UOB Malaysia has announced a strategic collaboration with Bursa Malaysia Berhad to support Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in adopting sustainable practices and accelerating their decarbonisation journey. The partnership forms a key component of UOB’s newly expanded Sustainability Accelerator Programme 2.0 (SAP 2.0).
First launched in October 2023, SAP was designed to equip SMEs with the foundational tools and financing to begin their ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) journey. The initial phase included UOB’s proprietary Sustainability Compass — developed in partnership with PwC — and a suite of customised green financing solutions under the “U-Series” umbrella (U-Energy, U-Solar, and U-Drive).
Building on this momentum, SAP 2.0 deepens UOB’s commitment by offering SMEs access to Bursa Malaysia’s Centralised Sustainability Intelligence (CSI) Solution. This platform simplifies emissions calculation and reporting, a critical step as businesses prepare for the upcoming Scope 3 emissions disclosure requirements under Malaysia’s National Sustainability Reporting Framework, which will roll out in phases starting 2027.
At the launch event held at UOB Plaza 1 in Kuala Lumpur, UOB Malaysia CEO Ng Wei Wei highlighted the significance of the partnership:
“We are honoured to be the first bank to partner with Bursa Malaysia. Under SAP 2.0, we are funding the CSI Solution’s subscription fees for our SME clients to help them navigate the often-daunting process of GHG emissions reporting. This initiative lowers barriers to entry, empowering more SMEs to transition to sustainable practices.”
Echoing the sentiment, Dato’ Fad’l Mohamed, CEO of Bursa Malaysia, said the collaboration marks a major step in broadening access to the CSI platform:
“Previously focused on public-listed companies, our CSI Solution will now support SMEs, helping them align with sustainability disclosure standards and meet growing demands from MNCs and PLCs for accurate Scope 3 supply chain emissions data.”
The CSI platform is the Exchange’s designated sustainability reporting channel and supports the ISSB IFRS S1 and S2 disclosure standards under the national framework. Through the platform, SMEs can better manage emissions reporting, enhance their ESG credentials, and remain competitive in global supply chains.
Beyond its partnership with Bursa Malaysia, UOB is also collaborating with Control Union and DHL Express Malaysia to provide solutions in emissions data assurance, green certification, energy efficiency, and sustainable logistics.
The SAP 2.0 initiative reinforces UOB Malaysia’s leadership in promoting sustainable finance and supporting the national agenda of building an inclusive, low-carbon economy.