UOB and EnterpriseSG launch sustainability-linked financing programme for SMEs

The programme will help SMEs reduce sustainability-linked costs by 85%.

UOB and Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG) launched a Sustainability-Linked Advisory, Grants and Enablers (SAGE) Programme for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

The program simplifies sustainability-linked financing for SMEs, offering UOB preferential loan rates to SMEs meeting pre-agreed sustainability performance targets (SPTs).

The programme collaborates with sustainability partners CDP, Convene ESG, M1, Paia Consulting, PwC Singapore, and TÜV SÜD, enabling SMEs to join a unified initiative with predefined SPTs.

Under the SAGE Programme, companies can select from three “plug and play” options of predefined, sector-specific SPTs to obtain sustainability-linked financing from UOB. 

The SPTs, validated by Environmental Resources Management, target three main areas: GHG emissions reduction, management systems certification, and ESG rating enhancement.

With UOB's preferential pricing through its sustainability partners and Enterprise Singapore's support, SMEs can cover up to 85% of costs for ESG digital platforms, advisory and assurance services for GHG inventory, ISO management system certification, and improving ESG disclosures to meet SPTs.