KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 10): Resorts World Genting (RWG), owned and operated by Genting Malaysia Bhd (KL:GENM), is set to sign a total of five memorandum of understandings (MOUs) worth RM12 million at its first sustainability focused exhibition, Genting SustainBiz F&B Expo at Genting International Convention Centre.

The Genting SustainBiz F&B Expo, which commenced on Tuesday until Thursday (Sept 12), kicked off with the signing of the first MOU with Nestle (Malaysia) Bhd (KL:NESTLE) for the supply of Harvest Gourmet plant-based products for meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) events and food and beverage (F&B) outlets. 

This was followed by another MOU signed with Fraser & Neave Holdings Bhd (KL:F&N) to explore the use of 100% recyclable packaging natural mineral water by Tetra Pak to reduce the dependence on plastic and single use bottles at the resort. 

RWG also inked a third MOU with PNH Malaysia Sdn Bhd that focuses on upcycling food waste and transforming it from carbon powder into hotel amenities such as toothbrushes, hair combs and cutleries for use at the resort.

In the following days of the expo, RWG will undertake the signing of another two MOUs with Farm Fresh Bhd (KL:FFB) and poultry player Aqina Farm.

The MOU between RWG and Farm Fresh is expected to centre upon the undertaking of a joint marketing campaign to promote nutritional awareness and healthy living at the resort whilst RWG’s agreement with Aqina Farm will explore the purchase of pineapples cultivated by B40 (Bottom 40% income group) farmers.

The Genting SustainBiz F&B Expo comprises free workshops, networking opportunities with buyers and knowledge sharing of the latest trends in F&B sustainable practices at RWG. The opening ceremony was graced by the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan.

"Genting SustainBiz F&B Expo was conceptualised to showcase the transformative dynamism of Malaysia’s F&B and MICE sectors. Our focus on sustainable F&B is in line with our ever-growing commitment towards sustainable development up here on the hills," RWG executive vice president of sales, marketing & public relations Spencer Lee said in a statement. 

“We aspire to be on par with Singapore’s FHA-HoReCa with the aim of making Malaysia the regional MICE hub for sustainable F&B,” he added.   

The expo is expected to welcome 3,000 visitors with 50 multinational and local brand exhibitors over the course of three days, where it will showcase ideas and concepts for sustainable food production, packaging and food waste management; regenerative agricultural practices; food innovation research; eco-friendly commercial equipment and more by well-known brands such as Nestle, Cremer Sustainable Foods, Kimberly-Clark, Gelatomio, World New Energy, Temasek Polytechnic Singapore, Sunway University, Taylor’s University and Farm Fresh amongst others.

Admission to the expo is free of charge for all visitors upon registration. Genting SustainBiz F&B Expo is jointly organised with Comexposium Asia Pacific and supported by the Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) as strategic partner, VISA Malaysia as platinum sponsor; and the Kuala Lumpur Malay Chamber of Commerce, AirAsia Ride, Borneo Springs Natural Mineral Water, Hap Seng Star and Mercedes Benz as supporting partners.  

Shares of Genting Malaysia were up one sen or 0.41% to close at RM2.44 on Tuesday, with a market capitalisation of RM14.49 billion.