BM Report:
Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) and National Advisory Board (NAB) jointly organized the ‘Impact Investment, ‘Bridging the Gap’ round table.
The workshop was organized at the BSEC Multipurpose Hall on Sunday and discussed the theoretical and global framework of impact investment and the possibilities, challenges, and opportunities of its implementation in Bangladesh.
BSEC Commissioner Sheikh Shamsuddin Ahmed led the program under the leadership of NAB Chief Executive Officer Farhadur Reza. BSEC Chairman Professor Shibli Rubaiyat-ul-Islam was present. Besides, various representatives of national and global organizations were also present on the occasion.
NAB Executive Officer Farhadur Reza gave a conceptual note on impact investment in Bangladesh and the need for joint collaboration to work on it.
BSEC Chairman Professor Shibli Rubaiyat ul Islam mentioned the initiative of BSEC to popularize impact investment in Bangladesh. He referred to the recent sustainability bond issued by BSEC. He spoke about the ESG priority issue pursued by BSEC and reiterated BSEC’s efforts to prioritize the sustainability of projects in fundraising. He assured continued support from BSEC for future impact investments and invited joint collaboration in this regard.
NAB Trust Chairman Arastu Khan, GSG Head of Market Development Fai Wechayachai, BSEC Executive Director Mohammad Rezaul Karim, Netherlands Social Finance Manager Laura Browner, and Build Bangladesh Executive Director Erad Kawsar made their presentations on impact investment.
The presenters discussed the National Strategy for Impact Investment, Accelerating Impact Economics with country and Bangladesh examples, Instruments for Impact Investment, Impact Measurement and Reporting, BSEC’s implementation and ongoing initiatives, challenges, and ways to popularize it in Bangladesh.
The participants emphasized the need for a coordinated approach by all stakeholders and removing policy constraints to make impact investment in Bangladesh user-friendly.
In the closing speech, Sheikh Shamsuddin Ahmed thanked everyone for giving their opinions together. He mentioned BSEC’s concern and initiative on impact investment and the recent joint cooperation of IFC and UNDP with BSEC to work on the project.
