29 March 2022
Bangkok (29 March 2022) – Krungsri provides the 5-year Sustainability Loan facility of 3,000 million Baht to Bangkok Expressway and Metro Public Company Limited (“BEM”), aiming to carry on the ESG mission and reinforce the position of the country’s sustainability leader of both organizations. The move represents a further development of the successful collaboration in offering the first sustainability bonds last year which had been overwhelmingly well-received and awarded as “Best Sustainability Bond” at The Asset Asian Awards 2021 as well as enduring the mission of Krungsri in being a trusted partner for its customers.
This year, Krungsri is not only acting as the sole lender of the sustainability loan, but also as the ‘Sustainability Coordinator’ of the deal.
Mr. Plew Trivisvavet, Chairman of the Board of Directors (Acting) and Chairman of the Executive Board of Bangkok Expressway and Metro Public Company Limited or BEM, said “BEM has long been giving priority to the sustainability of business operations through providing the transportation service with convenience, rapidity, and safety, in tandem with undertaking business with social and environmental responsibility, to deliver the “Path of Happiness for a Better Travelling Mode”. Further to our success in issuing the sustainability bond last year, BEM continues to pursue the ESG-related policies by signing a sustainability loan agreement of 3,000 million Baht with Krungsri which will be used to finance the M.R.T. Blue Line Project. Moreover, BEM has arranged for the acquisition of this sustainability loan to be assessed and certified by the second-party opinion provider, DNV GL Business Assurance Australia Pty Ltd, to ensure that BEM’s Sustainable Financing Framework are in alignment with international standards.”
Mr. Seiichiro Akita, Krungsri President and Chief Executive Officer, said “Krungsri aims to create the ongoing growth of ESG Finance to achieve the goal of being a trusted partner to customers. We have joined hands with MUFG to move ahead with the policy of developing financial products to promote sustainable businesses as well as disseminating knowledge about the progress in the area of ESG Finance. This will be an alternative for the Bank’s customers to build business growth while driving their businesses towards the social and environmental goals, and most importantly, help promote the growth of a strong sustainable finance market in Thailand. As a trusted partner to our customers during their journey of sustainable growth, we feel truly honored to collaborate with BEM again in this sustainability financing deal to pursue BEM’s mission in driving the business as a service provider of the country’s vital transportation system towards long-term sustainability.”