Research Monograph

Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) play a pivotal role in driving economic growth, fostering innovation, and providing employment opportunities globally. According to the World Economic Forum (2021), MSMEs represent about 90 per cent of business establishments globally and contribute up to 70 per cent of both employment and global gross domestic product (GDP), accentuating their role as the backbone in many economies. As the global economy transitions towards more sustainable and responsible business practices, and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors become increasingly scrutinised, MSMEs are presented with both opportunities and challenges to align their operations with sustainability practices and ESG requirements. Yet, most of the existing sustainability assessment frameworks tend to cater for the needs of large corporations. Realising this gap, INCEIF University - in collaboration with Ficus Capital - has developed the Shari'ah-compliant ESG (ESG-i) Assessment Framework to assess sustainability practices among MSMEs in Malaysia. The ESG-i Assessment Framework serves as a starting point for MSMEs in understanding complex sustainability frameworks and taxonomies that are incongruent with their operational reality. By incorporating Shari'ah principles and embracing the Quadruple Bottom Line (QBL) concept - Planet, People, Profit, and Principle - the framework provides a comprehensive blueprint for evaluating sustainability practices among MSMEs. In contrast to the existing frameworks, the ESG-i Assessment Framework simplifies the criteria for evaluating sustainability practices among MSMEs and provides them with an assessment tool for them to comprehend and integrate into their businesses, regardless of their size and scale. The journey of developing the ESG-i Assessment Framework transcends theoretical constructs to achieve practical efficacy. The pilot phase, featuring a diverse set of MSMEs, not only demonstrates its real-world viability but also emphasises the need for a targeted approach in supporting MSMEs on their journey towards a Low Carbon, Circular and Resilient (LCCR) future. This aligns with the current strategic initiatives taken by many financial institutions and regulatory supervisory authorities driving transition finance. Building upon insights from the pilot phase and feedback from different stakeholders - regulators, practitioners, Shari'ah scholars, and academicians, the ESG-i Assessment Framework has undergone comprehensive enhancements. Aligned with the prevailing domestic ESG guidelines, taxonomies, and assessment framework (e.g., Securities Commission Malaysia (SC)'s Principles-Based Sustainable and Responsible Investment Taxonomy for the Malaysian Capital Market (SRI Taxonomy); Sustainable and Responsible Investment Sukuk Framework; Maqasid Al-Shariah Guidance Islamic Capital Market (Maqasid Guidance); Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM)'s Climate Change and Principle-Based Taxonomy (CCPT), Value-Based Intermediation (VBI); and SME Corporation Malaysia (SME Corp. Malaysia)'s PKS Lestari), as well as international sustainability assessment frameworks (e.g., B Impact Assessment by B Corporations (B Corp), ESG Score by Refinitiv, and standards issued by Global Reporting Initiative (GRI)), the ESG-i Assessment Framework provides a simplified tool developed in recognition of the reality of MSMEs' operations and capabilities. Hence, it serves as a transitional framework for them to embrace sustainability practices. It not only provides an assessment tool but also acts as a bridge to carry MSMEs through the evolving labyrinth that the global sustainability landscape represents. The ESG-i Assessment Framework beckons to be a catalyst for change and champions a more sustainable supply chain for MSMEs. The ESG-i Assessment Framework is increasingly crucial as the European Union's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism is set to take effect in 2024, bringing about substantial implications for the Malaysian economy, particularly impacting MSMEs, which contribute over 16 per cent to the country's exports. Economic Forum (2021). MSMEs represent about 90 percent of business establishments globally and contribute up to 70 percent of both employment and global gross domestic product (GDP), accentuating their roles as the backbone in many economies.

Islamic banks provide similar trade finance facilities to those of conventional banks. They intermediate between buyers (i.e., importers) and sellers (i.e., exporters), act as a custodian of documents, and provide means to reduce payment risks via different payment terms (e.g., open account, documentary collection and letter of credit (LC)). They also provide financing - as need be - to help with working capital tied to the trade transactions. This research focuses only on financing by Islamic banks to importers that involve LCs. Different underlying Shari'ah contracts are used for import financing facilities under LC, the most common being the murabahah contract. At the time of sale, the existence of the subject matter and its ownership by the seller are the key requirements for the validity of a murabahah contract. In the absence of either of these requirements, the contract is considered null and void.