CelcomDigi Berhad has taken a major step in advancing sustainable business practices by launching its Vendor Empowerment and Excellence Programme (VEEP) – a strategic initiative aimed at uplifting Malaysian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) within its supply chain. In its first rollout, the programme has onboarded nearly 100 SMEs and exclusive sales partners from over 60 companies nationwide.
As ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) standards become increasingly critical in global business ecosystems, VEEP positions Malaysian SMEs to meet rising expectations for transparency, responsibility, and sustainability. The programme begins with a strong focus on building ESG fundamentals, guided by the Simplified ESG Disclosure Guide (SEDG), developed in partnership with Capital Markets Malaysia (CMM).
This collaboration equips SMEs with tools and knowledge to measure, disclose, and integrate ESG impact into their operations – aligning with Bursa Malaysia’s sustainability reporting expectations and opening doors to partnerships, funding, and long-term credibility.
A Strategic Commitment to Sustainable Supply Chains
Speaking on the programme’s broader ambition, Joachim Rajaram, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer of CelcomDigi, highlighted the importance of empowering homegrown businesses:
“SMEs form over 97% of Malaysia’s business landscape and are projected to deliver 45% of the country’s GDP this year, making them a driving force of our economy. Supporting their growth is a strategic priority for us as part of our ESG commitment to build a sustainable value chain.”
He added that with over 72% of CelcomDigi’s value chain comprising Malaysian businesses, the company sees a unique opportunity to lead by example in cultivating a supply chain that is resilient, ESG-compliant, and future-ready.
VEEP is part of CelcomDigi’s long-term ESG strategy to build an inclusive and sustainable business ecosystem. It aims to extend beyond ESG into areas such as digital transformation, capacity building, inclusive procurement, cross-sector partnerships, and access to commercialisation and financing channels.
Empowering SMEs to Scale Sustainably
With this programme, CelcomDigi is not only setting a new benchmark for supplier engagement in Malaysia but also addressing a critical gap: how to make ESG compliance accessible and actionable for SMEs, many of which lack the resources or frameworks to get started.
By providing structured support and strategic partnerships, VEEP will help SMEs meet the rising global demand for responsible business conduct, enhance their competitive edge, and gain visibility among ESG-aligned investors and partners.
To learn more about the CelcomDigi VEEP initiative and how your business can get involved, visit the VEEP official page.
