The global sustainable finance market reached USD 919 billion in 2025 and is projected to exceed USD 1.1 trillion in 2026, underscoring the growing importance of sustainable capital worldwide. Bangladesh is also demonstrating strong momentum in this space, with sustainable financing reaching BDT 83.75 billion during the October–December quarter of 2025, representing 35.87% of total loan disbursements.

Industry leaders, policymakers, investors, and development partners gathered at the Sustainable Finance Summit 2026 in Dhaka to discuss how blended finance and sustainable investment can accelerate economic growth, strengthen climate resilience, and expand financial inclusion across Bangladesh.

Organized by LightCastle Partners with support from the Embassy of Switzerland in Bangladesh, the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), Truvalu Bangladesh, and Startup Bangladesh Limited, the summit aimed to mobilize blended finance and deepen the country’s sustainable finance ecosystem.

In his inaugural remarks, Ambassador of Switzerland to Bangladesh Reto Renggli emphasized the growing importance of sustainable finance in shaping future economies.

“Sustainable finance is no longer a niche agenda. It is essential for building an inclusive and future-ready economic foundation,” he said.

Masud Rahman, Chief Technology Advisor of the Aspire to Innovate (a2i) programme, highlighted the need for innovation, technology, and sustainable financing to advance together, noting the government’s continued focus on strengthening digital infrastructure and supporting entrepreneurs.

A keynote presentation by Bijon Islam, Chief Executive Officer of LightCastle Partners, explored how Bangladesh can unlock new sustainable investment opportunities by translating global commitments into investable projects and scalable solutions.

The summit featured discussions on blended finance, impact investing, sustainable capital mobilization, and the role of technology and entrepreneurship in driving inclusive growth.

A key highlight of the event was the launch of two new investment vehicles — the ORE-2 Fund and the Bangladesh Impact Fund — unveiled jointly by Bijon Islam, CEO of LightCastle Partners, and Sharawwat Islam, Managing Director of Truvalu Bangladesh. The funds are expected to contribute to expanding Bangladesh’s sustainable investment landscape and mobilizing capital toward high-impact sectors.

More than 200 participants, including policymakers, financial institutions, investors, entrepreneurs, development organizations, and ecosystem stakeholders, attended the summit, reflecting growing interest in sustainable and impact-driven investment opportunities across Bangladesh.

Source: The Financial Express