Bursa Malaysia, in collaboration with Conservation International, today jointly organised a dialogue and engaged with captains of various industries with the aim of fostering sustainable business practices and improving corporate social responsibility (CSR) and environmental issues in Malaysia. Companies which participated in the dialogue span across many sectors including utilities, oil & gas, telecommunications, plantation and financial services.
Conservation International recently formed the Asia Pacific Business & Sustainability Council which provides opportunities for companies to contribute towards conservational efforts and make a positive difference to the environment. As an advocator of corporate social responsibility practices, Bursa Malaysia has become one of the founding members for the Asia-Pacific Business & Sustainability Council in line with its commitment to promote sustainable business development.
Companies are encouraged to join the Asia-Pacific Business & Sustainability Council as founding members in an effort to share and promote good environmental practices with focus on business sustainability. Members will have access to Conservation International’s expertise, tools and communications which will help them in developing innovative strategies to address the most pressing environment issues facing their businesses.
Dato’ Yusli Mohamed Yusoff, Chief Executive Officer of Bursa Malaysia said, “Sustainable business practice is the key to long term value. There is already a wide recognition of CSR amongst corporations to business sustainability in our country. Being a member of the Asia Pacific Business and Sustainability Council is a step for us to learn to contribute positively to our society and the environment. I hope more industry leaders will join us in this meaningful initiative.”
Benjamin Zoll, Director of Corporate Relations, Conservation International said, “We are delighted to have Bursa Malaysia join the Council as a founding member. Its membership is a strong signal that Bursa Malaysia and Malaysian businesses in general, are moving towards a sustainable and profitable future for the region.”
Dato’ Yusli added that the Exchange emphasises on the importance of corporate sustainability is in support of the national agenda of promoting green industries as announced at the National Budget 2010. As a founding member of the Asia-Pacific Business & Sustainability Council, Bursa Malaysia will actively continue its initiatives to look at the ISO 14001’s internal management criteria and carbon emissions reduction, among others.
The Asia-Pacific Business & Sustainability Council was founded in the US in 2002 and expanded to Asia-Pacific this year. The objective of the establishment is to provide a platform for Conservation International experts and leading companies in the region to share their conservation experience and insights with each other, in order to advance good practice of corporate responsibilities amongst them. Asia Pacific Business & Sustainability Council encourages participation from leading public listed companies to be founding members and to share their experience in CSR best practices with society.
