• Supports MITI’s New Industrial Master Plan 2030 and National Semiconductor Strategy
• Facilitates access to sustainable financing for companies, including SMEs
• Drives early adoption of ESG disclosures aligned to internationally recognised standards

Bursa Malaysia Berhad (“Bursa Malaysia” or the “Exchange”) today launched the Centralised Sustainability Intelligence (CSI) Solution, a comprehensive solution to support Malaysian companies in integrating ESG into their business strategies and operations, to boost their overall competitiveness. The CSI Solution was launched by YB Senator Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, Minister of Investment, Trade & Industry (MITI), witnessed by Dato’ Hairil Yahri Yaacob, Secretary-General, MITI; Encik Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim Sikh Abdul Majid, Chief Executive Officer of Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA); Tan Sri Abdul Wahid Omar, Chairman of Bursa Malaysia and Datuk Muhamad Umar Swift, Chief Executive Officer of Bursa Malaysia, in the presence of some 150 guests comprising key representatives from various ministries; government agencies; regulatory authorities including advisory committee of sustainability reporting, corporates; financial institutions and media.

CSI Solution streamlines ESG reporting for the real economy sectors 

The CSI Solution facilitates ESG disclosures by companies - by providing tools to assess carbon emissions across companies’ value chains and streamlining companies’ sustainability reporting.

Tan Sri Abdul Wahid Omar said, “The CSI Solution is one of Bursa Malaysia’s key initiatives in supporting Malaysia’s transition to a lower carbon economy. It was developed in response to needs raised by companies, for them to cost-effectively and seamlessly comply with various local and international ESG reporting frameworks. We envision a solution that corporates and their suppliers can utilise to easily address all their ESG reporting needs to customers, financiers, and regulators. It will support and encourage Malaysian companies to lower their climate impact and simultaneously be on a stronger footing to penetrate global markets, especially those with strong ESG requirements.” 

The CSI Solution is ready for use by all companies – listed and unlisted, and of various sizes – from conglomerates to small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Notably, the CSI Solution will serve as a critical implementation vehicle for MITI’s New Industrial Master Plan (NIMP) 2030 and i-ESG framework, as well as the recently announced National Semiconductor Strategy. It will serve to accelerate growth of Malaysian industries, such as the local manufacturing sector’s decarbonisation journey and pursuit of opportunities in the green economy, 

YB Senator Tengku Zafrul emphasised the Government’s commitment to bolster the readiness of companies, which are the engines of economic growth. “The launch of Bursa Malaysia’s CSI Solution is a significant step towards our goal of becoming a net-zero carbon emissions nation. This inclusive platform supports ESG data reporting and supply chain decarbonisation for all Malaysian corporates, enabling financial institutions to create tailored green financing products, especially for SMEs. Developing nations like Malaysia must not only align with global standards but also facilitate SME compliance through both technical and financial support. We aim for all sectors and businesses integral to the NIMP and NSS to use the CSI Solution and disclose their ESG metrics uniformly, enabling policymakers to effectively gauge and further support businesses’ sustainability journeys. By integrating ESG disclosures into the CSI Solution, companies can enhance their sustainability credentials, access better financing rates, and attract ethical investors, thus driving progress, growth, and shared success for Malaysia.”

Access to sustainable funding with preferential rates

The CSI Solution has been created as an essential ESG data infrastructure platform with supportive tools. Early adopters of the CSI Solution have been from across vital economic sectors such as construction, oil and gas, manufacturing, logistics, and automotive – demonstrating universal applicability across sectors.

Malaysian companies and their suppliers that decarbonise and reduce emissions will be offered preferential financing rates by the CSI Solution’s participating bank partners.  

“The premise here is that disclosures backed by demonstratable improved ESG practices and plans will yield better financing rates,” explained Datuk Muhamad Umar Swift. Collaboration and wide adoption among stakeholders are necessary to fully realise the potential value of a centralised solution providing widely accepted indicators and measures. As sustainable financing plays a crucial role in the economic transition agenda and in achieving the nation’s climate commitments, we are encouraged by the participation of ‘real economy’ sectors in the CSI ecosystem, and are committed to work with financial institutions to provide meaningful incentives to support businesses in transitioning towards more sustainable practices.”  

Kellee Kam, Group CEO of Alliance Bank Malaysia Berhad, announced the bank’s financing programme for SME suppliers participating in the CSI Solution, which includes an allocation of RM1 billion of green receivables financing, as well as lower financing rates by up to 300 basis points. “We hope to build momentum in assisting and enabling SMEs to decarbonise in an impactful manner. The trusted source of ESG data from the CSI Solution will ensure quality and actionable information is available to scale this initiative, allowing more SMEs to be eligible to participate in our financing programme.”

Datuk Muhamad Umar Swift added, “Through the CSI Solution, we seek to support  just transition, by providing Malaysian companies greater access to green financing for sustainable performance, which will also lead to improved valuation. Higher ESG performance among Malaysian companies and their supply chains will also in turn result in greater market vibrancy in our capital market.”

Drive early adoption of ESG disclosures aligned to internationally recognised standards

In a move to bolster Malaysia's corporate sustainability efforts, the CSI Solution offers a compelling value proposition - providing a head start for local companies in adopting global disclosure standards. The CSI platform facilitates the seamless flow of sustainability information across supply chains, aligning with a suite of prominent global frameworks, including the IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards, TCFD, GRI, and the Greenhouse Gas Protocol.

By leveraging the CSI solution, Malaysian companies can effortlessly share data on their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance, mapped against these multiple internationally recognised standards. This strategic alignment positions these businesses to attract the attention of discerning global investors and customers, who increasingly demand transparent and comprehensive sustainability reporting.

For more information or to register for the CSI Solution, companies can visit Bursa Malaysia CSI Solution or contact csi@bursamalaysia.com.