Standard Chartered Saadiq Malaysia has onboarded Serai Group as the first client under the pilot Greening Halal Businesses Programme, marking a key step toward advancing sustainable and halal-compliant business practices among Malaysian SMEs.
The programme supported by the Ministry of Finance (MOF), Bank Negara Malaysia, the World Bank, SME Bank, and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) aims to help local small and medium enterprises transition towards greener operations while strengthening their competitiveness in the global halal market.
As one of the participating banks, Standard Chartered Saadiq Malaysia will identify and enrol SMEs looking to obtain halal certification and implement sustainability practices across their businesses. Through the initiative, participating companies will receive specialised training on green transition and halal certification, technical assistance from SME Bank and IsDB, and access to green financing options.
A key feature of the programme is the use of Pantas’ Digital Sustainability Software, which enables SMEs to track, measure, manage, and report their carbon emissions. The Ministry of Finance will sponsor the first-year subscription fee for participating SMEs as part of its support for the initiative. Pantas will also share monthly emissions data with the World Bank to ensure transparent monitoring and progress reporting.
Samer Elesawi, Head of IsDB’s Centre of Excellence in Kuala Lumpur, highlighted that sustainability is embedded within the Halal and Tayyib principles. “By adopting eco-friendly practices like sustainable farming, water conservation, and renewable energy, halal businesses can build resilience and long-term value,” he said, adding that the Greening Halal Businesses initiative plays a vital role in empowering MSMEs to develop sustainable solutions.
Standard Chartered Saadiq Malaysia Chief Executive Officer, Bilal Parvaiz said the partnership underscores the bank’s commitment to supporting the country’s halal economy and its global positioning. “By partnering with Pantas to provide specialised training and access to advanced digital sustainability tools, we continue to champion the growth of local SMEs like Serai as they transition towards greener and more sustainable practices,” he said.
Serai Group CEO, Hafizan Urif said integrating ESG principles aligns with the company’s growth ambition and commitment to halal standards. “As an established homegrown food and beverage brand, maintaining high standards of quality and integrity is central to our business. Integrating ESG is the natural next step for us as we grow sustainably and responsibly,” he said.
The Greening Halal Businesses Programme supports Malaysia’s long-term ambition to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, while strengthening the country’s halal ecosystem through environmentally responsible business practices.