KUALA LUMPUR, 1 Feb (Bernama) -- AmBank Group held its inaugural ESG day on 12 January 2022 to engage with customers and investors on its ESG journey. As part of its commitment, the Group organised the virtual ESG Day to create a platform to bring together perspectives and insights to help elevate the key themes in the transition to a more sustainable financial future. The Group is committed to its goal in integrating sustainability into its business operations.
Themed ‘Forward Thinkers: Journeys That Converge’, the ESG day is part of the Group’s action plan in communicating its sustainability road map to its stakeholders and reaffirm commitments. AmBank Group ESG day had two components; the morning session was for customers and the afternoon was for investors.
The ESG Day was officiated by Tan Sri Azman Hashim, Chairman, AmBank Group, who reflected on how the landscape in the financial sector has evolved. Tan Sri Azman also stated that the commitment to sustainable growth that combines both financial and ESG consideration is at the heart of AmBank Group’s strategy, as the Group builds long-term value for the Bank and its stakeholders.
The session was participated by Ms. Jessica Chew Cheng Lian, Deputy Governor, Bank Negara Malaysia, Dato’ Sulaiman Mohd Tahir, Group Chief Executive Officer, AmBank Group, Datin Zameema Ariff, Head of Sustainability, AmBank Group, Dr Dimitrios Papanastasiou, Director, Moody’s Analytics EMEA, Ms Charlotte Wolf-Bye, Chief Sustainability Officer, Petronas, and Mr. John Leong, Regional Director, CDP. The session was moderated by Mr. Benjamin McCarron from Asia Research and Engagement Pte. Ltd (ARE).
“At AmBank Group, our strategy and long-term vision are underpinned by our commitment to contribute to the greater good of our people and planet through responsible banking and business practices. This commitment is reflected in our Group Sustainability Agenda, where we actively consider ESG risks and impacts to create shared prosperity for the current and future generations without compromising our financial objectives,” said Dato’ Sulaiman Mohd Tahir, Group Chief Executive Officer, AmBank Group.
During the morning sharing session with AmBank’s customers, the session addressed the basics, discussed challenges and opportunities and showcased some of the customers who are embracing sustainability in their own ways.
The morning session started off with Encik Nik Shahrizal Sulaiman who is a Partner and the Islamic finance leader of PwC Malaysia, who presented on the foundation and Net Zero pathways for Malaysia. Ms. Kausalya Gopal, Director of Economics & Policy of SME Corporation Malaysia explored the opportunities and challenges for SMEs. Dato’ Seri Dr. Michael Tio, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of PKT Logistics Group Sdn Bhd shared his pathway to sustainability and how he is building an organisation of the future. The session ended with Mr Vincent Tang of JB Cocoa Sdn Bhd, who gave a passionate account of their sustainability journey.
At its virtual ESG day, the Group also made a special announcement of a collaboration between AmBank Group and Yayasan Hijau Malaysia (YHM). YHM is an agency under the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources (KeTSA) that is carrying out the 100 million Tree-Planting Campaign 2021-2025 as part of the Greening Malaysia Programme.
It is an initiative by the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources (KeTSA) with cooperation from the Forestry Department of Peninsular Malaysia (JPSM), state forest departments, Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM) and state governments. It aims to increase the awareness on the importance of forest area and to ensure the commitment to maintain forest area in Malaysia¹.
AmBank Group has pledged to plant 780 Camphor trees as part of this collaboration. The symbolic of the tree planting session was held on 8 January 2022 at Taman Eko-Rimba Bukit Sg Puteh in Cheras, which was participated by the Senior Management of AmBank Group and YHM.
Source:
¹ Yayasan Hijau Malaysia website - http://yahijau.com/
