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New Report Highlights Need for Ecosystem Approach to Help MSMEs in Southeast Asia Adopt More Sustainable Practices

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1 year ago

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  • Report by the Centre for Impact Investing and Practices (CIIP) finds growing momentum among micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Southeast Asia to adopt sustainability practices, driven by commercially motivated goals such as reducing costs, improving long-term efficiency, meeting consumer demand, entering new markets and attracting talent.
  • As significant variations in ESG awareness and adoption exist across the region, advancing the adoption of ESG practices will require coordinated efforts from governments, industry associations, MNCs, investors, and financial institutions to provide MSMEs practical, constructive assistance.
  • The report identifies key challenges and five ecosystem actions to unlock the full potential of MSMEs in advancing sustainable supply chains.

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 7 May 2025 – The “Transforming for Sustainability: Driving Impact and Value through Supply Chain Action” report, by the Centre for Impact Investing and Practices (CIIP) found that MSMEs in Southeast Asia recognise the business value of adopting sustainability practices – from lowering costs and improving long-term efficiency (39%) to attracting or retaining talent in a values-driven workforce (27%) – and want to do more.

At the same time, many global multinational corporations (MNCs) are making long-term sustainability commitments, setting higher expectations across their supply chains. As MSMEs often serve as key suppliers, aligning with these evolving standards – including MNC supplier codes – is becoming increasingly critical to remain competitive and secure long-term growth opportunities.

Launched today at Ecosperity Week’s Impact Investing Roundtable 2025, the report explores key barriers to increasing supply chain sustainability and identifies practical enablers and tools across four sectors: consumer goods, food and beverage, electrical and electronics, and tourism. The findings are based on a survey of over 3,500 MSMEs from Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam, alongside interviews with 85 organisations across Asia — including MNCs, solution providers, and ecosystem enablers. The report builds on CIIP’s 2024 study, developed in partnership with PwC Singapore, titled “It Takes a Community”: Enabling SME Resilience in FMCG Supply Chains.

While sustainability and ESG are separate concepts, they are closely linked – especially when looking at how ESG practices support sustainability goals. To better understand how MSMEs are putting sustainability into action, 21 practices were identified and mapped across the areas of “environmental”, “social”, and “governance”.

Encouragingly, 84% of MSMEs have adopted at least one ESG practice, with social practices being the most common due to mandated social employee protection policies in each of the countries studied. Waste management was the most common environmental practice, reflecting this key concern across the region. However, much more needs to be done.

“MSMEs are the backbone of Southeast Asia’s economies and essential partners in advancing sustainable supply chains,” said Ms. Dawn Chan, Chief Executive Officer, CIIP. “Their growing interest in ESG signals a real opportunity to unlock business resilience and long-term value. This report aims to provide a clearer view of what MSMEs need to succeed, and how ecosystem players, from industry leaders to governments and financial institutions, can work together to accelerate scalable, sustainable impact.”

MSMEs Are Making Progress, But Practical Challenges Continue to Hold Them Back

While MSMEs are making progress in meeting new sustainability requirements, many continue to face practical challenges in advancing their efforts. With lean, multi-functional teams focused on daily operations, they often lack the capacity for dedicated roles to oversee the adoption of more ESG practices – and 60% report moderate to significant difficulties in hiring staff for sustainability or ESG roles.

Financial constraints remain a key hurdle. Many cite high upfront costs, though encouragingly, half of all MSMEs surveyed plan to increase their ESG budgets by 2027.

Many also cite the inability to derive immediate benefits from adopting ESG practices, with 32% saying the ability to gain new clients or enter new markets would be a key motivating factor for future adoption of ESG practices.

To overcome these challenges, the report provides five recommendations to shape ecosystem actions.

Five Key Enablers to Raise ESG Awareness and Adoption among MSMEs

  1. Make ESG clear and simple. Clearly emphasise the commercial benefits of ESG practices – from cost savings to increased revenue opportunities – while highlighting clear improvement pathways. Companies should be assured that adopting ESG practices is not a formidable task and can be done in gradual steps.
  2. Build capacity, both internal and external. Develop industry-specific toolkits or education materials with global standards and local inputs, which are simple and actionable, while encouraging MSMEs to leverage external expertise for ad-hoc support and personalised guidance.
  3. Encourage more win-win customer-supplier partnerships. MNC buyers are a strong predictor of ESG adoption, and some are already leaning in to support their supply chains. This should be more widespread – MNCs can offer incentives such as longer-term contracts, paying more for sustainable products or services, and implementing shorter payment cycles.
  4. Invest in innovative MSME-targeted solutions. Venture capital firms and impact investors play a crucial role in facilitating ESG adoption across supply chains, providing catalytic funding to incentivise innovation and reducing the barriers to adopting ESG practices. They can play a particularly important role by backing early-stage solutions and business models that are priced and designed for MSMEs.
  5. Finance the change. While sustainability-linked loans are increasingly available, MSME uptake remains low – suggesting that concessional rates alone are not enough. A more holistic approach is needed, combining fit-for-purpose financing with practical guidance, stronger support for early adopters, and tools like digital platforms to assess ESG baselines and customise loan terms. These elements must work together to drive meaningful, scalable ESG adoption.

For more insights and takeaways, the full report is available at:
https://ciip.com.sg/knowledge-hub/research-insights/Details/transforming-for-sustainability–driving-impact-and-value-through-supply-chain-action

Turning Insights into Tangible Solutions

The report also revealed that country-specific conditions significantly influence ESG adoption, underscoring the importance of tailored approaches that address local needs. Notably, industry associations serve as a key source of sustainability and ESG guidance for MSMEs, given their deep understanding of sector-specific needs and ability to recommend fit-for-purpose tools and approaches.

In line with this, CIIP today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Singapore Fashion Council (SFC) to drive supply chain sustainability within the fashion and textiles industry. Under the agreement, SFC will lead the development of a sectoral plan, a resource guidebook, and a digital toolkit tailored to the sustainability needs of fashion and textiles MSMEs, leveraging insights from this report and CIIP’s ongoing ecosystem engagement efforts.

In parallel, CIIP and the Philanthropy Asia Alliance have launched the second edition of the Amplifier mentorship programme, with two dedicated tracks aimed at scaling innovative solutions for supply chain sustainability in tourism, as well as, fashion and textiles. Adopting a whole-of-ecosystem approach, the programme is supported by over 55 cross-sector partners this year.

CIIP welcomes more partners – including industry associations, corporates, technology and solution providers, investors, and financial institutions – to work together and collectively advance ESG adoption among MSMEs in the region.

For the full announcements, please refer to: https://www.temasektrust.org.sg/newsroom

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About the Centre for Impact Investing and Practices

The Centre for Impact Investing and Practices (“CIIP”) was established in 2022 as a non-profit entity by Temasek Trust to foster impact investing and practices in Asia and beyond by building and sharing knowledge, bringing together stakeholders in the community, and bringing about positive action that accelerates the adoption of impact investing principles and practices. CIIP is the anchor partner for the United Nation Development Programme’s Private Finance for the SDGs, providing Asia investors and businesses with clarity, insights and tools that support their contributions towards achieving the SDGs. Temasek and ABC Impact are CIIP’s strategic partners. For more information, please visit .

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Hong Kong Company Formations Surge 40.5% in 2025, Outpacing Regional Competitors

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13 hours ago

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15/05/2026

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Air Corporate data reveals 9 in 10 founders incorporated in Hong Kong do so remotely, driven by a 20% surge in Middle Eastern entrepreneurs seeking cost-effective operational alternatives to Dubai.

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 15 May 2026 – Air Corporate registered a 40.5% increase in Hong Kong incorporations in 2025, with the first quarter of 2026 already up 48% year-over-year. This data indicates that Hong Kong is reasserting itself as the leading Asian jurisdiction for company formation, fueled by a new wave of remote founders from the Middle East, North Africa, and Europe.

The prevailing narrative over the past five years suggested that Singapore was eclipsing Hong Kong; however, recent incorporation volumes challenge this. According to city-wide official figures cited by Vivian, Founder of Air Corporate, approximately 195,000 companies were registered in Hong Kong in 2025, compared to around 77,000 in Singapore.

“There was a lot of fuss about Singapore taking over Hong Kong as preferred jurisdiction over the last few years, but for 2025 alone, around 195,000 companies were formed in HK, vs around 77,000 for Singapore,” said Vivian. While city-wide registrations rose roughly 35% in 2025, incorporations at Air Corporate specifically grew by 40.5%. Vivian added, “With a 35% increase in the number of companies registered in 2025, Hong Kong is definitely back in the game as the top jurisdiction to start a company.”

The reality of Hong Kong company formation is increasingly global, lean, and founder-led. Nine in ten founders incorporated in Hong Kong with Air Corporate do not live there.

Key demographic and operational insights from Air Corporate’s client base include:

  • Approximately 90% of founders operate remotely from abroad, while 10% or less are based in Hong Kong.
  • Entrepreneurs aged 35 to 44 represent the largest age cohort at 38%, demonstrating that Hong Kong attracts founders in their prime career years rather than just younger digital nomads.
  • Serial entrepreneurs make up 60% of Air Corporate’s client mix, utilizing Hong Kong as an operational base for multiple companies, while first-time founders account for the remaining 40%.
  • A total of 89% of new companies are launched by solo founders (58%) or small teams of two to five individuals (31%).
  • Mainland China, Hong Kong, Turkey, India, the UAE, Australia, France, and Morocco rank among the top source markets for these founders.

Furthermore, 73% of new Hong Kong incorporations are directly tied to physical goods trade with China. This consists of e-commerce and dropshipping businesses (38%) and the trading of goods (35%). The recovery of in-person trade flows, including events, such as the Canton Fair and various industrial fairs, is pulling foreign founders back into the Greater China orbit and establishing Hong Kong as the natural entry point and financial layer over the world’s largest manufacturing base.

Air Corporate’s data recorded a 20% year-over-year growth in founders originating from the Middle East. This shift highlights a reverse migration where founders previously incorporated in Dubai are now choosing Hong Kong. Based on Vivian’s observations, founders often arrive in Dubai expecting fast incorporation and low costs, but discover that incorporation and maintenance are significantly more expensive than in Hong Kong, and banking remains difficult. Consequently, many founders move to Hong Kong after 12 to 24 months in the UAE, a trend accelerated by the Hong Kong government’s strategic outreach to the region.

For lean, remote-first businesses, speed-to-market is a critical factor. A founder located anywhere in the world can incorporate in Hong Kong and open a working bank account in approximately 7 days using digital banking partners. Currently, 90% of Air Corporate’s clients utilize these digital banking partners.

“Hong Kong and Singapore are the only places in Asia where you can set up your company, get a corporate account, and be in business in less than a week,” concluded Vivian.

Air Corporate is a service provider facilitating company formation and incorporation in Hong Kong for serial entrepreneurs, first-time founders, and remote-first business owners operating globally.

Media Inquiries
To learn more about Hong Kong company formation, visit Air Corporate’s website or contact their team directly.

Hashtag: #AirCorporate

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

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Natural Diamonds Sparkle on The Red Carpet at The 2026 Met Gala Celebrating “Costume Art”

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13 hours ago

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15/05/2026

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Today’s biggest stars express individuality and confidence with natural diamonds

NEW YORK, US – Media OutReach Newswire – 15 May 2026 – The 2026 Met Gala celebrating “Costume Art” took place May 4th at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, bringing together leading figures from across the globe for an unforgettable evening. These tastemakers showcased the most classic, refined and distinctive diamond jewelry looks of the season. Below, A Diamond is Forever highlights the standout trends from the event.

Desert diamonds

Desert diamonds emerged as a striking throughline on the Met Gala carpet, with a range of hues in distinctive settings taking focus.

Rihanna led the trend in a pair of exceptionally rare old Moghul Golconda fancy brown-yellow diamond earrings by Glenn Spiro, featuring two pear-shaped natural diamonds totaling 51.9 carats. Doja Cat offset her all nude look with a pair of large Leviev Diamonds floral-shaped earrings while Paloma Elsesser made a statement in a 29.5-carat diamond necklace by Bernard James, centered around a 15-carat fancy light yellow pear-shaped natural diamond. Cara Delevingne wore a De Beers London Forces of Nature High Jewelry ring, featuring marquise yellow diamonds set as eyes, while Emma Chamberlain opted for yellow and white diamond earrings by Chopard, underscoring the continued allure of warm diamond hues.

Magnificent Diamond Earrings

A wide variety of captivating silhouettes defined the natural diamond earrings on the Met Gala carpet. Zoë Kravitz delivered a modern twist with oversized diamond flower earrings by Jessica McCormack. Chase Sui Wonders opted for Jean Schlumberger by Tiffany & Co. Sea Fan earrings, bringing an element of sculptural artistry to the look. Gracie Abrams selected gently dangling Chanel earrings, adding understated fluidity, while Connor Storrie selected simple hoop earrings from Tiffany & Co., reinforcing the clean and enduring appeal of natural diamonds.

Standout Diamond Moments

Natural diamonds appeared in personal, unconventional and eye-catching ways, offering moments of surprise and awe. Power couple Beyoncé and Jay-Z embodied this trend with Beyoncé wearing Chopard’s Queen of Kalahari necklace, named after the rare 342-carat diamond that provided 23 stones for Chopard’s Garden of Kalahari collection. Jay-Z contributed to the narrative with a vintage diamond brooch by Briony Raymond worn at the collar as an unexpected placement that underscored the piece’s versatility. Isha Ambani made the styling of diamonds an art form in itself, wearing her own diamond jewelry featuring approximately 150 carats of old mine-cut diamonds, including a three-strand necklace and chandelier earrings, while also incorporating diamonds sewn directly into the bodice of her sari to represent significant moments in her life.

Together, these looks highlighted a shift toward natural diamonds as vessels of personal expression, styled with intention, individuality, and a sense of the unexpected.

Hashtag: #MetGala #RedCarpet #ADiamondisForever #NaturalDiamonds #Diamonds





The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

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Turn Your Savings into a Front-Row Experience: HL Bank Singapore Offers Exclusive Passes to AsiaTop Music Festival 2026

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1 day ago

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14/05/2026

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The premier music festival will play host to 16 K-pop, regional and Malaysian stars including, in performance order: Day 1 – NexT1DE, Aina Abdul, Belle Sisoski, Win Metawin, NMIXX, WINNER, DAESUNG, KUN. Day 2 – Uriah See, Firdhaus, Butterbear, 82MAJOR, STAYC, CRAVITY, TWS, CxM

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 14 May 2026 – Your next major K-pop experience is just a savings goal away as HL Bank Singapore (“HLB Singapore”) bridges the gap between financial wellness and the front row. In an exclusive collaboration designed for the ultimate music enthusiast, the bank is offering fans the chance to secure a pair of sought-after AsiaTop Music Festival 2026 tickets, valued at up to RM1,098 (approx. S$355), simply by growing their wealth.

HL Bank Singapore is giving music fans the chance to redeem exclusive passes to the AsiaTop Music Festival 2026, featuring top Asian acts, through its iSavings Reward Campaign.

This unique initiative stems from the regional synergy between Hong Leong Bank (“HLB”) and Tencent Music Entertainment Group (JOOX and QQ Music). By aligning with Visit Malaysia Year and Visit Selangor Year 2026, HLB is transforming the traditional banking experience into a gateway for premium entertainment. Scheduled for 30 and 31 May 2026 at the iconic Sepang International Circuit, the festival promises a high-octane weekend featuring an elite lineup of Asian superstars, including the largest K-pop showcase in the ASEAN region.

Securing a spot at the heart of the action has been streamlined through the iSavings Reward Campaign, running from 9 May 2026 to 18 May 2026. To participate, fans first decide on their preferred festival experience, selecting either a pair of Standard Passes with a S$5,000 deposit or the high-energy, nearer-to-the-stars Rockzone Passes with a S$8,282 deposit for their chosen day.

Once a tier is selected, customers can register by depositing the qualifying funds into an iSavings account via FAST or Links transfer. To validate their entry, customers must include the specific Comment Code, such as PALLIR1 for Day 1 Rockzone, within the funds transfer description. The qualifying balance must be maintained within the account for a six-month (182 days) earmarked period.

With only 88 pairs of tickets available for this exclusive campaign, the stakes are high. Allocation is limited to 22 pairs per day for each ticket category and will be awarded strictly on a first-come, first-served basis. Fans are encouraged to act quickly to ensure their savings work as hard as they do while securing a premier seat at the musical event of the year.

For full terms & conditions, and further details, please visit: www.hlbank.com.sg/AsiaTop2026

Hashtag: #HLBankSingapore

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

HL Bank Singapore

HL Bank Singapore is the Singapore branch of Hong Leong Bank Berhad, a leading digital-centric Malaysia-based financial services institution with a rooted heritage in the country spanning over 120 years. Operating under a Full Bank Licence in Singapore, HL Bank offers a comprehensive range of financial services to our business, retail and high networth customers through our 4 core business segments – Business & Corporate Banking, Personal Financial Services, Private Wealth Management and Global Markets.

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