KUALA LUMPUR: Hong Leong Bank Bhd (HLB) has held its 11th Sustainability Roundtable to discuss challenges and opportunities in transitioning towards a low-carbon, resource-efficient economy together.
Emphasising the urgency of greening supply chains, group managing director and chief executive officer Kevin Lam said the bank is committed to being a catalyst for change given that the financial sector has a crucial role to play in driving the transition.
HLB , Lam added, is aware that sustainability is not just a buzzword, but a business reality and hence comitted in empowering the clients and partners to embrace sustainable practices and reap the rewards of a greener future.
"Beyond providing customised financial solutions and industry best practices to guide our clients toward sustainable transformation, we believe that in-person engagements and networking events like this offer valuable insights into sustainability opportunities.
"This fosters long-term competitive advantages and contributes to the betterment of society and the environment," he added.
The roundtable, themed "Greening the Supply Chain: The Malaysian Corporate Sector and the Global Sustainability Revolution: A Win-Win Convergence" addressed the critical issue of greening supply chains in the Malaysian corporate sector.
It was organised in partnership with Malaysia Steel Works (KL) Bhd (Masteel), PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), the Malaysian Investment Development Agency, Asian School of Business, Bursa Intelligence and Taylor's University.
The roundtable featured a panel of esteemed speakers to share their insights, including Masteel executive vice chairman Datuk Seri Tai Hean Leng, PwC sustainability and climate change director Richard Baker, and Taylor's University pro vice chancellor for external engagement Prof Dr Ong Kian Ming, among others.
HLB remains a constituent of the FTSE4Good Bursa Malaysia Index, with this year being its seventh consecutive year in the ESG index.
It has been given four-star rating in the index, having maintained a rating of 3.9 in FY23/24 which is above the banking sector average rating of 3.1, proving its continued success and achievements in sustainability integration.
HLB has organised 11 Sustainability Roundtables since 2021, bringing together business leaders, industry experts and environmental, social and governance (ESG) pioneers to share knowledge and insights on ESG integration.
HLB said collaborative discussions like this year's roundtable enable businesses can to mitigate risks and reduce costs, as well as enhancing competitiveness, tap into new markets, and build a stronger, more resilient economy.