DBS Hong Kong Survey Reveals SMEs' Readiness for Sustainability |
DBS Hong Kong Survey Reveals SMEs' Readiness for Sustainability |
Hong Kong, 17 Apr 2024 - DBS Bank (Hong Kong) Limited ("DBS Hong Kong") SME Banking today announced the DBS BusinessClass SME Sustainability Report and reveals a majority of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) embrace sustainability, but financial constraint remains as the leading challenge. Close to 70% of SMEs surveyed asserted interest in sustainability, indicating a trend for integrating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategies or sustainability measures into their business operations.
The report was released in conjunction with the DBS BusinessClass: SME Sustainability Bootcamp, which aims to empower local SMEs to kick off their sustainable journey. The event was honoured by Christopher Hui, Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury, HKSAR Government. In his keynote speech, he said, "Green development is a fundamental element for high-quality development, and sustainable development is an irrevocable mega-trend. We should seize every investment opportunity in green finance by leveraging Hong Kong's strong foundation and unique strengths, and to promote Hong Kong as the world-leading green finance center."
Consumer demands drive SMEs towards sustainable practices
The same report surveyed over 100 Hong Kong consumers, where the respondents express a strong inclination towards sustainable merchants as a vast majority (91%) have a positive impression of businesses embracing sustainability. Nearly 80% are willing to pay more for sustainable products, while 68% actively seek them out when choosing catering outlets or retailers. This signals a significant market demand for SMEs to transition towards more sustainable business models.
Among the surveyed SME respondents, more than a quarter (28%) of them has already started taking actions in sustainability. There are internal and external motivations for SMEs to adopt sustainable models: internally, social and ethical responsibility is the primary driver (60%) to transit in sustainable practices; while externally, to improve brand image (51%), fulfilling compliance with government regulations (47%) and demand from customers and other stakeholders (31%).
Wallace Lam, Managing Director and Head of Institutional Banking Group, DBS Bank Hong Kong, said, "As one of the first banks that signed up to United Nations' Net-Zero Banking Alliance, DBS has always put sustainability at the core, underpinned by our extensive expertise in green financing. We recognise that striving for carbon neutrality is not only a corporate responsibility, but also a catalyst for unlocking new business opportunities. As consumer preferences steer Hong Kong towards a sustainable future, making sustainability a pivotal element in the growth of businesses of all sizes, we extend our support to SMEs and empower their low carbon transformation."
Cost and expertise: top concerns for Hong Kong SMEs in pursuit of sustainability
SMEs show higher level of awareness towards regulatory-driven initiatives, as they prioritised their sustainability goals to focus on waste management (71%), followed by energy efficiency (54%), engaging in social impact initiatives such as community engagement, diversity and inclusion (33%), and adopting renewable energy (26%).
In particular, over half of the respondents are familiar (7%) and somewhat familiar (50%) with the Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) charging, and 34% stated that they are prepared in this regard. When it comes to the primary challenges anticipated by SMEs, cost and expertise are their top concerns, regardless of overall sustainability efforts or MSW preparation. Notably, 73% identified funding constraints as their top challenge in advancing sustainability, while 76% anticipated increased operational costs with MSW charging. Additionally, concerns regarding manpower and resources were prevalent, with 37% citing lack of manpower and resources for sustainable practices and 50% expressing similar concerns for MSW charging implementation.
Jolynn Wong, Managing Director and Head of SME Banking, DBS Bank Hong Kong, stated, "At DBS, we recognise the critical ambitions of SMEs and are committed to supporting their success through sustainability. We provide support to Hong Kong SMEs to transit to paperless operations, from banking privileges upon online business account opening, to merchant services offers through collaborations with like-minded partners. Additionally, our preferential loan financing empowers SMEs to cut their energy related carbon footprint by up to 30% through different low-carbon initiatives. DBS is set to empower SMEs to do well while doing good. Through these initiatives, we also hope to preserve 1,000 trees in Hong Kong."
DBS Hong Kong's support for SMEs' low-carbon transformation extends from account opening to financing
In partnership with KPay, a merchant payment services provider in Hong Kong, DBS Hong Kong has introduced its first offer with an aim at bolstering the low-carbon transformation efforts of SMEs.
Separately, DBS has also extended preferential loan pricing to participating SMEs putting low-carbon missions in action.
All in all, SME can enjoy low-carbon SME package that is worth up to HK$28,888, comprising of banking privileges upon successful business account opening online and preferential loan pricing from DBS Hong Kong, and merchant services offers from KPay, upon the completion of designated paperless tasks.
The DBS BusinessClass SME Sustainability Report 2024, interviewed 224 local SME representatives and 108 individuals under DBS Hong Kong BusinessClass in 28 February 2024 to 20 March 2024, shedding light on the sustainability landscape, understanding the pain points faced by SMEs and assessing their readiness towards MSW charging.
DBS BusinessClass, in collaboration with supporting organisations including CLP Power Hong Kong Limited, KPay, Hong Kong Retail Technology Industry Association, The Professional Validation Centre of Hong Kong Business Sector, Hong Kong Smart Catering Association, Institute of Dining Professionals, SME Sustainability Society and The ESG Consortium, hosted the "DBS BusinessClass: SME Sustainability Bootcamp" on 17 April 2024, aiming to provide inspirations on low-carbon transformation, extensive showcases, and practical resources to empower local SMEs to be prepared for the upcoming regulations and to kick off their sustainable journey.
About DBS
DBS is a leading financial services group in Asia with a presence in 19 markets. Headquartered and listed in Singapore, DBS is in the three key Asian axes of growth: Greater China, Southeast Asia and South Asia. The bank's "AA-" and "Aa1" credit ratings are among the highest in the world.
Recognised for its global leadership, DBS has been named "World's Best Bank" by Global Finance, "World's Best Bank" by Euromoney and "Global Bank of the Year" by The Banker. The bank is at the forefront of leveraging digital technology to shape the future of banking, having been named "World's Best Digital Bank" by Euromoney and the world's "Most Innovative in Digital Banking" by The Banker. In addition, DBS has been accorded the "Safest Bank in Asia" award by Global Finance for 15 consecutive years from 2009 to 2023.
DBS provides a full range of services in consumer, SME and corporate banking. As a bank born and bred in Asia, DBS understands the intricacies of doing business in the region's most dynamic markets. DBS is committed to building lasting relationships with customers, as it banks the Asian way. Through the DBS Foundation, the bank creates impact beyond banking by supporting social enterprises: businesses with a double bottom-line of profit and social and/or environmental impact. DBS Foundation also gives back to society in various ways, including equipping communities with future-ready skills and building food resilience.
With its extensive network of operations in Asia and emphasis on engaging and empowering its staff, DBS presents exciting career opportunities. For more information, please visit www.dbs.com.
香港,2024年4月17日-星展銀行(香港)有限公司(“星展香港”)中小企業銀行今天發佈了星展銀行企業級中小企業可持續發展報告,並透露大多數中小型企業(SME)都擁護可持續發展,但財務限制仍然是主要挑戰。近70%的受訪中小企業表示對可持續發展感興趣,這表明將環境、社會和治理(ESG)戰略或可持續發展措施納入其業務運營的趨勢。
該報告與星展銀行BusinessClass:中小企業可持續發展訓練營同時發佈,旨在幫助當地中小企業開啓可持續發展之旅。香港特區政府財經事務及庫務局局長許嘉賓爲是次活動致敬。他在主題演講中說:“綠色發展是高質量發展的基本要素,可持續發展是不可逆轉的大趨勢。我們應該利用香港的堅實基礎和獨特優勢,抓住綠色金融領域的所有投資機會,推動香港成爲世界領先的綠色金融中心。”
消費者需求推動中小企業走向可持續實踐
同一份報告調查了100多名香港消費者,受訪者表示強烈傾向於可持續發展的商家,因爲絕大多數(91%)對企業擁抱可持續發展的印象良好。將近80%的人願意爲可持續產品支付更多費用,而68%的人在選擇餐飲場所或零售商時積極尋找可持續產品。這表明市場對中小企業向更可持續的商業模式過渡的需求很大。
在受訪的中小企業受訪者中,超過四分之一(28%)的受訪者已經開始在可持續發展方面採取行動。中小企業採用可持續模式有內部和外部動機:在內部,社會和道德責任是轉向可持續實踐的主要驅動力(60%);而在外部,改善品牌形象(51%),遵守政府法規(47%)以及客戶和其他利益相關者的需求(31%)。
星展銀行香港董事總經理兼機構銀行集團負責人林華萊表示:“作爲首批加入聯合國淨零銀行聯盟的銀行之一,星展銀行一直將可持續發展置於核心,並以我們在綠色融資方面的廣泛專業知識爲支撐。我們認識到,努力實現碳中和不僅是企業的責任,也是開啓新商機的催化劑。隨着消費者的偏好引導香港走向可持續的未來,使可持續發展成爲各種規模企業增長的關鍵要素,我們擴大了對中小企業的支持,並推動他們的低碳轉型。”
成本和專業知識:追求可持續發展的香港中小企業最關心的問題
中小企業對監管驅動的舉措表現出更高的認識,因爲它們將可持續發展目標的重點放在廢物管理上(71%),其次是能源效率(54%),參與社區參與、多元化和包容性等社會影響力舉措(33%),以及採用可再生能源(26%)。
特別是,超過一半的受訪者對都市固體廢物(MSW)收費感到熟悉(7%)和有些熟悉(50%),有34%的受訪者表示他們在這方面已經做好了準備。當涉及到中小企業預期的主要挑戰時,無論整體可持續發展努力還是城市固體廢物的準備工作如何,成本和專業知識都是他們最關心的問題。值得注意的是,73%的人認爲資金限制是他們推進可持續發展的最大挑戰,而76%的人預計都市固體廢物收費會增加運營成本。此外,對人力和資源的擔憂普遍存在,37%的人表示缺乏可持續實踐的人力和資源,50%的人對都市固體廢物收費的實施表示了類似的擔憂。
香港星展銀行董事總經理兼中小企業銀行業務主管Jolynn Wong表示:“在星展銀行,我們認可中小企業的關鍵抱負,並致力於通過可持續發展支持它們取得成功。我們爲香港中小企業轉向無紙化運營提供支持,從在線商業賬戶開立的銀行特權,到通過與志同道合的合作伙伴合作提供的商戶服務。此外,我們的優惠貸款融資使中小企業能夠通過不同的低碳計劃將其與能源相關的碳足跡減少多達30%。星展銀行將幫助中小企業在做好事的同時表現良好。通過這些舉措,我們還希望在香港保護1,000棵樹木。”
香港星展銀行對中小企業低碳轉型的支持從開戶延伸到融資
星展銀行與香港商戶支付服務提供商KPay合作,推出了首個優惠,旨在加強中小企業的低碳轉型努力。
另外,星展銀行還向參與實施低碳任務的中小企業擴大了優惠貸款定價。
總而言之,中小企業在完成指定的無紙化任務後,可享受價值高達28,888港元的低碳中小企業套餐,包括成功在線開立商業賬戶後的銀行特權和香港星展銀行提供的優惠貸款價格,以及KPay提供的商戶服務優惠。
《2024年星展銀行商務艙中小企業可持續發展報告》於2024年2月28日至2024年3月20日訪問了224名本地中小企業代表和星展銀行香港商務艙旗下的108名個人,闡明瞭可持續發展格局,了解了中小企業面臨的痛點,並評估了他們對城市固體廢物收費的準備情況。
星展銀行商務艙與中電電力有限公司、KPay、香港零售科技行業協會、香港商業界專業驗證中心、香港智能餐飲協會、餐飲專業人員協會、中小企業可持續發展協會和ESG聯盟等支持機構合作,於2024年4月17日舉辦了 “星展銀行商務艙:中小企業可持續發展訓練營”,旨在爲低碳轉型提供靈感、大量展示和實用資源,以增強能力當地中小企業有待準備以支持即將出臺的法規,並開啓其可持續發展之旅。
關於星展銀行
星展銀行是亞洲領先的金融服務集團,業務遍及19個市場。星展銀行總部位於新加坡上市,位於亞洲的三個主要增長軸心:大中華區、東南亞和南亞。該銀行的 “AA-” 和 “Aa1” 信用評級是世界上最高的。
星展銀行因其全球領導地位而獲得認可,被命名爲”世界最佳銀行“由《環球金融》撰寫,”世界最佳銀行“由 Euromoney 和”年度全球銀行“作者:《銀行家》。該銀行處於利用數字技術塑造銀行業未來的最前沿,被命名爲”世界最佳數字銀行“由 Euromoney and the World's數字銀行領域最具創新性“作者:《銀行家》。此外,星展銀行還被授予”亞洲最安全的銀行“從2009年到2023年,連續15年榮獲《環球金融》雜誌頒發的獎項。
星展銀行在消費者、中小企業和企業銀行業務方面提供全方位的服務。作爲一家在亞洲出生和成長的銀行,星展銀行了解在該地區最具活力的市場中開展業務的複雜性。星展銀行致力於與客戶建立持久的關係,因爲它以亞洲的方式進行銀行業務。通過星展銀行基金會,該銀行通過支持社會企業來創造銀行以外的影響力:具有雙重利潤和社會和/或環境影響的企業。星展銀行基金會還以各種方式回饋社會,包括爲社區提供面向未來的技能和增強糧食抵禦能力。
星展銀行憑藉其在亞洲的廣泛業務網絡以及注重員工的參與和賦權,提供了令人興奮的職業機會。欲了解更多信息,請訪問 www.db.com。
譯文內容由第三人軟體翻譯。
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