GIVE CONTRACTS TO ECO-CONSCIOUS FIRMS, GOVT URGED

KUALA LUMPUR May 21 (Bernama) -- The government should emphasise on awarding
contracts to eco-conscious companies to spearhead the growth of more
environment-friendly businesses in the country.

President, Green Purchasing Network Malaysia, Mustafa Mansur, said the
government's support could help create a whole new sector of corporations acting
in an environmentally-responsible manner.

"The government is the biggest procurement house in the country so it should
take the lead in encouraging businessmen to come out with more green products
and services," he told a media briefing after opening the National Conference on
Green Procurement in the public sector here Thursday.

Mustafa, who is also president of Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers,
said the public and private sector purchasers spent trillion of dollars every
year and by 'greening' the purchases, it could contribute significantly to the
promotion of green products and services.

Besides that, he said, it could also lead to the promotion of green
technology.

Green purchasing is defined as the purchase of any products and services
that will have a lesser impact on environment and demonstrating social
responsibility and ethics.

He said setting up a ministry that focused on green technology could spur
further initiative in implementing green purchasing and government green
procurement (GGP) in line with the regional and global movements.

"GGP will ensure the country nurtures environmentally-conscious industries
to maintain a good balance between the environment and the economy," he said.

However, he said, there was a need to formulate relevant legislation and
strategies to promote green products and services.

"The European Union has introduced stringent environmental standards for
many products," he said.
-- BERNAMA