strategic partners and visitors for their support and hope that they will reaffirm their commitment by joining us and being a part of IGEM 2022 as we focus our collective efforts to accelerate net-zero ,” Shamsul Bahar added . — @ Green
( From left ) Shamsul Bahar Mohd Nor , Dato ' Mansor Othman and Datuk Arham Abdul Rahman .