Delegates attending business events in Malaysia can now do their share for the environment by participating in the country’s first ever environmental programme for business tourism.
Aptly named the Malaysia Business Tourism Green Programme, this initiative is spearheaded by the Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB).
The Malaysia Business Tourism Green Programme was launched in support of the government’s commitment to offset carbon emissions by 40 percent by year 2020 and in line with the Ministry of Tourism’s ‘Malaysia Green, Malaysia Clean’ campaign.
The programme was officiated by YBhg Dato' Dr Ong Hong Peng, Secretary-General of Ministry of Tourism on behalf of the Minister of Tourism, YB Dato’ Sri Dr Ng Yen Yen in a symbolic tree planting ceremony at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.
“The programme operated on the simple premise whereby the participating event’s delegates are given the opportunity to contribute a minimum USD10 (RM31) as part of event registration. Contributions collected will be channelled to the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM)’s tree planting activity which was readily established,” said YB Dato’ Sri Dr Ng.
“For a convention of 3,000 delegates and a donation of USD10 per delegate, even if only 30 percent of the delegates choose to contribute, FRIM would be able to plant more than 270 trees in the event’s name."
YB Dato’ Sri Dr Ng added that “even the smallest contribution can make a positive difference in leaving an ongoing environmental legacy in Malaysia by preserving, conserving and protecting nature”.
She further urged meeting planners and event organisers to participate in the programme and to encourage event delegates to join in the efforts to green the earth in conjunction with their meetings and events in Malaysia.
The first major international congress supporting the programme is the 18th World Congress of Accountants 2010, hosted from 8 to 11 November in Kuala Lumpur. The Congress is expected to attract 6,000 delegates, making it the largest international congress in Malaysia for the year.
Also present at the event were MyCEB Chief Executive Officer, Mr Zulkefli Hj Sharif, local industry partners and representatives from Tourism Malaysia and Malaysian Institute of Accountants.
