Kuala Lumpur, 26 September 2018 - Alliance Bank Berhad (“Alliance Bank” or “Bank”) recently launched the third installment of its Eco-Biz Dream Project (“Project”) in collaboration with Malaysian Green Technology Corporation (GreenTech Malaysia) which is under the purview of the Ministry of Energy, Science, Technology, Environment & Climate Change (MESTECC), and non-profit environmental organisation EcoKnights.

The five-month programme for tertiary students is part of the Bank’s overall corporate social responsibility initiative. It provides a platform to nurture budding social entrepreneurs who will one day develop solutions to improve the lives of the Malaysian community.

Now in its third year, this edition of Eco-Biz Dream Project competition will see tertiary students from 20 universities around Malaysia competing to propose a sound and sustainable business solution to address an environmental, economic or social issue. The theme revolves around the revitalisation and protection of a stretch of the Kerayong River corridor in Kuala Lumpur.

Students will receive intensive guidance and mentoring from the Eco-Biz Dream Project trainers and coaches in the areas of Business Model Canvas, design thinking, and innovation of social entrepreneurship throughout the Project. Training will be provided by the Asia School of Business in collaboration with MIT Sloan Management.

“Alliance Bank has been operating in Malaysia for over five decades. We continue to work with local communities to identify areas where the Bank can bring together industry experts to provide guidance to the next generation of entrepreneurs. This year, we are taking it one step further. The Bank, via Alliance Islamic Bank, will commit to help bring to life the winning proposition,” said Mr. Joel Kornreich, Group Chief Executive Officer of Alliance Bank.

The materialization of the winning idea will be part of Alliance Islamic Bank’s value-based intermediation initiative.

Through a collaboration with experts and active advocates on the topic of environment and sustainability, Eco-Biz Dream Project 3 will deliver an integrated and holistic education to the students.

“EcoKnights is very excited to be Alliance Bank’s strategic partner again for the Eco-Biz Dream Project, and to help materialise the winning idea for 2018. The competition has evolved tremendously over the years. I hope competitions like this will help our next generation think big and sustainable when crafting business solutions for the city,” said Puan Yasmin Rasyid, Advisor and Chief Judge of Eco-Biz Dream Project. Puan Yasmin is also the founder and President of EcoKnights.

“Building green mindsets from young is key to the success of our nation. These students are our future sustainable leaders and workforce, be it as entrepreneurs or within the small to medium enterprises (SMEs) space. As such, we see the Eco-Biz Dream Project growing as a platform and pipeline for green ideas and talent over the longer-term. Such growth will have, whether directly or indirectly, a positive sustainable impact on the immediate communities,” added Madam Elina Jani, Chief Strategic Communications of GreenTech Malaysia.

“Efforts like these are the core of the Bank’s vision to build alliances to improve lives,” concluded Mr. Kornreich.

In addition to the Eco-Biz Dream Project, the Bank’s other corporate responsibility initiatives include the AEIOU financial literacy challenge for school students, as well as the BizSmart Challenge for SMEs, the first reality TV business programme by a financial institution in Malaysia.

Team Genesys from Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (“UTHM”) - Wan Muhammad Idham Wan Mahdi, Nurliyana Abdul Rahim and Mohd Syahir Anwar Hamzah, was the Grand Prize Winner of the Alliance Bank EcoBiz Challenge 4.

Team Genesys from Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (“UTHM”) - Wan Muhammad Idham Wan Mahdi, Nurliyana Abdul Rahim and Mohd Syahir Anwar Hamzah, was the Grand Prize Winner of the Alliance Bank EcoBiz Challenge 4.

Team Genesys from Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (“UTHM”) - Wan Muhammad Idham Wan Mahdi, Nurliyana Abdul Rahim and Mohd Syahir Anwar Hamzah, was the Grand Prize Winner of the Alliance Bank EcoBiz Challenge 4.

About Alliance Bank Malaysia Berhad

Alliance Bank Malaysia Berhad and its subsidiaries, Alliance Investment Bank Berhad and Alliance Islamic Bank Berhad, is a dynamic, integrated financial services group offering banking and financial solutions through its consumer banking, SME banking, corporate and commercial banking, Islamic banking, investment banking and stockbroking businesses. The Bank provides easy access to its broad base of customers throughout the country via multi-pronged delivery channels which include retail branches, Privilege Banking Centres, Business Centres, and Investment Bank branches, as well as mobile and Internet banking.

About GreenTech Malaysia

Malaysian Green Technology Corporation (GreenTech Malaysia) is a government agency under the purview of Ministry of Energy, Science, Technology, Environment & Climate Change (MESTECC) charged as a leading organisation in spearheading green technology for green growth & sustainability in Malaysia in line with the Green Technology Master Plan (GTMP 2017-2030).

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