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Musim Mas Signs its first Sustainability-Linked Loan with Rabobank and HSBC Bank

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SINGAPORE, Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Musim Mas is proud to announce its inaugural Sustainability-Linked Revolving Credit Facility, marking a significant step in its commitment to sustainable business practices. Partnering with Rabobank as sustainability coordinator and HSBC as other lender, the Musim Mas Group’s marketing arm, Inter-Continental Oils & Fats Pte. Ltd., and its Spain and Italy Biofuel entities will convert its EUR 150 million uncommitted Revolving Credit Facility (RCF) into a sustainability-linked loan.

Musim Mas is strategically leveraging the Sustainability-Linked Loan (SLL) to seamlessly integrate environmental and social sustainability into its financial framework, reinforcing its dedication to responsible business practices, in line with the LMA Sustainability-Linked Loan Principles. The Sustainability-Linked Loan will be anchored on three Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) – RSPO certification of independent smallholders, training of independent smallholders, and maintaining a deforestation-free palm oil supply chain. External verification of Musim Mas’ annual progress will be conducted by reputable assessors, ensuring transparency and accountability.

The selection of these KPIs was carefully driven by various factors, such as materiality and level of ambition of the targets. Independent smallholders operating on smaller-scale oil palm farms represent an important opportunity for advancing sustainable palm oil production. To sustainably increase the overall output volume of independent smallholders, who make up an estimated 41% of the production area[1], there is a need to improve the yield of these farmers. By empowering these smallholders to adopt sustainable farming methods, Musim Mas not only enhances livelihoods and promotes social equity but also advances toward its long-term goals of eliminating deforestation and fostering a resilient and responsible palm oil supply chain.

As the sustainability coordinator for the facility, Rabobank facilitated the integration of sustainability principles into the financing structure. Rabobank and HSBC serve as joint lenders for the RCF.

Gregory Vandeler, Head of Trade & Commodity Finance, Rabobank Asia, commented: “Rabobank is honoured to have acted as the lead sustainability coordinator for Musim Mas in their inaugural sustainability-linked loan. Partnering with Musim Mas – one of our longstanding clients and a true leader in sustainability in the palm oil industry – in this inaugural deal, reflects the trusted relationship we have with them. Linking sustainability performance to financing is a way to support our clients in their sustainability commitments while simultaneously enhancing productivity, resilience, and farmer livelihoods. There is great potential in making the agri-food sector more sustainable. In our role as a leading food, agriculture and trade commodity bank, we are committed to taking a leading role in working closely with our clients in their sustainable transition journeys.”

Priya Kini, Head of Commercial Banking, HSBC Singapore, said: “We have a longstanding relationship with Musim Mas, and we are glad to be able to further deepen our support with their first sustainability-linked loan. Musim Mas wants to embed ESG principles into their core business operations and financing activities, and we are pleased to help them do so. This collaboration is a clear demonstration of HSBC’s ongoing efforts to support our clients’ transition to a more sustainable future.”

This Sustainability-Linked Loan marks another step in Musim Mas’ commitment to incorporating environmental and social considerations into its financing activities. In 2021, the company secured a Green Trade Financing Facility with a Singapore bank, with RSPO certification as a key performance indicator under the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS)’ Green Finance Industry Taskforce’s Green and Sustainable Trade Finance and Working Capital Framework. In 2024, Musim Mas collaborated with a leading bank to implement an innovative Sustainable Account with a Liquidity Management Structure. This initiative was designed to optimize the Group’s cash flow and working capital across its entities, while seamlessly integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations.

“Contracting a sustainability-linked loan with ambitious, meaningful, and measurable targets is a testament to Musim Mas’ deep-rooted commitment to sustainability and responsible corporate behavior. Musim Mas is reinforcing to our stakeholders—financial banks, customers, and employees—about our dedication to driving positive environmental and social impact while delivering long-term value.”, said Mr Alvin Lim, Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director, Musim Mas.

For more information about Musim Mas, visit our website at this link.

[1] Herdiansyah, H., Negoro, H. A., Rusdayanti, N., & Shara, S. (2020). Palm oil plantation and cultivation: Prosperity and productivity of smallholders. Open Agriculture, 5(1), 617–630. https://doi.org/10.1515/opag-2020-0063

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CONTACT: Devane Sharma, [email protected]

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Statement From Universal Music Group N.V.

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HILVERSUM, Netherlands, Nov. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — “We have taken note of Bill Ackman’s post in relation to Pershing Square and UMG on X yesterday. Neither UMG nor any of its other board members were involved in the formulation of the views in that post. As disclosed in UMG’s listing prospectus, Pershing has the right to request a listing in the US subject to a Pershing entity selling at least $500 million in UMG shares as part of the listing. Pershing does not have any right to require UMG to become a US domiciled company or delist from Euronext Amsterdam. While the company will endeavor in good faith to comply with its contractual obligations with respect to undertaking the process of a US listing at the request of Pershing, any actions or decisions beyond those necessary to comply (including any decisions to change the domicile of the company) will be based on an analysis taking into account what is value maximizing and in the best interests of all the shareholders of the company.”

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Manulife Investment Management aligns capabilities across regions under the newly created role of Global Emerging Market Equities CIO

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LONDON, Nov. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Manulife Investment Management today announced enhancement to its equity organization in leveraging expertise across its Asia and Emerging Markets teams to improve investment experience for its clients.  Charlie Dutton, an equity investment leader with substantial experience in Asia, is named to the newly created role of Chief Investment Officer, Global Emerging Market Equities. In this new role, Charlie will oversee and align our Asia ex-Japan and emerging market equity capabilities, ensuring we leverage local resources and insights across the organization.

Manulife Investment Management has operated in emerging markets for more than a century. Today, it has one of the largest equity teams based in Asia with over 90 investment professionals located across 10 markets in the region. By combining local insight with deep investment expertise, Manulife Investment Management will be able to leverage deeper information advantage over other asset managers based outside of Asia. The combined Emerging Market Equities organization manages over US$25 billion in AUM across Asia and emerging markets equity strategies.

“Collaboration and engagement have always been at the heart of our investment culture, and our emerging markets and Asia equity teams have participated in a variety of forums to exchange ideas and insights.  The closer alignment of the Asia equity team with the global Emerging Markets equity organization formalizes the longstanding sharing of ideas and insights between our Asia and our emerging markets equity teams.  We believe this alignment will translate into improved research sharing and investment decision making, and will enhance our ability to create custom-tailored solutions to meet client needs,” said Colin Purdie, Global Chief Investment Officer, Public Markets, Manulife Investment Management.

Charlie will be spending a considerable amount of time in Asia with the extensive investment teams across the region in the coming months. He will continue to be based in London, affording him the opportunity to work and communicate with the investment teams in London and across Asia effectively, ensuring connections between each.

Charlie brings more than 27 years of investment experience to this role, including over 25 years of Asia equity investment experience with seven years in Hong Kong as well as South Africa and London. Prior to joining Manulife Investment Management’s Emerging Markets Equity team earlier this year, Charlie was a fund manager at Ninety One as part of the Global Quality Capability team that managed assets across five strategies.

Before Ninety One, Charlie was a founding partner at Coupland Cardiff, an Asian investment firm, where he spent 10 years managing Asian focused equity funds. Prior to that, he was based in Hong Kong and served as director of Asia-Pacific research at JPMorgan and as a Hong Kong/China consumer analyst at JF Securities. Charlie started his career at HSBC based in Hong Kong as a HK/China Analyst.

“We are confident Charlie’s deep investment experience, including over 25 years investing in Asia equity, makes him ideally suited to take on the role of CIO, Emerging Markets Equities. We look forward to his leadership, combined with the support of our Asia investment teams, in building upon our strong foundation in the region, and leading our Asia business into the future,” said Steve Medina, Chief Investment Officer, Global Equities, Manulife Investment Management.

At the same time, Manulife Investment Management announced that Kathryn Langridge, Senior Managing Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, and Head of Emerging Markets Equity team, has shared her intention to retire effective October 31, 2025, after an impressive investment career spanning over 40 years.  Meanwhile, Ronald Chan, CIO, Asia ex-Japan Equity, is departing Manulife Investment Management.

“The alignment of the Asia and the Emerging Markets equity teams is a testament to the critical role Asia plays in today’s equity markets, and further draws attention to the deep pool of talent in Manulife’s investment organization,” said Charlie Dutton, Chief Investment Officer, Global Emerging Market Equities. “By globalizing and strengthening this capability, Manulife Investment Management is better positioned to deliver for its clients while expanding the pipeline of research and insight the Emerging Markets equity team can deliver for other capabilities at the firm on a global basis.”

About Manulife Wealth & Asset Management

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As part of Manulife Financial Corporation, Manulife Wealth & Asset Management provides global investment, financial advice, and retirement plan services to 19 million individuals, institutions, and retirement plan members worldwide. Our mission is to make decisions easier and lives better by empowering people today to invest for a better tomorrow. As a committed partner to our clients and as a responsible steward of investor capital, we offer a heritage of risk management, deep expertise across public and private markets, and comprehensive retirement plan services. We seek to provide better investment and impact outcomes and to help people confidently save and invest for a more secure financial future. Not all offerings are available in all jurisdictions. For additional information, please visit manulifeim.com

Media contacts: Carl Wong, Manulife Investment Management Asia, +852 2510 3180, [email protected]; Elizabeth Bartlett, Head of Wealth & Asset Management Public Relations, North America & Europe, Manulife Investment Management, +1 857 210 2286, [email protected]

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Palm Jebel Ali Project Surges Ahead in 2024: Milestones Achieved in Record Time for Dubai’s Most Anticipated Development

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DUBAI, UAE, Nov. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Nakheel, a member of Dubai Holding’s pioneering real estate arm Dubai Holding Real Estate, has marked significant progress in the development of Palm Jebel Ali in 2024, with the project progressing at pace to meet 2025 milestones.

The development masterplan was approved by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai in May 2023, who said at the time; “Palm Jebel Ali will further strengthen our urban infrastructure and consolidate the city’s emergence as one of the world’s leading metropolises. This new groundbreaking project reflects our strategic development plan centred on raising the quality of life and happiness of residents.”

The Palm Jebel Ali area received further recognition this year when His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, approved the master plan for the 6.6 kilometre development of Jebel Ali Beach. The project includes a five-kilometre sandy beach, to be developed by Nakheel, as well as a 1.6-kilometre-long Mangrove Beach, to be developed by Dubai Municipality.

Khalid Al Malik, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Holding Real Estate, said; “At Nakheel we believe in developing dreams, inspired by the vision of our leaders and the hopes of our people. The rapid progress we are currently witnessing on ground at Palm Jebel Ali is testimony to the grand success of our key partnerships and our joint endeavours to ensure we deliver on our commitments.”

Several key contracts for the project were awarded throughout 2024, including the construction of a new 6-kilometre road, the contracts for the island’s marine works, dredging, land reclamation, beach profiling and sand placement, directly supporting the construction of villas. The first eight fronds of the project are expected to be site-ready for villa infrastructure and civil works by the first quarter of 2025.

Crucially, the contract for the construction of exclusive ultra-luxury villas on the first six fronds of the project has also been awarded and are scheduled for completion by late 2026. Nakheel recently announced their partnership with Dubai Electricity and Water Authority for the development of two substations on Palm Jebel Ali.

Video: Palm Jebel Ali

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Palm Jebel Ali three major contracts signing ceremony

 

Groundbreaking ceremony of marine works on Palm Jebel Ali with Jan De Nul Dredging LTD

 

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