Kuala Lumpur - The Minister of Energy at the Prime Minister's Office , Pehin Datu Singamanteri Colonel (Rtd) Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Awg Hj Mohd Yasmin bin Hj Umar attended the 3rd International Greentech & Ecoproducts Exhibition & Conference (IGEM) 2012 held in Kuala Lumpur from Oct 11 to 13. Accompanying the minister was Awg Hj Jamain bin Hj Julaihi, Permanent Secretary (Downstream & Power) at the Prime Minister's Office and senior government officials from the Energy Department at the Prime Minister's Office (EDPMO).

According to a press release from the Energy Department at the Prime Minister's Office, the IGEM 2012 was officiated by Malaysia's Prime Minister Dato' Sri Najib Tun Razak and carried the theme, "Green Technology for Growth".

More than 600 booths were set up by 330 companies, showcasing eco-products, electric vehicles and waste water management, thus giving companies and the general public a chance to get the latest information regarding the green technology market. Furthermore, it also provided businesses with opportunities for business matching.

Pehin Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Awg Hj Mohd Yasmin was also invited to become one of the panellists at the Ministerial Dialogue session, which was held in conjunction with IGEM 2012 on October 12. Also on the panel were Dato' Sri Peter Chin Fah Kui, Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water of Malaysia; Mr Janusz Zaleski, Under-Secretary of State at the Ministry of Environment and Chief Nature Consevator, Republic of Poland; and Mr Ong Keng Yorg, Singapore High Commissioner to Malaysia.

During the Ministerial Dialogue, Pehin Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Awg Hj Mohd Yasmin stated that Brunei has set a target of reducing its energy intensity by 45 per cent by 2035, with 2005 as the baseline, in-line with APEC Leader's 2011 Declaration in Honolulu.
He further highlighted the importance of energy efficiency and conservation (EEC), and that one of the many ways - which is currently being implemented - to improve EEC in Brunei is by educating the public at an early stage such as in schools. Meanwhile, in recognition of Research and Development which is a vital component of innovation for EEC technological advancement, the Brunei Research Council (BRC) is providing up to 70 per cent of government funding for research conducted with local higher institutions.