KUALA LUMPUR: Hong Leong Islamic Bank Bhd (HLISB) has become a participating bank in Bank Negara’s Greening Halal Business (GHB) initiative, reinforcing its commitment to future-proof small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the halal sector.
The programme, supported by the Ministry of Finance (MOF), the Islamic Development Bank and the World Bank, aims to help SMEs transition towards greener practices while strengthening their competitiveness in the global market.
In a statement, HLISB said that as part of the initiative, it has signed a memorandum of understanding with Pantas, an AI-enabled carbon management and ESG reporting platform provider.
Through the collaboration, HLISB will provide its SME customers with specialised carbon accounting software and structured capacity-building programmes to enable businesses to track and report both direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions.
The initiative is designed to equip SMEs with granular emissions data to support effective decarbonisation strategies and sustainability reporting.
Eligible customers may also apply for a subsidy of up to RM5,000 for an exclusive subscription, funded under a RM15mil allocation by the MOF.
HLISB chief executive officer Dafinah Ahmed Hilmi said the initiative marks a key pillar of the bank’s strategy to strengthen and elevate Malaysia’s halal ecosystem.
“As an Islamic bank, sustainability is embedded in our DNA, as Shariah principles guide us to treat our environment and resources as an amanah (duty). By empowering Halal SMEs to integrate ESG practices into their core operations, we are not only enhancing their market value but also strengthening their intrinsic Shariah compliance.
“Our goal is to provide a roadmap for future-proofing where environmental stewardship and Shariah-compliant excellence go hand-in-hand. As global trade and foreign investment increasingly prioritise climate action, we are committed to ensuring our Halal businesses are resilient, marketable, and positioned at the forefront of the global green transition,” she said.
Meanwhile, Pantas chief executive officer and co-founder Max Lee said: “Our aim is to simplify the decarbonization process, making calculating carbon emissions as easy as checking your email. By turning what sounds like a corporate burden into a competitive advantage, we are helping SMEs set a new standard in corporate responsibility and environmental stewardship.”
Starting in 2026, the GHB initiative will expand to include dedicated green financing for ESG-aligned projects, helping SMEs turn sustainability plans into action.
Beyond GHB, HLISB offers financing and halal advisory services under its BizHalal programme, providing a holistic support ecosystem for SMEs navigating a sustainability-driven market.
