Kuala Lumpur, 25 February 2026 – Hong Leong Islamic Bank Berhad (HLISB) has joined Bank Negara Malaysia’s (BNM) Greening Halal Business (GHB) initiative, reinforcing its commitment to future-proofing Malaysia’s Halal small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through sustainability-driven transformation.
The GHB programme, supported by the Ministry of Finance (MOF), the Islamic Development Bank and the World Bank, is designed to help Halal SMEs transition towards environmentally sustainable practices while enhancing their global competitiveness.Strategic Partnership with Pantas for Carbon Management
As part of its participation, HLISB signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Pantas, an AI-enabled carbon management and ESG reporting platform. Through this collaboration, HLISB will equip SME customers with specialised carbon accounting tools and structured capacity-building programmes.
The initiative enables businesses to track and report both direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions with greater accuracy, providing the granular data necessary for effective decarbonisation strategies. Eligible SMEs may apply for a subsidy of up to RM5,000 for an exclusive subscription, funded under a RM15 million allocation by MOF.
Dafinah Ahmed Hilmi, CEO of HLISB, said sustainability remains intrinsic to the bank’s Shariah-based framework.
“As an Islamic bank, sustainability is embedded in our DNA. 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 enhance both their market value and intrinsic Shariah compliance.”
She added that global trade and foreign investment increasingly prioritise climate alignment, making ESG integration essential for Halal exporters.
ESG as Competitive Advantage
Max Lee, CEO and Co-Founder of Pantas, described the partnership as a step towards simplifying carbon accounting for SMEs.
“Our aim is to make 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 benchmark in environmental stewardship.”
The GHB initiative addresses growing concerns that Malaysian businesses risk losing up to RM292 billion in export revenues if they fail to meet evolving global ESG standards. For Halal SMEs, sustainability alignment is becoming as critical as certification itself.
Aligning with Net-Zero Ambitions
Chow Sheng Wai, Chief Sustainability Officer of Hong Leong Bank Berhad, highlighted that the programme supports the Group’s broader decarbonisation ambitions.
“Malaysia’s Halal market is recognised globally as the gold standard. We now have the opportunity to set the same benchmark for sustainability and climate action. This programme aligns with our goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.”
Beginning in 2026, the GHB initiative is expected to expand into dedicated green financing solutions to support ESG-aligned projects, translating sustainability roadmaps into funded outcomes.
Strengthening the Halal Ecosystem
Beyond the GHB programme, HLISB continues to offer comprehensive financing packages and advisory support through its BizHalal programme, aimed at lowering entry barriers for Halal entrepreneurs.
By integrating Shariah compliance with environmental stewardship, HLISB is positioning Malaysia’s Halal SMEs not only to maintain market access but to emerge as resilient leaders in a sustainability-driven global economy.
The initiative underscores how Islamic finance institutions are increasingly bridging faith-based principles with modern ESG frameworks, reinforcing Malaysia’s ambition to lead both the Halal economy and the green transition.
