ESG and Sustainable Finance – Opportunities and Challenges event was held with the joint efforts of Grant Thornton, European Business Association and ProCredit Bank, On June 20, 2024.
The event was attended by up to 70 business representatives who discussed the current issues of integrating environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles into financial statements and their importance for the future of companies.
During the first part of the meeting, speakers made presentations about the following topics:
- Trend of corporate sustainability policy development in Georgia – Salome Zurabishvili, Executive Director of the UN Global Compact Network of Georgia;
- Expected results for business in terms of UN Sustainable Development Plans and ESG – Mariana Javakhyan, Grant Thornton Armenia, Senior Consultant, Sustainable Development and ESG Advisor;
- What does the sustainability of success mean: innovative practices for wide impact – Irine Kikvadze, expert of the Sustainable Development Department of ProCredit Bank;
- Opportunities for Sustainable Finance and Sustainability Strategy – Azat Manukyan, Grant Thornton Armenia Advisory Partner.
During the second part of the meeting, the panel discussion was held moderated by Rati Zautashvili – Senior Business Relations Manager of the UN Global Compact Network in Georgia and panelist were: Azat Manukyan – Grant Thornton Armenia Advisory Partner; Aleksandre Jashiashvili – Head of Sustainable Development Department of Procredit Bank of Georgia; Otar Anthia – Green Economy Expert of the Council of Investors; Mikheil Chelidze – Head of Crystal’s Credit Risks Department.
The current issues of integrating environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles into financial statements and their importance for the future of companies were discussed During the event.
Members of the Grant Thornton Global network actively support sustainable development and responsible business development. According to the International Business Report (IBR) produced by Grant Thornton, companies consider sustainability to be as important factor as financial success.
Considering the importance of sustainable development aspects for the business, Grant Thornton will continue similar activities to wider audience in the future. S
Grant Thornton is one of the world’s leading organizations of independent assurance, tax and advisory firms. Grant Thornton firms help dynamic organizations unlock their potential for growth by providing meaningful, forward-looking advice. Proactive teams, led by approachable partners in these firms, use insights, experience and instinct to understand complex issues for privately owned, publicly listed and public sector clients and help them to find solutions. More than 73,000 Grant Thornton members in over 150 countries are focused on making a difference to clients, colleagues and the communities in which we live and work.
‘Grant Thornton’ refers to the brand under which the Grant Thornton member firms provide assurance, tax and advisory services to their clients and/or refers to one or more member firms, as the context requires. ‘GTIL’ refers to Grant Thornton International Ltd (GTIL).GTIL and each member firm of GTIL is a separate legal entity. GTIL is a non-practicing, international umbrella entity organised as a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. GTIL does not deliver services in its own name or at all. Services are delivered by the member firms. GTIL and its member firms are not agents of, and do not obligate one another and are not liable for one another’s acts or omissions.
European Business Association (EBA) unites more than 100 Georgian and European companies. The organization’s vision is to create the same environment for business in Georgia as in Europe; Advocates European business in Georgia and promotes the development of trade and investment between Georgia and Europe.
ProCredit Bank is a development-oriented commercial bank and offers excellent customer service to small and medium enterprises and to private individuals who have the capacity to save and who prefer to do their banking through electronic channels. ProCredit Bank adheres to a number of core principles: Value transparency in corporate communication with customers, do not promote consumer lending, strive to minimise ecological footprint, and provide services which are based both on an understanding of each client’s situation and on sound financial analysis.
