KUALA LUMPUR: The Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) will ensure industry access to sustainable markets, while improving resource efficiency, strengthening governance and supporting the country's net-zero target.

Its minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, said the MITI Sustainability Report 2023, launched today, aims to develop a trade and industry sector that incorporates sustainable practices.

"The purpose of this report is to demonstrate that we not only expect the industry to adopt sustainability measures, but as a government ministry, MITI must also lead by example with its own report.

"This highlights our focus on sustainability, including environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues," he told the media after launching MITI Day 2024 today.

Tengku Zafrul noted that the report was produced and published entirely in-house, with third-party audit verification to ensure its credibility.

"This effort is expected to encourage more industry players to undertake their own sustainability reporting, as this initiative not only benefits the environment and future generations but also enhances business competitiveness.

"This is the first sustainability report of its kind at the ministry level in the country and follows the launch of MITI's National ESG Framework last year," he added.

Meanwhile, Tengku Zafrul said the MITI Open Day highlighted key aspects of the ministry's industrial policy implementation, including the National Automotive Policy 2020, the National Semiconductor Strategy (NSS), and the New Industrial Master Plan 2030 (NIMP 2030).

He described the initiative as a people-centric concept, focusing on five core elements: investment, international trade, industrial development, job opportunities and community engagement.

"For those seeking employment, our career carnival offers over 2,600 job opportunities from more than 22 companies for graduates in attendance.

"We are also prioritising the TVET training sector. Among the training providers present today are the Department of Human Resources, Volkswagen Group Malaysia, German Malaysian Institute, AERO Malaysia Engineering Center, and Advanced Technology Training Center (ADTEC) Shah Alam," he added.

- BERNAMA