Photo: Collected

DHAKA, July 24, 2025 (BSS) - Bangladesh is poised to take a significant step toward inclusive and sustainable economic growth by exploring the launch of Orange Bond and Orange Sukuk, aimed at empowering women, protecting the environment, creating employment, supporting MSMEs, and transforming rural communities.
 
The initiative aligns with Bangladesh’s Islamic finance heritage and presents a unique opportunity to integrate social and environmental goals with innovative financial instruments, said a press release here today. 
 
The combined use of ‘Orange Bonds’ and ‘Orange Sukuk’ is expected to strengthen Bangladesh’s financial landscape and support inclusive and sustainable development.
  
This was highlighted at a media briefing titled ‘Bangladesh Orange Bonds: Mobilizing Global Capital for Inclusive Local Growth’ held at a hotel in city’s Kawran Bazar, Dhaka.  
 
The event was organized by Impact Investment Exchange (IIX), a pioneer and key player in global impact investing.
  
Professor Durreen Shahnaz, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of IIX, delivered the welcome address, emphasizing the importance of justice, social inclusion, and climate action in sustainable economic progress. 
 
“The role of the Orange Bond is crucial,” she said, adding “Its primary goal is to foster equality, inclusion, and climate resilience within Bangladesh’s economy.” 
 
Debashis Roy, Advisory and Partnerships Director at IIX Bangladesh, and Bashar Rahman, Analyst at IIX Bangladesh, also shared insights in the event. 
 
In her welcome remarks, Professor Durreen Shahnaz stated that true economic progress is not sustainable unless it is anchored in justice, social inclusion, and climate action. 
 
She emphasized that this is exactly where ‘Orange Capital’ can play a vital role. “The Orange Bond and Orange Sukuk are designed to place equality, inclusion, and climate resilience at the core of Bangladesh’s economic future,” she said. 
 
“Preparations are underway to launch Bangladesh’s first Orange Bond series, aiming for a $1 billion issuance in the near future,” she added.
  
The initiative is designed to not only raise capital but also support key sectors such as garments, agriculture, healthcare, financial services, and MSMEs. It aims to empower women, youths, and marginalized communities, helping them adapt and mitigate the impacts of climate change.
 
 IDCOL’s involvement as a vital partner underscores the program’s commitment to public welfare and scaling impact.

At the briefing, IIX also shared its vision for developing Bangladesh’s Orange Capital Market and its potential positive impact both locally and globally. The organization highlighted that Orange Bonds are the world’s first cross-sector financial instruments, designed to channel investments into key sectors, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

The event underscored the critical role of MSMEs, including women-led MSMEs, which together contribute approximately 27 percent to Bangladesh’s GDP.