The Role of Green Business to be Discussed at NEC 2011
21st May 2011
The National Environment Conference 2011 convened by Asia Inc Forum in partnership with Alcoa, Butra HeidelbergCement, Total and HSBC and supported by Borneo Bulletin and Media Permata themed “Green Brunei: Ideas for a Sustainable Country” will take place at the Rizqun International Hotel on 8th June 2011. The conference will bring together members of the government, business community and other important stakeholders to discuss issues on the state of Brunei’s environmental sustainability.
Last year at the 2010 National Environment Conference, the Honorable Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awg Hj Suyoi bin Hj Osman, Minister of Development called for eco-efficient growth and cautioned that we should safeguard the sustainability of our environmental resources – the air, water, land and its ecosystem – as they they provide the resources and services that not only support human livelihood and well being, but also economic development. For a country like Brunei Darussalam with a limited resource base and confined within a physical area of about 5,765 sq km, environmental sustainability is the “sine qua non” for sustaining our quality of life and our economic competitiveness.
According to Pehin Suyoi “whilst environmental degradation imposes costs to the economy, investment in environmental infrastructure and technology can drive economic growth.” Like environmental conservation and protection, economic growth is essential and of critical importance to improve the health, economic livelihood and quality of life of the people in Brunei as it generates income or revenue that can then be put to use to improve infrastructure and services that contribute to environmental sustainability. To balance growth and environmental protection, environmental sustainability must be mainstreamed and integrated in the country’s development policy and process.
Andrew Dy, General Manager of Asia Inc Forum said “with that cue in mind Asia Inc Forum together with its corporate partners, strive to stimulate discussions that bring new ideas and practical strategies for Brunei going forward at this important juncture of development through the National Environment Conference.”
One of the highlights of the National Environment Conference this year is the open forum discussion on green business. The discussion brings together a panel of practitioner, thought leader and a leading government officer to discuss key issues around environmental projects and green business opportunities relevant in Brunei and to explore the kind of policy framework that the country should be looking at and the kind of capabilities that need to be improved and built upon.
“We will continue to explore best practices and examples from other countries by bringing in experts and practitioners in their field to participate in the conference. We aim to continuously provide a platform for engaging the public and private sector on the issues of environment, stewardship and green business for a sustainable future” said Andrew Dy.
For more information and to register for the conference or the exhibition, please contact Ms Nanette Ramos at 2226555 or email conference@asiaincforum.com or visit our website at www.asiaincforum.com.