39 European companies sign up for IGEM

KUALA LUMPUR: Thirty-nine European companies have confirmed their participation in the International GreenTech and Eco Products Exhibition Malaysia (IGEM 2010), bringing the total number of exhibitors to 265.

These companies come from nine European Union (EU) countries, namely Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland and Portugal.

The participation of these companies at IGEM 2010 is part of a EU-Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (EUMCCI) project co-funded by the EU, which aims to enhance trade and investment between EU and Malaysia in the services sector.

The focus for this year is Green Tech, an area that has significant potential for cooperation between Malaysia and Europe.

In the three EU Pavilions, renowned global brands and industry leaders such as Alstom, Philips and Siemens will showcase their green products and services alongside smaller firms working in areas as diverse as renewable energy, waste management and environmental finance.

Ambassador and Head of the EU Delegation to Malaysia HE Vincent Piket said that the EU and Malaysia are ideal green tech partners as the EU is a world leader in green technology, while Malaysia is a rich manufacturing base.

“Moreover, once the EU-Malaysia Free Trade Agreement is concluded, Malaysian industries will have preferential access to the EU's single market with its half-a-billion consumers. The FTA will also attract trade, quality investment, capital skills and know-how to Malaysia,” he added.

Meanwhile, over 170 qualified business meetings have been arranged between Malaysian entrepreneurs and EU companies, noted EUMCCI chairman David Jones.

“We have also organised specific workshops to showcase European expertise in green technology. Our hope is that these initiatives will lead to mutually profitable business opportunities, joint ventures and technology transfers.

“IGEM is just one step in the goals set by EUMCCI in cooperation with the EU Delegation to help boost the Malaysian service sector and cooperation between EU and Malaysian companies in areas of green technology, logistics, ICT and financial services,” he said.