Compliance, strong risk management key to business growth

THE Securities Investors Association (Singapore) is celebrating its 20th Anniversary and holding the 10th Singapore Corporate Governance (CG) Week 2019 themed "Technology - The New Face Of Governance?" from Sept 23 to Oct 1, 2019.

Organised by Sias, CG Week is endorsed and supported by The Association of Banks Singapore, The Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (Acra) and the Singapore Accountancy Commission (SAC) as Supporting Organisations, as well as The Singapore Exchange as the Supporting Exchange. Sias is also a member of the OECD Asian Roundtable.

A key feature of the programme is the Statement of Support by corporates to uphold and advance good corporate governance standards. This statement reads:

"As an organisation, we are committed to upholding high standards of corporate governance to enhance shareholder value. We believe practising good corporate governance is central to the health and stability of our financial markets and economy."

To date, 80 companies have joined the Statement of Support initiative for excellence in corporate governance.

Loh Uantchern Chief Executive Officer, Asia-Pacific, Black Sun Group

"As a stakeholder communications company, Black Sun's purpose and mission resonate strongly with the new Principle 13 - Engagement with Stakeholders - of the Singapore Code of Corporate Governance. Our purpose is to make businesses more valued by their stakeholders. We achieve this by helping clients articulate how they create value, and deliver inspiring communications that reach, engage and influence their stakeholders."

John Lim Group Chief Executive Officer, ARA Asset Management Ltd

"At ARA, we have always championed the establishment of strong risk management and corporate governance systems as the foundations of a robust, sustainable organisation that can inspire investor confidence.

The Group has grown tremendously in the last two years, expanding from our stronghold in Asia-Pacific to the United States and Europe. Together with our associates, we now have more than S$83 billion in gross assets under management.

Although ARA is growing very quickly, we are determined that it will not come at the expense of good corporate governance and will continue to safeguard our strong compliance and risk management practices as we globalise the business."

Kong Chee Min Chief Executive Officer, Centurion Corporation Limited

"Corporate governance is one of the key drivers of what Centurion does. Having good corporate governance practices allows us to conduct business in a transparent, accountable and sustainable manner.

We strive for full accountability and responsibility to both internal and external stakeholders, ensuring that all necessary information is provided in a clear, concise and timely manner, for investors to make well-informed decisions.

Going beyond our duties as a listed entity, we regularly engage with residents of our properties and the wider community, supporting meaningful causes aligned with Centurion's core values of management "with a heart". Our philosophy is to have Centurion's long-term business success closely intertwined with the well-being of the communities we operate in."

Franky Oesman Widjaja Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Golden Agri-Resources Ltd

"Innovation, sustainability and governance are essential to Golden Agri-Resources' success in building a resilient business and is now one of the leading integrated palm oil companies in the world.

Good corporate governance requires a strong commitment to compliance, a company culture that values ethics and a comprehensive internal control system. Together, these form a solid foundation for GAR to pursue its business in the long run, achieve its goals and enhance stakeholder value."