Bursa chairman Abdul Wahid Omar said the collaboration will amplify the exchange’s pursuit of driving innovation, ESG priorities and sustainable finance, for the betterment of Malaysia’s capital market and economy.
“With a commitment of £156 million (approximately RM1 billion), the MOBILIST programme aims to catalyse investments across sustainable infrastructure, climate finance, and inclusive finance on a global scale.
“Through scalable and replicable financial products, this programme is set to mobilise significant institutional capital flows into emerging and frontier markets,” he said in his opening remarks at the memorandum of understanding signing ceremony today.
The ceremony was graced by Tengku Mahkota of Pahang Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Syah.
Also present were natural resources and environmental sustainability minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad and British high commissioner to Malaysia Ailsa Terry.
Abdul Wahid said the MOBILIST programme, which is a flagship UK government initiative, is designed to be a transformative platform that enables local businesses to access pioneering investment solutions by advancing the SDGs.
“By facilitating access to necessary capital through this programme, we are setting the stage for these businesses to expand their operations and amplify their contributions to sustainable economic progress,” he added.
Apart from access to institutional capital, Abdul Wahid said the collaboration also presents a clear pathway for Malaysian companies under the MOBILIST programme to eventually list on Bursa.
“The collaboration will provide selected Malaysian companies with the technical assistance needed throughout the listing journey.
“We believe that solid issuers that will undertake fundraising exercises under the umbrella of the MOBILIST programme will naturally have enhanced visibility and be of interest to investors and stakeholders focused on sustainable and inclusive growth,” he said.
The UK’s MOBILIST programme supports developing countries in raising capital by listing on developed market stock exchanges where they can access developed market institutional investors or through dual listings, which can support the development of the local stock exchange.