Image credit: The Star
ROMPIN: Government agencies have been urged to be more business-friendly and forge smart partnerships with the private sector.
Deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the business sector, by being provided opportunities in various fields, could help increase the income of the people and the country as a whole.
Zahid, who is minister for rural and regional development, said agencies under his ministry could embark on joint ventures involving underutilised land.
“We can no longer think or move in silos. We have to work together, establish connections and be business-friendly with the private sector… Don’t be apprehensive. Give them a chance, eventually, they will contribute to the government in the form of corporate taxes and also assist in economic growth,” said Zahid.
“This in turn brings economic spillover and provides job opportunities to the people, especially those in the rural areas. This is a shared victory for all those involved,” he said when opening a Risda palm oil biogas project in Ulu Keratong near here today.
Zahid said the biogas project was the result of cooperation between Risda and a private company, Alliance Concord Green Sdn Bhd and would be able to operate for 21 years, generating about 14.8 million kilowatt-hours of renewable energy every year.
About 3,000 rural families would be assured of stable electricity supply, allowing them to live more comfortable lives and creating opportunities for small entrepreneurs to advance their businesses.
“The treatment of palm oil mill effluent will contribute to environmental sustainability by reducing approximately 72,000 tons of carbon dioxide annually,” he said.
The biogas project is part of efforts for renewable energy to contribute 40% of energy supplies by 2035 and for Malaysia to achieve low-carbon status by 2040.
Source: https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2023/08/27/be-more-business-friendly-govt-agencies-told/