Protemp Group of Companies

THE government wants the country to go green and will use the Prime Minister's office as a benchmark. 

Green technology will be one of the priority areas in the 2011 Budget, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said.

"We need to go green. We have to provide enough incentives for the private and public sectors to invest in green technology," he said in his closing remarks at the 2011 Budget consultation in Putrajaya yesterday.

Najib said the Cabinet has recently approved that the Prime Minister's office be a green building. The project is being implemented.

"I am very keen to see what is happening in my office."

Najib, who is also Finance Minister, was pleased with yesterday's discussions that attracted 455 participants from government agencies, government-linked companies (GLCs), business and corporate bodies, professional organisations, chambers of commerce and industry, academia and non-governmental organisations.

The ministry received 64 memorandums covering a wide spectrum of macro-economics, sectoral and social issues.

"They're very useful ideas that we can pick up. I will combine these with the initiatives carried out by the National Key Economic Areas labs," he said.

Najib said 10 broad areas were identified for discussions. They included human capital for the new economy, smart partnership, private investment, seizing local opportunities, enhancing renewable energy and corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives.

During the nearly three-hour closed-door meeting, there was a call for greater clarity and certainty on the timeline for the government's decision as well as greater public sector efficiency to cascade to the state level and local authorities.

More tax incentives and direct funding should also be made available to boost research and development.

On human capital, life-long education will be addressed to strengthen the quality of education at all levels.

"There is a need for us to encourage CSR activities among our companies to look after the welfare of their employees," Najib said.

He said in some sectors like plantation, there is a need to enhance support that has been given to employees.