ASTANA: Malaysia has generated a total of RM12.7 billion in business leads with companies based in the Republic of Kazakhstan, China and Switzerland in the three-months of its participation in Astana Expo 2017.
Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Dr. Maximus Johnity Ongkili said the total figure from the potential trade and investment was garnered from 14 memorandum of understanding (MoUs) signed, which valued at RM5.05 billion as well as business matching sessions that received potential businesses valued at RM7.6 billion.
“This surpassed the RM1 billion initial trade and investment target that Malaysia has set for Expo 2017 in Astana. I am confident that these MoUs will take off especially with the full amount of support given by both Governments of Malaysia and Kazakhstan,” he said at a press conference after the Malaysia-Kazakhstan Energy Business Forum on Wednesday.
The MoUs cover the areas of green technology cooperation, education, oil and gas, innovation, water and wastewater and entrepreneurship.
Maximus said there are opportunities for Malaysian companies to venture into the oil and gas as well as Islamic green financing industries besides renewable energy sector in Kazakhstan.
"The Expo 2017 has served as a platform for Malaysia to engage with Kazakhstan and strenghten our relationship. I’m confident that moving forward we will continue to work together even after Expo ends,” he added.
One of the areas that Malaysia and Kazakhstan will work together on is to achieve the countries’ mutually equivalent renewable energy generation mix target of 50 per cent by 2050.
In order to realise the goal, Maximus said Malaysia had rolled out its plans and programs such as the National Energy Efficiency Action Plan (NEEAP) 2016-2025 to jumpstart energy efficient culture in the country.
Meanwhile, the Malaysian pavilion at the Expo 2017 exhibition had recorded a total number of 618,256 visitors as of 5th September, 2017 from June 10.
Maximus said the Malaysia pavilion has achieved remarkable success being among the top most visited pavilions and most active for business programs at Expo 2017.”
“We clearly reaffirmed our commitment to powering green growth and showcases that renewable energy, energy efficiency and sustainable practices must work in unison to create a green future,” he added.
The Malaysian pavilion was selected for Honourable Mention for the Best Intepretation of Theme by the US-based Exhibitor Magazine.
The Expo 2017 will officially end on Sept 10.
Malaysia’s participation in the exhibition was spearheaded by the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water and implemented by the Malaysian Green Technology Corp as well as supported by its title sponsor, Tenaga Nasional Bhd.