SIBU, Nov 7 (Bernama) -- Local industries in the state should make effortsto adopt cleaner production technology to minimize waste production,Assistant Minister of Public Health and Environment Dr Soon Choon Tecksaid Thursday.By so doing, they would help in preserving and keeping the environmentfree from pollution particularly in the long run, he said after opening aseminar to introduce the concept of "Clean Technology for CleanerProduction" jointly organised by the Department of Environment (DOE) andthe state's Natural Resource and Environment Board (NREB) here.

Eighty participants representing the oil palm, wood and manufacturingindustries attended the half-day seminar where four papers were presentedby speakers from the DOE, NREB, the 1st Silicon and the Sarawak PlantationAgriculture Development Sdn Bhd.

Dr Soon said that at present, the concept was popular among multinationalcompanies like hi-technology electronic companies such as the 1st Silicon,Taiyo Yuden and Komag in Kuching and Petronas and Shell in Bintulu andMiri.

"Company operators and owners will gain in the long run as has beenproven, as with such technology, their factories will generate less wasteby recycling them to keep production costs down to increase profits," hesaid.

But the best of all, he said, they would be able to minimize environmentalpollution.

-- BERNAMA