#CulturePH - Empowering Small Businesses: Ant International’s New Sustainability Scorecard

In a world where sustainability is becoming increasingly important, Ant International is stepping up to help small businesses make a big impact. Introducing the MSME Sustainability Impact Scorecard (MSME S-Card), a groundbreaking digital tool designed to support Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in their journey towards more sustainable practices.

What is the MSME S-Card?

The MSME S-Card is part of Ant International’s Programme Sirius, an initiative aimed at promoting sustainability and inclusivity. This innovative scorecard helps MSMEs track their environmental and social impact in a verified and convenient way. By integrating ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) metrics into their business operations, small businesses can enhance their sustainability credentials, attract impact-focused investors, and support long-term growth.

Why It Matters

MSMEs make up 90% of businesses and employ over half of Asia’s workforce. However, many face challenges in adopting sustainable practices due to a lack of knowledge, resources, and tailored financial products. The MSME S-Card addresses these issues by providing a streamlined digital solution that automates the collection of key data, making it easier for businesses to engage in sustainability initiatives.

A Collaborative Effort

Ant International isn’t doing this alone. They’ve partnered with GCash from the Philippines and Gprnt to pilot the MSME S-Card. GCash will customize the scorecard to meet the needs of their local MSME customers, while Gprnt will provide the technology to simplify ESG data collection and reporting.

Supporting Sustainable Growth

Leiming Chen, Chief Sustainability Officer at Ant International, emphasized the importance of including MSMEs in the global shift towards sustainability. “We hope that the MSME S-Card will offer a benchmark for MSMEs and financial institutions to work together to support MSMEs’ sustainability journey,” he said.

The Role of GCash

In the Philippines, MSMEs account for 99.5% of all businesses. GCash, a leader in mobile financial services, is committed to promoting financial inclusion and sustainability. Their GForest initiative has already mobilized 17 million users to plant over 2.8 million trees, reducing carbon emissions and providing livelihoods for thousands of farmers.

Looking Ahead

The pilot project for the MSME S-Card is expected to launch next year, marking a significant step towards a more sustainable future for small businesses. By leveraging digital platforms and local expertise, Ant International and its partners are creating a synergistic ecosystem that combines capital, technology, and sustainability expertise.

Join the Movement

As we move towards a greener future, tools like the MSME S-Card are essential for empowering small businesses to make a positive impact. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting initiative and see how you can be part of the change.

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