PAAB and UOB Malaysia Launch Vendor Financing Programme

Pengurusan Aset Air Berhad (PAAB) and United Overseas Bank (UOB) Malaysia recently launched the Vendor Financing Programme (VFP), a strategic collaboration aimed at strengthening financial support for vendors involved in PAAB’s projects, held at Menara UOB.

The launch was officiated by representatives from UOB Malaysia, Country Head of Transaction Banking, Lucas Chew and Country Head of Wholesale Banking, Andy Cheah together with representatives from PAAB, CFO Zaleha Abdul Hamid and COO Ir. Abdul Samad Sulaiman.

For the record, UOB Malaysia is the second banking partner to collaborate with PAAB under the VFP, further expanding financing options available to vendors involved in PAAB’s projects.

Through this programme, UOB Malaysia will facilitate improved access to working capital, enabling contractors, consultants and suppliers to execute projects efficiently while enhancing business sustainability.

Notably, PAAB is the first Minister of Finance Incorporated company, an agency under the Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA) to introduce such a programme for its vendors ecosystem.

Beyond financing, the VFP reflects a broader commitment to fostering trust, collaboration and shared responsibility across the water infrastructure value chain. By strengthening partnerships between financial institutions, vendors and industry stakeholders, the programme contributes to building a more resilient and financially sustainable ecosystem.

The event also featured a panel discussion titled “Powering Water Infrastructure through Financial Resilience” with panellists including our CFO Zaleha Abdul Hamid, Janet Lee, Head, Trade Sales & FSCM, Transaction Banking from UOB Malaysia and vendor representative, General Manager from Water Engineering Technology, Ng Boon Kiat.

This initiative also supports national priorities under the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK13), particularly in accelerating non-revenue water (NRW) reduction and enhancing the efficiency and reliability of Malaysia’s water infrastructure.

The launch of the VFP marks a key milestone in PAAB and UOB Malaysia’s partnership, reinforcing a shared commitment to financial innovation, operational efficiency and sustainable growth across Malaysia’s water sector.