Sustainable Finance Framework and Second Party Opinion
ASA International has established a Sustainable Finance Framework to guide the issuance of sustainable financing instruments that support the Group’s mission of expanding financial inclusion across its markets.
The framework defines the eligible categories of activities and investments that may be financed through sustainable funding instruments. These categories focus on expanding access to essential financial services, including microfinance and related financial products, for underserved populations such as women, youth, low-income individuals and micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). In addition, the framework includes women’s economic empowerment and socioeconomic advancement as an eligible category, supporting women entrepreneurs and income-generating activities that strengthen livelihoods and financial resilience.
The framework is aligned with internationally recognised sustainable finance standards, including the ICMA Social Bond Principles, ICMA Sustainability Bond Guidelines, and the LMA, APLMA and LSTA Social Loan Principles.
ASA International has obtained an independent Second Party Opinion from Moody’s Ratings, which assigned the framework an SQS1 Sustainability Quality Score and assessed it as having a high contribution to sustainability.