RAM Ratings in first global line up of credit rating agency signatories to United Nations-supported ESG effort

RAM Ratings on 26 May 2016 joined the line-up of the first credit rating agency signatories to the United Nations-supported Principles for Responsible Investment's (PRI) Statement on Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) in Credit Ratings. Given the importance of institutional credit ratings to the about USD100 trillion global debt capital markets, the PRI aim to better align investors and credit rating agencies on the importance of ESG issues. The Statement on ESG in Credit Ratings is a way for RAM Ratings, together with Moody's, S&P Global Ratings, Dagong Global and 2 other credit rating agencies as well as global investors, to communicate our commitment to a more systematic and transparent incorporation of ESG into credit ratings and analysis. "This PRI initiative represents our first step towards contributing to the development of a more sustainable global financial system," highlights Foo Su Yin, RAM Ratings' CEO.

"RAM Ratings' role as a global leader in sukuk ratings and ASEAN's leading credit rating agency adds momentum to this PRI initiative. We look forward to seeing RAM Ratings as an ESG benchmark in Asia," remarks Fiona Reynolds, Managing Director of the PRI. The PRI was founded by former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan in tandem with the UN Global Compact and UNEP FI. The PRI provides a voluntary framework by which all investors can incorporate ESG issues into their decision-making and ownership practices, thereby better aligning their objectives with those of society at large. Among the 1,500-plus signatories to the PRI, more than 550 have significant allocations in debt capital markets. These include many of the world's largest fixed-income investors such as pension funds, insurers, sovereign wealth funds, foundations and asset managers.

The PRI works to understand the investment implications of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors and to support its international network of investor signatories in integrating these factors into their investment and ownership decisions. PRI signatories are currently responsible for USD60 trillion of assets under their management.

RAM Ratings' operations started in 1990, having been established by the Malaysian Central Bank as part of the institutional infrastructure to support the development of the country's bond market. In the last 25 years, RAM Ratings has facilitated the raising of more than USD260 billion of funding in the form of both bonds and sukuk. We are also one of the 6 credit rating agencies recognised by the Tokyo Stock Exchange for its PRO-Bond Market. Beyond the domestic market, RAM Ratings has increased the coverage of our credit ratings and thought leadership to also encapsulate the ASEAN region and other jurisdictions.

Please go to www.ram.com.my for more details on RAM Ratings, and www.unpri.org for more details on PRI and its Statement on ESG in Credit Ratings, published on 26 May 2016.

Media contact
Padthma Subbiah
(603) 7628 1162
padthma@ram.com.my

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Published by RAM Rating Services Berhad