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CSR Index For Malaysia Launched
CSR Index For Malaysia Launched
Published 12-05-06
Submitted by Owens, Williams & Wood (OWW) Consulting
The CSR agenda in Malaysia has taken off recently as a result of a number of initiatives within the private and public sector. The new index adds to these developments by providing the most comprehensive assessment to date of the social and environmental performance of companies in Malaysia.
The OWW Responsibility Malaysia SRI Index is the first in the OWW Responsibility SRI Index Series which will initially cover Malaysia and Singapore and in future other South-East Asian economies.
The index opens up the Malaysian market to Socially Responsible Investors for the first time, by providing an assessment of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) performance of Malaysian companies.
Summaries of the background research and CSR assessment for a range of companies are also available for the first time. These reports provide details of the CSR performance of companies based on a consistent set of rigorous international criteria customized to the Malaysian context.
Arshad Adam, co-founder and Finance Director at OWW Consulting, said, "Malaysia and Singapore offer exceptional investment opportunities. Currently both markets are in a confirmed "early bull" trend. Experienced analysts are predicting upside potential of above 30% in the coming two years in both markets. This will bring historical highs in each market in line with recent performance in Europe and the US. Already the social stocks in our index give 16% year-to-date returns at lower risk than the market."
"These opportunities have so far been out of the reach of Socially Responsible Investors because credible, consistent and comprehensive assessments of the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) performance of Malaysian companies have not been available. Our new system fills this gap," he added.
The OWW Responsibility assessment process aims to help the SRI community to access up-to-date and reliable information on the social performance of companies in Malaysia and Singapore to provide opportunities for diversification of fund portfolios outside of Europe and the US.
The first index covers large cap public listed companies and will be followed by companion indices in the same series for small cap companies and for Government Linked Companies (GLCs).
Similar series covering companies in Singapore are also in the pipeline.
Further details and free downloads can be obtained from Thursday 30th November 2006 at: www.oww-consulting.com and enquiries@oww-consulting.com.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION FOR REPORTERS
About Owens, Williams & Wood Consulting (OWW) Sdn Bhd
Owens, Williams & Wood (OWW) is a technology-based business solutions company located in Malaysia and Singapore. OWW offers a range of unique web-based technologies to enable clients to improve their management and communication of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability.
In addition to the Responsibility SRI Index Series, our portfolio includes the following services:
OWW Consulting is the first company in Malaysia and Singapore to sign-up to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment (UNPRI)
Arshad Adam - Finance Director (BBA, MSc, FCCA)
Arshad Adam is a founding member of OWW Consulting and was appointed Finance Director in 2006.
Arshad is formerly Assistant Professor of Accounting and Deputy Director of the MA/MSc programmes at Nottingham University Business School, Malaysia Campus. He is a Chartered Accountant and a Gold Medal Graduate in Business Administration from the International Islamic University Malaysia. He holds an MSc (with Distinction) in International Business Management from the University of Nottingham. He has extensive international experience in training of finance professionals in accounting qualifications for ACCA and CIMA throughout South East Asia.
Arshad has extensive commercial experience and has direct personal experience of overseas investment projects including outsourcing and cost consultancy services to international clients mainly from East Africa and French speaking countries. Outsourcing projects have been conducted in South East Africa, China, South Asia, the Middle East, Europe, Turkey and Zimbabwe.
His professional work as an accountant has involved audit and "off-audit" experience in operations management and cost management and reduction in Mauritius, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore.
Owens, Williams & Wood (OWW) Consulting
Owens, Williams & Wood (OWW) Consulting
Owens, Williams & Wood (OWW) is a technology-based Business Solutions Company located in Malaysia and Singapore, specialising in CSR and SRI analysis. We offer a range of web-based technologies to enable clients to improve their management and communication of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability. We have recently launched the Responsibility™ SRI Index Series which aims to identify companies in Malaysia and Singapore with good CSR/ESG reporting with a view to tracking their performance and recommending their stocks for funds and private investors. The Responsibility™ SRI Index Series is complimented by our in-depth analysis of the CSR performance of companies in SE Asia and background research into the CSR and SRI environment in the region drawing on our specialist knowledge of South East Asian markets. In addition to the Responsibility™ SRI Index Series, our portfolio includes the following services:
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