Qatar Stock Exchange has announced the launch of a Sustainability and ESG platform, to allow companies to map their progress on 34 sustainability indicators.
The new platform allows all companies listed on the Qatari exchange to upload sustainability reports and file data on a clutch of indicators, giving investors access to information in one place.
In a media statement, Hussain Mohammed Al Abdullah, marketing and communications director at QSE, said it was increasingly important for investors to have easy access to data on environmental, social and governance factors and sustainability reports in a central hub.
The platform will be powered by ArabSustainability.com, an established provider of technology for ESG reporting.
The launch is supported by the Qatar Financial Markets Authority which is pursuing its own sustainability drive as part of the Qatar National Vision 2030 development plan. The 2030 aims to encourage adoption of ESG approaches through Islamic and humanitarian values.
In launching the new platform, Rashid Bin Ali Al Mansoori, chief executive officer of Qatar Stock Exchange, said the trading group would continue to liaise with market participants to improve the disclosure of sustainability data.
“We voluntarily commit, through dialogue with investors, companies and regulators, to promote long-term sustainable investment,” he said in a statement. “….and to improve environmental, social and corporate governance disclosure and performance among listed companies on our exchange.”
The exchange has taken a series of measures in recent years to stimulate ESG reporting from Qatari listed companies. In December 2016, it launched its ESG Guidance to encourage better corporate reporting of ESG issues.
In the media statement launching the new platform, the exchange said that it hoped the move would improve the attractiveness of individual companies and the QSE as a whole to investors.
Further details on the platform are available at qse.arabsustainability.com.
