ASTANA: Malaysia and Kazakhstan signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to increase bilateral trade and cooperation in green technology and energy.
The MoU will see both countries identifying ways of implementing programmes or projects in areas of green technology, including renewable energy, green buildings, smart cities and carbon emission mitigation.
The MoU was signed by Malaysia’s Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Maximus Johnity Ongkili and Kazakhstan’s Vice-Minister of Energy, Gani Sadibekov at the Malaysia Energy Forum held here today, in conjunction with Astana Expo 2017.
The energy, green technology and water ministry in a statement indicated that Malaysia aimed to achieve RM1 billion in trade, investments and cooperation through its participation at Astana Expo 2017 from June 10 until September 10.
“The MoU will certainly help to achieve this target,” said the statement.
In 2015, the volume of trade between Malaysia and Kazakhstan was about RM429.5 million (USD100 million). However, the figure dropped slightly to RM360.7 million (USD84 million) last year as a result of foreign exchange fluctuations.
Themed, ‘Energy of the Future’, Astana Expo 2017 is an internationally specialised exhibition aimed to inspire global debate between countries, non-governmental organisations, companies and the public regarding the decisive impact that energy management has on the lives of the people and planet. — Bernama