Thursday 28 Mar 2024
By
main news image

KUALA LUMPUR: Policymakers and industry players should work together so that sectors related to water, land and natural resources can attain their full growth potential, said Dr Xavier Jayakumar, the minister in charge of the portfolio dealing with the three areas.

"The ministry believes that Malaysia has significant upside potential for more robust growth in sectors related to water, land and natural resources. Thus policymakers and industries must work hand in hand in transforming and leveraging on this strategic sectors so that it can roll out its full potential to create and capture more value," he said during his keynote speech at the iInvestor Conference hosted by RHB Banking Group on Thursday, according to a statement issued by RHB. 

He said this effort must be pursued through relevant and sound knowledge, with good practices, to ensure a balance between economic prosperity, social well-being and environmental protection towards sustainable development. 

The one-day conference, themed "Industry Reform in Malaysia", highlighted the government's efforts to reform the water and energy industries, as well as explore a more efficient model for electricity generation and consumption -- including the propagation of greater renewable energy usage in Malaysia. 

Attracting more than 100 local institutional investors, the conference was attended by Xavier, together with the minister of energy, science, technology environment and climate change Yeo Bee Yin, the chairman of Suruhanjaya Perkhidmatan Air Negara (SPAN) Charles Santiago, and the chairman of Energy Commission Malaysia Datuk Ir Ahmad Fauzi Hasan. 

Among those from Corporate Malaysia that made presentations during the conference were Fitters Diversified Bhd, Ranhill Holdings Bhd, Cypark Resources Bhd and Malakoff Corp Bhd.

In addressing the conference, Yeo shared her ministry’s extensive initiatives in energy reform especially renewable energy, research and development, start-up funding and climate change. She also lauded RHB’s efforts in providing investors and government a platform for discourse and to drive vibrant investment opportunities in the energy sector.

Meanwhile, RHB group managing director Datuk Khairussaleh Ramli, in welcoming participants of the conference, said  RHB is pleased to be able to play a part through this conference by bringing the federal government, government agencies and investors on a common platform to discuss issues, share insights and discover opportunities on water services industry and energy reforms in Malaysia. 

"Malaysia should look for game changers to transform the country's energy landscape as the United Nation's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is coming closer. Investments into renewable energy technology is expected to be a long-term solution to the rapidly rising energy demand across the globe as well as locally, and thus, limiting pollution as well as emission levels," Khairussaleh added. 

      Print
      Text Size
      Share