KUALA LUMPUR (May 24): Besides digitalisation, another key component that will guide Ekuiti Nasional Bhd’s (Ekuinas) investment strategy is the establishment and implementation of its environmental, social and governance (ESG) framework, said chief executive officer (CEO) Syed Yasir Arafat.
The ESG framework builds on Ekuinas’ strong foundation in social impact and governance to embed a culture of sustainability across the firm, its portfolio companies and the overall investment evaluation process, noted Syed Yasir Arafat.
“It will outline a clear road map for the implementation of ESG initiatives across four key sustainability themes anchored on seven of the Sustainable Development Goals announced by the United Nations,” he said at the press briefing after the announcement of Ekuinas' 2021 results here.
The four key themes of sustainability are empowering bumiputera entrepreneurs, local communities and underprivileged populations; catalysing innovation for the future of work; nurturing talent qualified for constant changes in market trends; and promoting sustainable development.
These also include leveraging the position as an investor to catalyse change and drive a more sustainable future through portfolio companies; and building a transparent, responsible and accountable reputation through good governance including managing key risks related to the long-term competitive advantage of portfolio companies.
“Ekuinas expects 2022 to be the year we truly emerge from the [Covid-19] pandemic. We anticipate that economic activity will improve for many of our portfolio companies as the economy bounces back gradually and the country opens its borders.
“In 2021, digitalisation was an impactful theme for us with almost all our portfolio companies undergoing digitalisation enhancement as a critical core of business operations and [this] will [also] continue to be a guiding force as we move forward,” he added.
As of the financial year ended Dec 31, 2021, Ekuinas' cumulative investments amounted to RM4.4 billion.