CelcomDigi onboards first 100 SMEs, partners to vendor empowerment initiative
The first phase of the programme began with a focus on building ESG fundamentals using the Simplified ESG Disclosure Guide (SEDG) for SMEs in supply chains, in collaboration with Capital Markets Malaysia (CMM).
The guide provides participating SMEs with practical tools to integrate responsible practices, as well as to measure and disclose their environmental, social and governance (ESG) impact in line with Bursa Malaysia's expectations for ESG-compliant corporate ecosystems.
Delivering the closing address on behalf of CelcomDigi chief executive officer Datuk Idham Nawawi, chief corporate affairs officer Joachim Rajaram said the initiative marks a significant milestone in the company's mission to support local businesses.
"SMEs form over 97 per cent of Malaysia's business landscape and are projected to deliver 45 per cent of the country's GDP this year, making them a driving force of our economy."
"Supporting their growth is a strategic priority for us as part of our ESG commitment to build a sustainable value chain," said Rajaram.
"With Malaysian companies making up over 72 per cent of our value chain, we see a clear opportunity to empower Malaysia's business landscape by starting within our own ecosystem," he added.
He noted that VEEP is CelcomDigi's long-term commitment to uplift SMEs through structured support and strategic collaboration.
"Today's partnership with CMM lays the groundwork for responsible business practices."
"We aim to build a comprehensive programme that supports the growth and sustainability of SMEs, not just through ESG adoption but also via cross-sector collaboration to expand access to business opportunities, funding channels and technological advancements," he said.
Rajaram also highlighted the broader goals of the programme which is to help SMEs professionalise their operations, strengthen responsible business practices and ultimately, position themselves to compete in both domestic and global markets.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
5 minutes ago
- New Straits Times
Palm follows Dalian palm olein, Chicago soyoil lower
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian palm oil futures fell for a third consecutive session on Tuesday, weighed down by weaker Dalian palm olein and Chicago soyoil, although gains in crude oil prices limited the decline. The benchmark palm oil contract for October delivery on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange slid RM19, or 0.45 per cent, to RM4,223 (US$997.87) a metric ton in early trade. Dalian's most-active soyoil contract rose 0.05 per cent, while its palm oil contract shed 0.56 per cent. Soyoil prices on the Chicago Board of Trade were down 0.54 per cent. Palm oil tracks price movements of rival edible oils, as it competes for a share of the global vegetable oils market. Oil extended gains, lifted by hopes of improved economic activity after the US-EU trade deal, a potential US-China tariff truce and President Donald Trump's shorter deadline for Russia to end the Ukraine war. Stronger crude oil futures make palm a more attractive option for biodiesel feedstock. The ringgit, palm's currency of trade, weakened 0.09 per cent against the dollar, making the commodity slightly cheaper for buyers holding foreign currencies. Palm oil may fall to RM4,161 per ton, as it has pierced below support at RM4,211, Reuters technical analyst Wang Tao said. Asia shares eased while the euro nursed its losses as investors pondered the downside of the US-EU trade deal and the reality that punishing tariffs were here to stay, with unwelcome implications for growth and inflation.
The Sun
5 minutes ago
- The Sun
Malaysia consumer spending outlook positive for 2025-2026, says BMI
KUALA LUMPUR: BMI, a Fitch solutions company, has maintained its broadly positive outlook for consumer spending in Malaysia over 2025, with the country's healthy macroeconomic outlook driving real-term growth in household incomes. With inflation averaging lower than expected in May, BMI lowered its forecast for headline inflation to average at 1.9 per cent year-on-year (y-o-y) in 2025, down from 2.1 per cent previously, and only slightly up from an average 1.8 per cent in 2024. It added that this remained low enough to support household purchasing power. 'Overall, we forecast household spending to grow by 3.8 per cent y-o-y over 2025 in real terms to RM930.7 billion, up from MYR896.9 billion in 2024. 'As a result, household spending has returned close to pre-COVID levels of growth, where it grew at a real average rate of 5.2 per cent y-o-y during the 2015-2019 period. 'However, spending will continue to be restrained by Malaysian consumers' high levels of indebtedness and the correspondingly high debt servicing costs,' it said in its 'Malaysia Consumer Outlook: Strong Growth Forecast Over 2025 and 2026' commentary today. Looking ahead to 2026, BMI expect consumer spending to accelerate, underpinned by strong gross domestic product (GDP) growth and a stable employment outlook. Consumer confidence and willingness to spend would be further supported by a stable inflationary environment and Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) back in loosening mode, cutting its benchmark interest rate by a further 25 basis points from a forecast 2.75 per cent in December 2025 to 2.50 per cent by end-2026. 'Therefore, we forecast total household spending growth to be at 5.0 per cent y-o-y in real terms for 2025, taking spending to RM977.3 billion,' it said. BMI added that solid household incomes and tourism-related retail sales would further support a steady uptick in spending over the 2025-2029 forecast period. - Bernama
The Sun
35 minutes ago
- The Sun
Malaysia praised for brokering Thai-Cambodia ceasefire by MCBA
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysia-Cambodia Business Association (MCBA) has commended Malaysia's leadership role in brokering an immediate ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia, following a special meeting held in Putrajaya yesterday. MCBA founding president Datuk Seri Ricky Yaw praised Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for his proactive diplomacy, noting that MCBA, as a platform dedicated to regional economic cooperation, welcomes Malaysia's leadership in his capacity as ASEAN Chair. He said Anwar's efforts had brought the leaders of both countries to Kuala Lumpur for urgent dialogue in response to escalating tensions along the Thai-Cambodian border. 'This ceasefire is a critical step toward restoring peace and regional stability. We extend our highest respect to Malaysia for the leadership demonstrated in facilitating this breakthrough. 'At the same time, we also pay high tribute to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thailand's Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai for their political foresight and courage in making responsible decisions that balance national interest with regional peace,' he said in a statement. He added that MCBA, as a regional business association promoting peace, trade, and investment, firmly believes that economic growth must be grounded in mutual respect, regional cooperation, and long-term stability. 'We urge all ASEAN member states to continue supporting diplomatic efforts and trust-building mechanisms to prevent further escalation and strengthen mutual understanding. Peace is always the foundation of prosperity,' he added. Yaw added that MCBA remains committed to working closely with stakeholders in Cambodia, Thailand, and across the ASEAN region to promote peaceful coexistence and economic resilience. Yesterday, Hun Manet and Wechayachai agreed to an 'immediate and unconditional ceasefire' over the ongoing border dispute, following a special meeting brokered by Anwar at the official residence of the Malaysian Prime Minister, the Seri Perdana Complex in Putrajaya. The two Southeast Asian neighbours have a long history of diplomatic tensions over an 817-kilometre undemarcated stretch of their shared border. Tensions have been simmering since May 28, following a skirmish between troops near the disputed Preah Vihear area, which claimed the life of a Cambodian soldier. - Bernama
