Ministry ready to give loans to open green stores: Mahdzir

Bernama
April 27, 2015 00:00 MYT

Mahdzir Khalid says criteria for eligibility as a GR!N Store include green practices such as efficient energy usage and waste management, eco-labelling of products, and promotion of green products. - File Photo

Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid said his ministry is prepared to give loans to companies keen on opening shops that promote environmentally friendly products.

To qualify for the Green Technology Funding Scheme (GTFS), companies have to have certification such as from Sirim or the MyHijau scheme, he told reporters after opening a 'GR!N Store' here today.

The store, located at Super Pharmacy Warehouse in Petaling Jaya, is the first of its kind in Malaysia, and is a collaboration between Green Purchasing Network Malaysia (GPNM) and Symbion Biotech Sdn Bhd.

Mahdzir said criteria for eligibility as a GR!N Store include green practices such as efficient energy usage and waste management, eco-labelling of products, and promotion of green products.

He said collaboration between the public and private sectors is vital to further enhance the green technology industry, which in 2013 contributed RM7.9 billion or 0.8 per cent to the country's Gross Domestic Product.

According to the GTFS website, an eligible company can get a loan of up to RM10 million to promote green products.

#Energy Green Technology and Water Ministry #GR1N Store #Green Technology #Green Technology Funding Scheme #GTFS #Mahdzir Khalid