This article first appeared in The Edge Malaysia Weekly on October 28, 2024 - November 3, 2024

RHB Islamic International Asset Management’s i-Sustainable Future Technology Fund emerged triumphant at The Edge Malaysia ESG Awards 2024, securing two gold awards — best overall fund and best fund in the equity asset class.

Meanwhile, RHB Asset Management’s ESG Multi-Asset Fund claimed gold in the best fund in the allocation asset class category, while its Climate Change Solutions Fund earned a silver award in the best impact fund under the resource security category.

With a total of three gold and one silver awards, RHB is one of the two biggest winners in the fund category this year.

“Our success stems from our ongoing efforts to refine and enhance our offerings, ensuring they meet the growing demand for sustainable investment solutions while staying at the forefront of emerging trends in responsible investing for Malaysian investors,” says Ng Chze How, managing director and CEO of RHB Asset Management.

Ng adds that the asset management company views market volatility as a catalyst for growth and innovation. This year, a significant challenge for fund managers has been navigating global market fluctuations driven by geopolitical tensions, shifting interest rate expectations and the soaring stock performance of the world’s largest technology companies.

“By staying true to our core ESG principles and focusing on long-term sustainability trends, we can transform short-term market fluctuations into strategic opportunities. Our commitment to sustainability enables us to invest in critical transitions, such as the shift to a low-carbon economy, which presents resilient growth prospects despite market unpredictability,” he says.

The i-Sustainable Future Technology Fund invests in shariah-compliant technology companies that contribute to the development of a sustainable global economy. Ng highlights that the fund centres on critical sustainable technology themes, including low-carbon infrastructure, clean energy solutions, smart cities, data security and digital democratisation.

Meanwhile, RHB ESG Multi-Asset Fund feeds into the BlackRock ESG Multi-Asset Fund, which invests in equities, fixed income, clean energy, social housing, gold and other hedging strategies.

The RHB Climate Change Solutions Fund feeds into the JP Morgan Asset Management’s Climate Change Solutions Fund, which invests in a portfolio of companies developing climate change solutions.

“We remain optimistic about the prospects for our ESG-focused funds, especially as global markets adjust to the recent US Federal Reserve rate cut. While we anticipate that market volatility may continue in the short term, we are confident that our diversified strategies will deliver value and help navigate these fluctuations effectively,” says Ng.

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