MULTIPLE SIGNINGS BY UEM GROUP SUBSIDIARIES AT COP28 IN DUBAI
DUBAI, 2 December 2023 – In line with the Government's efforts to expedite Malaysia's energy transition, green industry and sustainability, UEM Group Berhad (UEM Group)’s three subsidiaries namely UEM Lestra Berhad (UEM Lestra), PLUS Malaysia Berhad (PLUS) and UEM Edgenta Berhad (UEM Edgenta), today signed several business agreements with domestic and international companies focusing on renewables, energy efficiency and sustainability projects as well as initiatives.
The signing ceremony took place at the Malaysia Pavilion, Expo City, Dubai in the margins of the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) and was witnessed by YB Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, Minister of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change, Datuk Amirul Feisal Wan Zahir, Managing Director of Khazanah Nasional Berhad and Datuk Amran Hafiz Affifudin, Chairman of UEM Group.
"The signing of these business agreements at the sidelines of COP28 demonstrate UEM Group and our subsidiaries’ unwavering commitment to driving the development of the green industry and our wider ambition to foster a more sustainable and responsible business environment in Malaysia and globally.
“Through our partnership with other industry players, we aspire to integrate energy efficiency, environmentally responsible practices and revolutionary sustainability solutions in our operations, as well as in our product and service offerings,” said Dato’ Mohd Izani Ghani, Managing Director of UEM Group, the wholly-owned subsidiary of Khazanah Nasional Berhad.
The signings by subsidiaries of UEM Group which took place today at COP28 are:
1. UEM Lestra, the green industry arm of UEM Group, signed a joint venture agreement with NUR Power Sdn. Bhd. (NUR Power) for the development of a solar plant of up to 500 MWac for Kulim Hi-Tech Park (KHTP).
NUR Power specialises in the generation, transmission, distribution, and retail of electricity power in Malaysia and is the country’s first and only Independent Power Utility granted exclusive rights to sell electricity in KHTP.Dato’ Mohd Izani led the signing for UEM Lestra and NUR Power was represented by its Managing Director Ikhwan Hafiz Jamaludin. Also present was NUR Power’s Chairman, Datuk Wira Ir. Md. Sidek Ahmad.
2. PLUS, the expressway arm of UEM Group, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Gentari Sdn Bhd (Gentari) to collaborate on various areas, including the exploration and development of Electric Vehicle (EV) solutions and ecosystems in Malaysia. This includes the development of EV fast charging infrastructure along PLUS-operated highways, the creation of electric forecourts with mobility retail and F&B offerings, low carbon and mobility hydrogen solutions, and renewable energy with solar energy solutions, specifically in solar and/or battery storage systems. Signing for PLUS was its Managing Director, Datuk Nik Airina Nik Jaffar, and from Gentari was its Chief Executive Officer, Sushil Purohit. The historic occasion was witnessed by PLUS Chairman, Dato’ Mohamad Nasir Ab. Latif.
“PLUS operates a highway network that spans over 1,130km, making our infrastructure the Nation’s backbone of road transportation. Hence, we play a significant role in shaping and contributing to Malaysia’s sustainable development. Working closely with the Ministry of Works (MoW) and Malaysian Highway Authority (MHA), we have developed an EV Charging Infrastructure Roadmap where we aim to install 100 Direct Current Fast Chargers (DCFC) charge points along our highways by 2025. Our partnership with various Charge Point Operators (CPOs) including Gentari represents our joint commitment towards accelerating EV adoption in Malaysia and facilitating the transition into a carbon neutral country by 2050,” said Datuk Nik Airina.
UEM Edgenta, the asset and facility management business of UEM Group, signed several agreements and staged an exchange of documents that was led by its Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Syahrunizam Samsudin.
3. UEM Edgenta has taken a significant step toward sustainable real estate and smart city solutions through its planned acquisition of a 60% stake in Kaizen Group, UAE's leading and award-winning tech-enabled property management services provider. With the signing of the definitive agreement, both parties will work together to create an integrated real estate services platform, enabling the delivery of integrated services and the curation of lifestyle experiences driven by technology and sustainability solutions. Present on behalf of Kaizen Group was its CEO, Fadi Marwan Alnwilati Almasri.
Syahrunizam Samsudin said, "Having Kaizen Group as part of UEM Edgenta represents a strategic move, capitalising on the growth opportunities within the real estate sector. This is fuelled by the Dubai Master Urban Plan 2040, which aims to create a well-being model, ultimately enhancing Dubai's reputation as the premier city for quality living. This integration reinforces the presence of UEM Edgenta in the Middle East, aligning seamlessly with our 'Edgenta of the Future 2025' vision. It expands our international footprint, which already spans Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Indonesia, the UAE, and KSA, while elevating our product and technology offerings in high-growth markets. This venture is a testament to our ongoing commitment to enriching lives and advancing infrastructure on a global scale, all while realising forward-looking technology solutions in sustainable smart city development.
4. UEM Edgenta exchanged Memoranda of Business Exploration (MoBE) with three partners – DISRUPT-X DMCC (Disrupt-X), ZAIN TECHNOLOGIES LLC (Zain Tech) and Tadoom to initiate dedicated initiatives in Oman and the broader Middle East region. Present from Zain Tech was its CEO, Hany Hanna; Tadoom was represented by its CEO, Abdullah Al Badi, and Asim Sajwani, CEO of Disrupt-X.
“In alliance with Zain Tech and Tadoom, UEM Edgenta is embarking on dedicated initiatives in Oman and the broader Middle East region. Disrupt-X plays a pivotal role in this partnership with Zain and Tadoom, focusing on the development of smart cities and sustainability in the built environment by harnessing Internet of Things (IoT) and smart solutions at both the asset level and on a citywide scale,” said Syahrunizam Samsudin.
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