July 2021 – The bespoke financing upholds Malaysian cocoa organization Guan Chong Berhad’s responsibility for a more capable inventory network
HSBC Amanah Malaysia (HSBC Amanah) has effectively completed a bespoke Green trade financing facility to Guan Chong Cocoa Manufacturer Sdn Bhd, a whole-owned subsidiary of Guan Chong Berhad (GCB). The arrangement is the first green trade financing facility for sustainable cocoa sourcing in Malaysia.
The green financing supports GCB’s sustainable desire to accomplish 100% Traceable and Sustainable cocoa by 2030 from its immediate cocoa bean sourcing network.
GCB, the world’s fourth biggest cocoa processor, has a long-term vision of building a sustainable business that expects positive impact towards the cocoa production network through their sustainable program, Good Cocoa and Beyond, and its four pillars. This incorporates further developing farmer earnings, securing the climate, profiting the farmers and their communities, and providing exceptional cocoa. The Green Trade Finance provided by HSBC Amanah serves as a foundation in supporting this vision.
Stuart Milne, Chief Executive Officer, HSBC Malaysia said: “We are honoured to partner and support GCB in their commitment for a more responsible supply chain. The deal enables GCB to procure certified cocoa beans which supports agroforestry systems and ensures no cocoa-related deforestation. This milestone transaction marks the first green trade financing for sustainable cocoa sourcing in Malaysia as well as for HSBC Group.”
Elsa Tay, GCB spokesperson said: “It is our vision to move towards sustainable practices that benefit both our customers and our business; and we are pleased to have HSBC Malaysia as one of our financing partners in this endeavour. In fact, HSBC’s support will help in GCB’s transition to achieve our ambitious yet necessary target of 100% Traceable and Sustainable cocoa by 2030 from direct supply chain.”
HSBC Amanah’s Green Trade Finance structure creatively mixed different post-shipment solutions for sustainable sourcing that can be clearly assessed, quantified, measured and reported.
Through trade documents, the procurement of certified cocoa beans by GCB – using sustainable sources – was attested to be in compliance with the environmental, social and/or economic aspects by recognised certification bodies.
With the above accreditation set up, the arrangement was in consistence with Green Loan Principles (GLP)2, a system which advances the turn of events and respectability of green finance products. GLP’s pillars includes the use of proceeds, assessment of hidden activities, management of proceeds, and reporting.
Andrew Sill, Country Head of Commercial Banking, HSBC Malaysia said: “We continuously engage with our corporate customers to see how we can support their business aspirations better. By understanding the specific goals and needs of GCB, HSBC was able to offer a bespoke green trade financing to exclusively fund GCB’s environmentally-sustainable trade activities that adhere to the GLP.”
GCB’s sustainability ambitions aim to address the social, economic and environmental challenges in their supply chain especially in origin countries not only through certification and direct sourcing, but also by working with industry organisations. GCB joined the Cocoa & Forest Initiative (CFI) in early 2020 with the aim to support their commitment to end deforestation and restore forest areas by excluding any further conversion of forest land for cocoa production. This commitment to the CFI indicates GCB’s strong intention to shape a more responsible supply chain, paving the way that led to this partnership with HSBC.
The three pillars in CFI are 1) Forest Protection and Restoration – pledging no further conversion of forest land for cocoa production; 2) Sustainable Production and Farmers’ Livelihood – improving the productivity of farms to “grow more cocoa on less land” via Good Agricultural Practices and farm level crop diversification; and 3) Community Engagement and Social Inclusion – involvement of all farmer communities by developing gender and youth focused programmes and support the development of operational guidelines on resettlement and restoring living standards.
For more than 130 years, HSBC has played an important role in Malaysia’s growth and development; opening a world of opportunity for our customers, communities, and the wider society in the country. Throughout the years, HSBC continues to support Malaysian companies such as GCB by connecting them to business opportunities and enabling them to thrive in the domestic market as well as regional and international markets.
In Malaysia, HSBC is concentrating efforts to deliver HSBC Group’s first sustainable banking entity with our Islamic banking subsidiary HSBC Amanah. This new plan by HSBC will accelerate our efforts with the HSBC Amanah transformation and more broadly support Malaysia’s own climate ambitions.
Source – HSBC Malaysia
