KUALA LUMPUR, 13 February 2026 – Bursa Malaysia Berhad and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have formalised a landmark strategic partnership to develop Malaysia’s first Inclusive Employment Playbook for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), marking a pivotal step toward advancing diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) across the country’s corporate and capital market ecosystem.
The collaboration underscores Bursa Malaysia’s expanding role beyond capital facilitation into broader nation-building initiatives, aligning market development with social sustainability and inclusive economic participation.
A Strategic Partnership Anchored on Inclusive Growth
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) establishes cooperation between Bursa Malaysia and UNDP across three key pillars: promoting inclusive employment, empowering investors and strengthening market ecosystems, and expanding financial literacy for underserved communities.
Central to the partnership is the development of the Malaysia Inclusive Employment (MINE) Playbook, a comprehensive framework designed to guide corporations, particularly Public Listed Companies (PLCs), in creating inclusive workplaces for Persons with Disabilities.
The Playbook will provide practical strategies, actionable recommendations, and evidence-based frameworks to help organisations systematically embed inclusive employment practices into their human capital and sustainability strategies. The initiative is expected to serve as a foundational reference for Malaysian corporates seeking to align workforce inclusion with environmental, social and governance (ESG) and sustainability objectives.
Bursa Malaysia’s Vision: Connecting Capital with Opportunity
Bursa Malaysia Chief Executive Officer Dato’ Fad’l Mohamed emphasised the Exchange’s commitment to strengthening capital markets as a platform not only for financial growth but also for social impact.
“As Bursa Malaysia marks its 50th year, we are focused on strengthening what capital markets can deliver for Malaysia, stronger growth through wider participation,” he said. “This partnership with UNDP reflects our commitment to build a capital market that does more than connect capital to companies; it also connects opportunity to people.”
Dato’ Fad’l described the MINE Playbook as a milestone initiative capable of transforming corporate employment practices nationwide.
“The development of the MINE Playbook is a landmark step in building markets that drive social impact and expand economic participation. It will provide organisations with a practical, adoptable framework to embed inclusive employment in a structured and sustainable way,” he added.
He further stressed that success would require collaboration across stakeholders, including PLCs, government ministries, civil society organisations, and advocacy groups, to redesign workforce structures and unlock untapped talent potential.
UNDP: Inclusive Employment as an Economic Growth Driver
UNDP Resident Representative to Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam, Edward Vrkić, highlighted the economic imperative behind workforce inclusion.
“Evidence consistently shows that when persons with disabilities are excluded from economic participation, the consequences extend beyond individuals and families. It contributes to higher poverty rates, greater vulnerability, and significant lost economic potential,” he said.
Vrkić noted that inclusive workplaces do more than advance social equity, they strengthen corporate productivity, resilience, and long-term growth potential.
“By fostering more inclusive workplaces, Malaysian businesses are not only advancing equity—they are strengthening productivity, resilience and long-term growth,” he added.
UNDP also pledged to leverage its global expertise and partnerships to ensure the successful implementation of the Playbook and translate policy commitments into measurable economic and social outcomes.
CEO Roundtable Highlights Corporate Commitment
Following the MoU signing, Bursa Malaysia and UNDP convened a CEO Roundtable involving more than 30 senior leaders from PLCs, government agencies, civil society organisations, and PWD advocacy groups.
The session focused on sharing best practices in PWD recruitment, retention, and career development, while incorporating real-world insights from individuals with lived experiences. These discussions will directly inform the development of the MINE Playbook, ensuring its recommendations are practical, actionable, and aligned with corporate realities.
The initiative reflects growing recognition among Malaysian corporates that inclusive employment is not merely a social responsibility, but a strategic advantage capable of enhancing organisational performance and innovation.
Capital Markets Driving ESG and Inclusive Economic Transformation
The partnership aligns with Bursa Malaysia’s broader ESG agenda and reinforces the Exchange’s leadership in promoting sustainable capital markets.
For investors, the development signals a deeper integration of ESG principles into Malaysia’s capital market framework. Inclusive employment practices are increasingly viewed as critical components of corporate sustainability, governance quality, and long-term value creation.
As global investors place greater emphasis on ESG metrics, Malaysian PLCs adopting inclusive employment frameworks may enhance their attractiveness to institutional investors seeking sustainable and socially responsible investment opportunities.
A Milestone for Malaysia’s Inclusive Economic Future
The development of Malaysia’s first Inclusive Employment Playbook marks a significant milestone in strengthening workforce participation among Persons with Disabilities while enhancing corporate sustainability and capital market inclusiveness.
By aligning capital markets with social progress, Bursa Malaysia and UNDP are helping to unlock untapped human potential, creating a more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable economic future.
The initiative represents a powerful example of how capital markets can serve not only as engines of financial growth but also as catalysts for meaningful societal transformation.
