UOB: Vietnamese businesses seek sustainable growth paths

According to the UOB Business Outlook Study 2024, which surveyed 525 business owners and key executives from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and large enterprises in Vietnam, 94 per cent recognize the importance of sustainability but only 45 per cent implemented sustainable practices in 2023.

Mr. Lim Dyi Chang, Head of Commercial Banking at UOB Vietnam, said the research helps the bank understand the challenges businesses face in adopting sustainability practices, enabling it to design bespoke solutions to support their sustainability journey.

Specifically, 57 per cent of respondents believe that sustainability practices can enhance their reputation, 54 per cent believe they help attract investors, and 45 per cent feel they make it easier to work with multinational corporations (MNCs).

To achieve sustainability, 47 per cent of respondents prioritize using energy-efficient equipment and technologies and 45 per cent focus on ensuring employee welfare. Other solutions include establishing clear corporate governance, implementing operational policies and processes, and using resources more efficiently to minimize waste.

However, less than half of those surveyed reported implementing sustainability initiatives in 2023. The main barriers to adopting sustainability practices include a lack of proper infrastructure for renewable energy (38 per cent), a lack of good options for sustainable financing (34 per cent), and concerns over the negative impact on profits (34 per cent).

Manufacturing & Engineering companies, in particular, expressed concerns about inadequate infrastructure for renewable energy.

After discussions with businesses, Mr. Lim noted that many companies have begun adopting sustainability in their operations, such as using environmentally-friendly materials, participating in afforestation, using solar energy, and developing organic agriculture. However, some face challenges due to the absence of environmental, social, governance (ESG) certification bodies in Vietnam.

As a result, businesses must hire foreign experts to assist with implementation and verification under ESG standards to achieve certification. Moreover, some of the necessary investment in ESG practices can be quite extensive and costly, and given the myriad standards and regulations, may be confused about where to start.

Operational costs are also a significant challenge. These factors create a vicious cycle, making it difficult for businesses to implement sustainable development initiatives.

Therefore, financial measures such as tax incentives and sustainable financing options would be highly effective in addressing some of these concerns.

At a forum with MNCs and major investment funds in Singapore in early 2023, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh suggested that investment funds play a pioneering role in connecting and introducing investment partners and sharing experience on green finance solutions to support Vietnam in improving the stability and complementarity of its financial system and realizing the goals set out in the National Green Growth Strategy to 2030.

Based on these insights, UOB has set up a sustainability advisory panel, setting targets and measurements, and developing a consulting strategy to support businesses toward net zero.

“If businesses can demonstrate sustainability practices such as reducing emissions, avoiding waste, and switching to renewable energy, they will be prioritized for green credit by the bank,” he said.

From a group perspective, UOB began its sustainability journey eight years ago. In recent years, it has focused on transferring knowledge and green credit processes from the UOB Group to UOB Vietnam, while also seeking strong domestic partners. At the end of 2023, UOB’s total sustainable financing portfolio had grown to S$44.5 billion ($33.8 billion), for 78 per cent growth year-on-year.

In Vietnam, the bank had provided credit to about 17 renewable energy and clean energy projects along with seven green industrial projects as of the fourth quarter of 2023. UOB Vietnam recently signed a green trade finance agreement with Betrimex to promote sustainable coconut production.

In the time to come, the bank will continue to provide green finance solutions for Vietnamese businesses, connecting them with suitable partners in the regional ecosystem and facilitating access to and learning from the success stories of other organizations in the industry.

“ASEAN connectivity and sustainable financing are the two key strengths of UOB,” Mr. Lim emphasized. “We will spare no effort to facilitate Vietnamese businesses interested in venturing overseas or adopting sustainable practices. We are fully aligned with the government’s direction of promoting Vietnamese exports, receiving FDI, and committing to net zero by 2050.”

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