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We are pleased with the intent of Budget 2014 to create a more vibrant marketplace. Economic strength, the acceleration of our nation’s transformation and the delivery on promises made will ensure the continued competiveness of our capital market.
Budget 2014 is focused and pragmatic and provides the necessary ingredients to accelerate the growth of our already strong marketplace. From expanding High Speed Broadband, to the growth of the SME market and most importantly ensuring fiscal sustainability are the ingredients for growth.
In particular, as markets across ASEAN become more and more integrated, we are confident that a Bursa Malaysia focused Environmental, Social and Governance Index (ESG) will provide our marketplace a distinct advantage to attract Socially Responsible Investments (SRI) from around the world that is estimated at about USD 34 trillion1.
The readiness of our public listed companies to compete for SRI funds comes from the six years of effective Shariah-compliant screening and profiling through our FTSE Bursa Malaysia Shariah Index Series and our Corporate Social Responsibility annual reporting requirements that were also implemented in 2007.
We are encouraged by the Prime Minister’s call to enhance our global competiveness as a marketplace for SRI and Bursa Malaysia will do its part to move the Prime Minister’s direction forward.
We are particularly pleased to see the focus being placed on the development of entrepreneurs in Malaysia as they are the growth engine of our economy. As one of the primary fund raising sources for entrepreneurship growth, we have a track record for transforming entrepreneurs into global multinationals.
