October has flown by and we’re on the cusp of entering the second month of Expo 2020 Dubai. During November, the Malaysia Pavilion will continue to host its 26-week thematic business programmes at its Business Centre.

The Ministry of Environment and Water (KASA) together with its agency Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation (MGTC) will host the Low Carbon Cities trade and business week programme spanning from Sunday, Oct.31, 2021 through Saturday, Nov.6, 2021.

The week will center on the need to transform into low carbon cities by implementing low carbon solutions including energy, mobility, waste and water, with activities such as pocket talks and business matching sessions.

A key event is the “Climate Change Conversation on Sustainable Cities” forum starting at 10.00 am on Monday, Nov.1, 2021 at the Terra Auditorium in the Sustainability Pavilion.

The forum will begin with the Mayor of Kuala Lumpur, Datuk Seri Haji Mahadi Bin Che Ngah speaking on “Road to Carbon Neutral: Kuala Lumpur Low Carbon Society 2030 to Carbon Neutral City 2050, followed by Chief Sustainability Officer of Diamond Developer, Karim El-Jisr taking on the topic “Exploring Net Zero Carbon Cities – Lessons Learnt in the UAE.” The third speaker, founding partner at omniplan AB, Staffan Schartner will speak on ”Zero Carbon Construction”. The roundtable will be moderated by Norliza binti Hashim, CEO of Urbanice.

In the afternoon, the programme will commence at 2.00pm with a seminar on “Accelerating Low Carbon Cities Towards a Low Carbon Future”. Speakers include Mayor of Sepang Municipal Council, Dato Haji Abd Hamid Bin Husain; Rosmahyuddin Baharuddin from KASA; Lee Lih Shyan from the Petaling Jaya City Council; Mamdoh Bin Yusuf from Iskandar Regional Development Authority; and Rozaidi bin Mahat from the Hang Tuah Jaya Municipal Council.

The following three weeks programmes for November will be led by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry Malaysia (MITI) with its agencies. Week six from Sunday, Nov.7 to Saturday, Nov.13, is themed “Sustainable Finance” and will be hosted virtually by MITI and Securities Commission Malaysia. Conversations will highlight the financial sector’s responsibility in driving sustainability, Islamic Finance’s robustness to meet changing needs and Malaysia’s leadership in product and service innovation.

Malaysia is a leader in the global Halal industry development and MITI has dedicated a week to discussing the halal ecosystem. From Sunday, Nov.14 until Saturday, Nov.20, participants can look forward to discussions surrounding the halal ecosystem and halal-related initiatives. Hosted together with the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) and Halal Development Corporation, the Halal Week business programme will be complemented by a Digital Augmented Reality Showcase of Halal Malaysia (DASH)— an Augmented Reality (AR) enabled interactive monitor platform — allowing Malaysian halal organisations to virtually showcase their products and services. Products and services will be presented to users using AR in 2D and 3D formats as well as videos.

This will be followed by Week Eight themed “Northern Corridor Economic Region: Your Preferred Investment Destination in Malaysia” from Sunday, 21st November to Saturday, 27th November. Organised with the Northern Corridor Implementing Agency, it will focus on investment opportunities in the four northern states of Peninsular Malaysia namely, Perlis, Kedah, Penang and Perak.  

Wrapping up November and pooling over into December is the Automotive (EV/EEV) and Green Mobility week. It will feature the latest mobility technology, locally developed in Malaysia and especially focus on green initiatives. Scheduled from Sunday, 28th November to 4th December 2021, the week will be jointly held with Malaysia Automotive, Robotics and IoT Institute.  Aside from the business programmes, ceramic products manufacturer Claytan Group, which is Malaysia Pavilion’s corporate partner is hosting by invite only events to celebrate its 101st anniversary at the Malaysia Pavilion from Tuesday, 16th November until Thursday, 18th November.

Malaysia Pavilion will also treat expo visitors to a kite flying event at Al Forsan Park on Nov.20th, 2021 between 4:30 pm until 6:30 pm to fly butterfly-shaped kites as part of the Pavilion’s #MyButterflyEffect campaign and activities for the public.

Malaysia’s self-built 1,234.05 sq. metre pavilion is the first net zero carbon pavilion at the EXPO. The Pavilion features a rainforest canopy inspired by the majestic tropical rainforest of Malaysia, blending cultural elements with nature and functionality into a futuristic building.  

The Pavilion carries the theme “Energising Sustainability” to represent the nation’s commitment and approach to sustainable development. It is segmented into four sub-themes; “Energising Today”, “Energising Tomorrow”, “Energising Harmony” and “Energising Business”.

Malaysia’s activities during the EXPO will include permanent 3D displays, daily cultural performances, craft demonstrations, café operations as well as 26 weekly thematic trade and business programmes.  

The business weeks will involve a large contingent of 21 ministries, 70 agencies and five state governments initiating and supporting the programmes. They will also bring weekly business delegations from the industry whom will participate in pocket talks, product launches, business matching sessions and signing of MoUs. Malaysia Pavilion will also host and participate in summits and forums throughout Expo.

The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation is the lead ministry for Malaysia’s participation at the mega event.  Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation (MGTC) is the implementing agency.

Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation (MGTC) is an agency under the Ministry of Environment and Water whose scope involves green growth, climate change and sustainable lifestyle.

Three national policies – the National Green Technology Policy (NGTP), the National Climate Change Policy (NCCP) and the Green Technology Master Plan (GTMP) – outline MGTC’s role as a catalyst for green economic growth.

Its three core roles are: Mainstreaming the Green Economy through green product and service expansion programmes such as MyHIJAU Mark Certification Programme, Green Technology Financing Scheme (GTFS) and green technology tax incentives, namely the Green Income Tax Exemption (GITE) and Green Investment Tax Allowance (GITA) In addition it provides training and human capital development schemes.

Drive climate change mitigation actions such as advocacy for energy efficiency and renewable energy, low carbon city programmes and low carbon mobility initiatives.

Cultivate a green lifestyle through publicity and awareness programmes in fostering cooperation between the government and private sectors via global-scale platforms such as the International Greentech and Eco Products Exhibition and Conference Malaysia (IGEM) and other public programmes.