The Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) has set an ambitious goal of attracting RM300 billion in green investments by 2030, in line with Malaysia’s commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions.
Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz revealed that from 2017 to 2023, Malaysia secured green investments totalling approximately RM40 billion.
“Through the Green Investment Strategy (GIS), we aim to boost this figure to RM300 billion by 2030. This target is highly ambitious, but it is crucial for achieving our net-zero carbon emissions goal by 2050, as outlined in the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR),” Tengku Zafrul said during a press conference announcing the GIS.
He explained that the GIS was crafted with a range of key policies to ensure a holistic and complementary approach, avoiding overlap with existing policies.
The GIS supports long-term national plans such as the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) and the MADANI Economic Framework, which outline strategies for inclusive and sustainable economic development.
Regarding Budget 2025, Tengku Zafrul emphasised the need for incentives from the Ministry of Finance to help local businesses transition to green energy.
“For instance, inefficient factories contribute to higher carbon emissions. To enhance efficiency, these businesses must invest in modern technologies. We are looking into how local companies and small and medium-sized enterprises can benefit from these incentives or access lower-cost financing to support their shift to green energy,” he explained.
In terms of economic impact, the GIS is projected to contribute RM80 billion to Malaysia’s GDP and create 350,000 high-skilled jobs by 2030.
Furthermore, Tengku Zafrul noted that MITI will work with Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) to expand the criteria and scope of green financing.
“We are looking to extend the criteria and scope of green financing to make it more inclusive, particularly for smaller enterprises such as SMEs, which have previously encountered challenges in meeting financing requirements,” he added.
