Global Vision Logistics (GVL) has announced the establishment of its maiden RM1.5 billion Asean Green Sustainable and Responsible Investment (SRI) Sukuk Programme.

The Sukuk Programme will fund the development of the Shah Alam International Logistics Hub (SAILH) by GVL, which is set to be the first green-certified logistics hub in Malaysia and one of Asean’s largest.

UOB Malaysia is the Principal Adviser, Lead Arranger, and Joint Lead Manager for the Sukuk Programme, while AmInvestment Bank is the Joint Lead Manager.

The Sukuk Programme was established under the Shariah principle of Murabahah (via a Tawarruq arrangement) and based on the Securities Commission Malaysia’s SRI Sukuk Framework and the Asean Capital Markets Forum’s Asean Green Bond Standards. The first tranche comprising RM620 million unrated Islamic Medium-Term Notes will be issued in the second quarter of this year.

Ng Wei Wei, CEO, UOB Malaysia, said, “At UOB, we are very clear about what sustainability means to us, and that is to forge a sustainable future together with our clients and the communities. This has motivated us to innovate and develop impactful solutions to help our clients decarbonise.

“We are pleased to be supporting the development of Shah Alam International Logistics Hub which is aligned with our net zero commitments while contributing to the country’s logistic industry growth. With intra-Asean and China-Asean trade collectively valued at about US$1.3 trillion, the development of the logistics sector is critical to facilitate trade and ensure Malaysia’s competitiveness in the global supply chain.”

Oh Kim Sun, Chairman of GVL, said, “The establishment of the Asean Green SRI Sukuk Programme marks a significant milestone for GVL. With the support from UOB Malaysia and AmInvestment Bank, the Sukuk Programme will finance the construction of the SAILH.

Once the SAILH is completed, it will be one of the region’s largest logistic hub that enhances the supply chain for trade and commerce, and will improve the competitiveness of Malaysia’s logistics sector.”

One of the largest green-certified logistics hubs in Southeast Asia

The SAILH is strategically located on 71 acres of Shah Alam’s prime industrial estate and connected to land, sea and air transportation networks. The development is targeted to be completed in a few phases by 2028. Once completed, the SAILH will be one of the largest green-certified logistics hub in the region.

The logistics hub is expected to attain the local GreenRE Silver Rating and attain global recognition from the Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies (EDGE) Advanced and EDGE Zero Carbon.

The standards and certification processes are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the World Green Building Council’s commitment to developing buildings that produce as much (or more) energy than they consume or aim to achieve a net zero future.

Oh said: “To achieve the green certifications, the SAILH incorporates sustainable features from the construction stage to the completion and operational stages. These include the use of low-carbon building materials during construction to the installation of solar panels, efficient water fittings and energy-efficient lightings, elevators, and air-cooling systems.”

The SAILH consists of a four-storey warehouse complex that includes two driving ramps for light- and heavy-duty vehicles to easily access each warehouse level, as well as other amenities including offices, conference facilities and workers’ residences. Phase one of the development is expected to be completed by mid-2025 and has a total net lettable area of 2.8 million square feet. The remaining phases will be completed by the end of 2028.

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