KUALA LUMPUR: RHB Islamic Bank Berhad has entered into a strategic three-year memorandum of understanding (MoU) with AsiaEvents Exsic Sdn Bhd, the organiser of the Malaysia International Dive Expo (MIDE), formalising its role as the exclusive banking partner of the event through to 2027.
The signing ceremony was held at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) in conjunction with the opening of MIDE 2025. This agreement reinforces RHB Islamic Bank’s sustained commitment to marine conservation under its flagship Ocean Harmony programme.
Datuk Adissadikin Ali, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of RHB Islamic Bank, said the collaboration underscores the bank’s environmental focus within its broader environmental, social and governance (ESG) agenda.
“We are not attempting to be everything to everyone. As a bank with finite resources, we have chosen to prioritise one critical aspect of the environment – the ocean,” he stated. “We are not promoting diving as a sport; rather, diving offers a means of understanding and communicating what lies beneath the surface. That is the essence of Ocean Harmony.”
Established in 2019, Ocean Harmony is a value-based intermediation initiative aimed at supporting awareness, research, and preservation of Malaysia’s marine ecosystems. It is also aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Below Water.
In 2025, the bank has collaborated with six Malaysian entities to further this cause. These include Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Universiti Malaya, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Ocean Ranger, One Heart Environment, and University Malaya Medical Centre.
During the event, RHB Islamic Bank also introduced the Limited Edition RHB Visa Ocean Harmony Multi-Currency Debit Card-i. The card is designed to simplify international transactions, particularly for frequent travellers.
“Travellers often encounter similar challenges – managing leftover foreign currency or locating exchange facilities. This card addresses those issues by eliminating the need for physical cash and enabling seamless transactions in 34 currencies at competitive rates,” said Adissadikin.
MIDE 2025 attracted more than 200 exhibitors over the weekend, representing a diverse cross-section of the industry including dive operators, equipment suppliers, tourism boards, and non-governmental organisations.
-Bernama
