27 March 2023
Bangkok (27 March 2023) – Krungsri (Bank of Ayudhya Public Company Limited) in collaboration with Mitsubishi UFJ Research and Consulting Company Limited and MU Research and Consulting (Thailand) Company Limited organized an online seminar on the topic of “The Latest Trends of ESG & Digital Trade Toward the Sustainable Growth of ASEAN - Japan” to commemorate the 50th anniversary of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation on 17 March 2023. Distinguished experts from leading organizations were invited to share their views on the trends of ESG and digital trade cooperation across the region. The online event was attended by over 200 participants from various organizations in Thailand, Japan ,Singapore and Vietnam.
Mr. Yoshiyuki Horio, Head of JPC/MNC Banking, Bank of Ayudhya Public Company Limited opened the event by revealing that the seminar was held with the aim of reflecting views on the ASEAN and Japan’s Economic Co-Creation Vision of AEM-METI Economic and Industrial Cooperation Committee (AMEICC) that will lead to solutions to environmental issues and a sustainable economic society. He also emphasized the commitment and role of Krungsri in fostering sustainable business through the offering of financial products and services in order to support the smooth transition of business along the ESG journey.
The seminar gained excellent cooperation from experts in various fields to share their valuable knowledge. Starting with Mr. Kazuki Ikegami, Managing Director at MU Research and Consulting (Thailand) Company Limited, he gave an overall picture of decarbonization goals in ASEAN countries along with guidance to align business plan with countries’ goals and regulations. Subsequently, Mr. Taiji Ono, Director, Business Development Division, Zeroboard Inc., a strategic partner of Krungsri and MUFG, elaborated on visualization and carbon footprint management as well as sharing the success stories of Zeroboard in helping companies in Japan manage their GHG emission. On the part of Krungsri and MUFG, Mr. Colin Chen Managing Director, Head of ESG Finance from MUFG Bank and Ms. Jamjun Siriganjanavong, Senior Director, Head of Debt Capital Markets Department from Krungsri introduced the sustainable finance supports provided by Krungsri and MUFG in ASEAN and Thailand markets. As for digital trading, Mr. Satoru Someya, Managing Director and Chief Operation Officer at TradeWaltz Inc., Japan’s digital trade platform which is one of MUFG’s partners, shared with the audience about digital trade initiatives among ASEAN countries and Japan and the successful launch of the National Digital Trade Platform (NDTP) of Thailand which is the first pilots involving Thailand-Japan trade.
The event was honored to have Mr. Kobsak Duangdee, Secretary General of The Thai Banker’s Association and Project Leader of the ASEAN-BAC Digital Trade Connect Legacy Project, to deliver the closing remarks. Mr. Kobsak shared his vision by reaffirming the ESG Declaration of the Thai Bankers’ Association (TBA) which aims to set the banking industry’s common direction to drive the Thai economy toward sustainable growth by addressing key issues of emerging ESG risks and opportunities in relation to climate change, diversity and human rights, financial inclusion and reduced inequalities, while fully supporting Thailand's transition toward achieving UN Sustainable Development Goals. He also emphasized the successful cooperation between Thailand and Japan in digital trade and payment connectivity which helps improve efficiency both in term of lower cost and shorter time and will help more countries to transform their cross-border trade to digital trade in the future.