by NUR HAZIQAH A MALEK/ pic by BERNAMA

THE government will be opening the construction tender for the Malaysia Pavilion in Dubai Expo 2020, following the design team Hijjas Architects and Planners’ victory against 15 other competitors.

“Just a month ago, we confirmed the winner, which was Hijjas Architects and Planners. Now we open up the construction tender this month and by the end of it we will award the contractor,” the Minister of Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change (MESTECC) Yeo Bee Yin said at the unveiling of Malaysia Pavilion for Dubai Expo 2020 (Expo 2020) in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

She said the creation of the pavilion would be in two parts, the design and the construction.

“Any agency tasked with designing the Malaysia Pavilion at Expo 2020 will need to showcase Malaysia’s success in balancing socioeconomic progress and environmental conservation to an influential international audience — a mandate which we are confident Hijjas Architects and Planners can deliver given their impressive track record,” she said.

The Pavilion titled the Rainforest Canopy will be located in the Sustainability District during the event, which is segmented into four areas.

The segments are “Energising Today”, which focuses on how agri-commodities have shaped the country’s socioeconomic development and “Energising Tomorrow”, which showcases the country’s commitment to becoming a high- income nation while reducing carbon emissions.

There are also “Energising Harmony” and “Energising Business” which respectively highlights the nation’s diverse cultures, traditions and races cooperation towards the country’s progress, as well as depict the private sector, state-owned enterprises and government initiatives’ role in promoting sustainable development.

The firm’s architect and director Serina Hijjas (picture) said the task to display the country’s diverse culture through architecture on the world stage was “herculean”.

“However, we are confident we will bring the concept of the rainforest canopy to life.

“We were inspired by Malaysia’s indigenous treehouses and have applied a modern approach by incorporating solar energy, water harvesting and sustainably sourced materials, which reflects our passion to promote eco-friendly buildings for a sustainable and climate conscious future,” she said.

Previously, the firm designed the Malaysia Pavilion at Milan Expo 2015, and has been accredited with several of the nation’s landmarks such as the Tabung Haji building, the Telekom Tower and the Putrajaya International Convention Centre.

Malaysian Green Technology Corp (GreenTech Malaysia) was also appointed as the implementing agency, tasked with charting a comprehensive programme for the Expo 2020, based on six clusters.

Meanwhile, GreenTech Malaysia acting CEO and COO Syed Ahmad Syed Mustafa said the company is mandated to expand the innovation and sustainability adoption across all sectors.

“We are coordinating and collaborating with several parties to offer Malaysian companies expanded opportunities at an incredible venue globally recognised for thriving trade, technology and tourism,” he said.

The six clusters included in the company’s tasks are: Sustainable Agriculture and Agro-commodity; Energy, Science, Technology and Innovation, Environment and Climate Change; Culture, Tourism, Education and Youth; E-commerce and Information and Communications Technology; Trade and Fourth Industrial Revolution as well as Malaysia Sustainability Week.

Previously, it was reported that the pavilion is expected to attract potential trade and investment value worth RM10 billion, 1,000 business leads and 20 memoranda of understandings or partnership agreements.

Expo 2020 will be held for six months beginning from Oct 20, 2020, which targets to build partnerships with the participation of 192 nations and 25 million expected visits.

To expand the country’s sustainability footprint, MESTECC alongside GreenTech Malaysia will be organising the International GreenTech and Eco Products Exhibition and Conference Malaysia at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre between Oct 9 and 11, with a target of RM2.8 billion in business leads.

Source : The Malaysian Reserve