BYMA presented the 2023 Sustainability Report

BYMA presented its sixth Sustainability Report which communicates the actions, programs and initiatives in economic, social and environmental matters carried out during 2023, with a central focus: to collaborate with the sustainable development of Argentina.

The report accounts for the performance of all BYMA Group companies: Bolsas y Mercados Argentinos (BYMA), Caja de Valores (CVSA), Instituto Argentino de Mercado de Capitales (IAMC) and Tecnología de Valores (TECVAL).The report uses annual quantitative indicators to show the evolution of sustainability management and is aligned with international standards: GRI, TCFD and SASB.

In its role as Argentina's leading stock exchange, BYMA manages its activity in a responsible manner, and seeks to contribute to the development of the country and the creation of a sustainable market. To this end, it develops specific products to promote transparency and best practices in the ecosystem. It also integrates transparency, good corporate governance, environmental and social variables to create value.

‍The focus of work 2023

‍BYMA maintained its focus on raising awareness in order to multiply responsible and inclusive good practices and have a direct and indirect impact on the 17 SDGs. We worked actively to contribute from the business to optimize the positive economic, social and environmental impact on the local capital market and its participants.

On the presentation of the report, BYMA's CEO, Gonzalo Pascual Merlo, said: "For BYMA, sustainability is a priority. We work continuously to create the conditions for the entire ecosystem to evolve in this area. This report not only reflects our achieved projects, but also deepens our path towards the future: more sustainability translates into more evolution for Argentina."

‍In turn, BYMA's Head of Corporate Governance and Sustainability, Julieta Artal Conte, stated, "We are focused on contributing to the evolution of the Capital Markets and access to financing. As we have done since the beginning of BYMA, we will continue providing tools, making products and developments available, and accompanying participants with training and awareness to generate a positive economic, social and environmental impact within our environment".

About the Report

This is the sixth Sustainability Report prepared by the Stock Exchange, using the sustainability guidelines that are a global benchmark.

The content is available on the BYMA website

Highlighted actions

#Business model

• Among the indicators that define BYMA's performance during 2023, we include: 
  - CEDEARS: + 230%.
  - OMS: + 580% in the client base and + 11% increase in volume.
  - OPTIONS: grew by 1,130% versus Options market growth of 192%.
  - CAUTIONS: + 296% in average daily volume.
  - S&P MERVAL INDEX: recorded an increase of 51.6%.
  - The new mutual fund quota share custody system (SCFCI) recorded more than one million active clients. 
• ‍Economic performance:
  ‍The market value of listed domestic companies: USD 42,081 million, while the USD value of the 81 listed companies increased by 48%.$194.779 million was the net result of the business at the end of 2023 against a result of $22.880 million obtained in the 2022 period.33,487,948 were the assets under custody during 2023, translating into a monthly average + 178% over 2022.Financial income was $194.055 million. And the operating margin was 54%. 
• ‍Corporate Governance:
  ‍- We integrated the GC+ Corporate Governance Panel, the listing panel for trading shares issued by companies that voluntarily adopt additional Corporate Governance practices beyond those required by Argentine law.
  - We have a strong integrity program.
  - BYMA received no allegations of corruption during 2023.

Customer Service

• ESG Products
  ‍- ESG product and service issuances had a 66% increase over total labeled debt recorded in 2022.
  - BYMA was part of the Sustainability Index, a development that annually highlights the 20 issuers of leading Environmental, Social, Corporate Governance and Sustainable Development (ESG-D) stocks.
  - BYMA adhered to the initiative of Pacto Global Red Argentina 
• ‍Technological Innovation
  ‍ BYMA's Corporate Venture Capital fund, BYX Ventures, made new investments in startups such as DeepAgro and Vor-Tex. A new custody system developed with Nasdaq technology was implemented, which registered more than 1,000 transfers per second, while 700 thousand was the daily average of transfers.
• ‍Cybersecurity and data protection
  ‍BYMA employees were trained through internal publications, simulations and interactive modules.

#Market Relations

• Financial education and inclusion
  ‍The BYMAEDUCA program developed 14 courses that had more than 30,760 participants, an increase of 2,629% over the previous year. BYMA employees were involved as speakers and allocated 1,874 hours for training. Scholarships were awarded for more than four million pesos. 
• ‍A source of accurate and useful information
  ‍BYMADTA, BYMA's financial information platform, recorded an increase in paid users of 15.76% and the total number of active users in the free version was 5085.

#BYMA's Human Capital

• At the close of 2023, the total number of collaborators reached 383, to whom more than 55 hours of training were allocated on average. Nine employees received scholarships to study at leading universities, while 49 employees received language training. As part of BYMA's Equality Policy, BYMA employees have extended maternity and paternity leave and a breastfeeding friendly space. As a result, BYMA obtained 78% in the WEPS Tool Self-diagnosis conducted by UN Women, positioning itself at the Leader level.

#Natural Capital

• Environmental Performance
  ‍We measured, reduced and offset the totality of BYMA's Corporate Carbon Footprint in its 3 scopes. We also renewed our commitment to the Green Seal and the reduction in electricity consumption increased by 20%. 24,350 kgs was the total amount of materials recycled in the offices and 1,200 trees were saved through the BYMA Digital platform. 
• ‍Relationship with the community
  ‍Our private social investment program, which is carried out through volunteer days, had more than 435 hours of participation by collaborators, which translated into 9,244 beneficiaries. BYMA's contribution to the program was $21,472,500.