MUFG Bank (Malaysia) Bhd, a subsidiary of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc (MUFG), recently convened over 100 business leaders, policymakers, and industry experts in Kuching, Sarawak, for its flagship conference, MUFG N0W (Net Zero World). The event served as a pivotal regional platform for dialogue on sustainable development across Asia.
Following the success of its inaugural Malaysian edition in March 2023, this year’s conference reaffirmed MUFG’s commitment to supporting Sarawak’s growth trajectory through sustainable and innovative financial solutions.
Motohide Okuda, Chief Executive Officer and Country Head of MUFG Malaysia, emphasised the bank’s alignment with Sarawak’s aspirations. He stated that MUFG’s continued support is an extension of its broader dedication to Malaysia’s long-term development.
“We look forward to leveraging our environmental, social and governance (ESG) financing expertise and regional network to foster collaborations that bolster Sarawak’s goals for sustainable growth and green innovation,” said Okuda. “This latest MUFG N0W is a compelling showcase of how we are well-positioned to connect the best of Japan’s technological capabilities with Malaysia’s abundant green energy resources to unlock new opportunities and drive further growth.”
He further highlighted MUFG’s alignment with the Sarawak Sustainability Vision 2030 and reiterated the bank’s ongoing role in facilitating public-private partnerships to advance inclusive development across Malaysia, Japan, and the broader region.
Chief Executive Officer of the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), Datuk Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim Sikh Abdul Majid, reinforced the national imperative for green transformation. He cited MUFG’s collaboration with key Sarawak institutions, including the Sarawak Economic Development Corporation and Sarawak Energy, as instrumental in addressing the energy trilemma of affordability, security, and environmental sustainability.
“Malaysia’s green transformation is not just an aspiration – it is an imperative,” said Sikh Shamsul. “We stand ready to support stakeholders from project conceptualisation to implementation and invite further engagement to facilitate green investment journeys across Malaysia.”
MUFG has operated in Malaysia for nearly 70 years, providing corporate clients with a suite of sustainability-focused financial solutions, including green financing, sustainability-linked loans, and green trade facilities. The bank was named Best Sustainable Bank (International) by FinanceAsia in both 2023 and 2024.
In December, MUFG participated in Sarawak’s inaugural state budget conference, contributing to strategic discussions on growth planning and the role of public-private collaboration in green development.
Most recently, the bank signed a memorandum of understanding with Affin Bank – majority-owned by the Sarawak state government – to explore partnership opportunities in advancing Malaysia-Japan business relations and accelerating the green transition.
-The Strait Times
