Softex Indonesia Wins SIlver at Asia Sustainability Reporting Awards

Singapore, 29 April 2020: Softex Indonesia has won a Silver in  Asia Best’s Sustainability Report (1^st Time) at the 5th Asia Sustainability Reporting Awards (ASRA), the most prestigious awards for reporting.

“Sustainability is an integral part of our company's strategy and we strive for the company's presence to benefit the community, as well as reduce the environmental impacts that may occur due to the company's operations. We are honored to receive the Asia Best’s Sustainability Report award for the first time. This recognition reinforce us to keep the spirit in sustainability efforts in the future,” said Softex Indonesia CEO, Hendra Setiawan.

The winners were selected from 461 entries received from 16 countries in Asia. The 2019 ASRA saw 80 shortlisted companies from 13 countries competing in the finals across 19 awards categories.

In a live broadcast from Singapore, more than 200 senior business leaders and sustainability professionals from 15 countries attended the exclusive awards ceremony hosted virtually due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Attendees also included dignitaries from academia, embassies, trade associations, and advocacy organisations.

The Swedish Ambassador H.E. Niclas Kvarnström, the Swedish Ambassador, Singapore was the Guest of Honour at the awards ceremony hosted virtually this year due to Covid-19 pandemic.

In his keynote address, Ambassador Kvarnström said, “The current times highlight the importance of transparency for solving global problems. Businesses that show investors and customers that they are sustainable and responsible also show that they are leaders.”

The awards ceremony started with the opening address by Ms. Alexandra McKenzie, Chargé d’Affaires of the British High Commission to Singapore.

As institutional investors are getting more serious about a company’s sustainability performance, sustainability reporting has become an essential tool for communicating how the reporting organisation manages its material economic, environmental and social impacts, risks and opportunities to build a sustainable business.

Rajesh Chhabara, managing director of CSRWorks International and the founder of ASRA, said: “The unprecedented global pandemic caused by Covid-19 is a stark reminder that businesses, governments and societies need to work together to build mutual resilience. Adopting responsible environmental, social, and governance practices has become ever more essential to ensure corporate sustainability.”

Softex Indonesia award-winning report demonstrates the organisation’s leadership in sustainability reporting and its commitment to creating long-term value for stakeholders.

ASRA, the most prestigious recognition for sustainability reporting, has continuously raised the bar for quality and authenticity of reporting introducing a healthy competition among companies in Asia.

An independent judging panel determined gold, Silver and Bronze winners for 2019.  ASRA follows a rigorous multi-tier evaluation process. Evaluation of entries involves three rounds of assessments to select the very best in each award category. In addition to assessing the report quality, comprehensive due diligence is carried out to consider finalists’ reputation among their stakeholders as part of the judging process.

CSRWorks International, a Singapore-based firm focussed on sustainability consulting, training and thought leadership, has created non-profit Asia Sustainability Reporting Awards to inspire all companies to adopt sustainability reporting.