KUALA LUMPUR: The Netherlands views Malaysia as a valuable ally that could assist the kingdom in achieving a fully circular economy by 2050.
In a statement, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands said the Dutch could not achieve the goal by themselves and success depends on finding international partners and working in close cooperation.
"Malaysia's commitments to reduce greenhouse gases and improve recycling rates make it a valuable ally.
"During their visit to Malaysia, the Dutch delegation took an in-depth look at common practices and shared their ideas for solutions in circularity and waste management, all the while trying to strengthen ties with Malaysia in the common journey towards a circular economy," it said.
At the International Greentech & Eco Products Exhibition & Conference Malaysia (IGEM), ten participating Dutch companies and research institutes showcased innovations and solutions to transition to circularity.
Holland Circular Hotspot (HCH) led the delegation, a foundation committed to a circular future, both in the Netherlands and abroad.
The need to work together was also a central theme during the Netherlands Innovation Forum.
Ambassador-Designate at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Malaysia, His Excellency Jaap Werner, stressed the importance of the forum and called the event another groundbreaking moment that shows the world needs to move away from a linear economy to a circular one.
"The Netherlands has high ambitions to be fully circular by 2050.
"The 10 Dutch companies and knowledge institutes that participated in IGEM showcased innovative solutions for circularity and waste management while learning from international partners simultaneously," said Werner.
In a friendly meeting, the current and potential future cooperation between Malaysia and the Netherlands was further discussed when representatives of the Malaysian Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) and its agency, SWCorp, met with the Dutch delegation.