LightCastle Partners Hosts High-Level Dissemination on Access to Finance for Bangladesh’s RMG Sector 

On October 29, 2026, LightCastle Partners, in collaboration with Policy Exchange Bangladesh, organized a high-level dissemination event titled “Unlocking Green Finance Pathways for Bangladesh’s RMG Sector” at a hotel in Dhaka. The event was held as part of the Oporajita – Collective Impact on Future of Work: Just Transition for Women in the RMG Ecosystem Phase 2 initiative as a part of Bunon 2030. The initiative is supported by the H&M Foundation, co-funded by Sweden and COS, with The Asia Foundation serving as the backbone organization. 

The event brought together representatives from BGMEA, IDCOL, the Delegation of the European Union to Bangladesh, the International Labour Organization (ILO), The Asia Foundation, EuroCham Bangladesh, and other financial institutions, industry stakeholders, and development organizations. Discussions focused on expanding access to affordable green finance and identifying practical solutions to support sustainable investments in Bangladesh’s RMG sector. 

The session commenced with a keynote presentation by Shoumik Shahriar, Principal Business Consultant and Portfolio Manager at LightCastle Partners, who highlighted the sector’s USD 4.8 billion financing gap between 2025 and 2029, against an estimated USD 6.6 billion investment requirement to achieve a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. He reflected key financing barriers and emphasized the need for tailored financial instruments, risk-sharing mechanisms, and stronger institutional coordination to translate available capital into factory-level investments. 

Attending as the Chief Guest, Hasan Khaled Foisal, Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Finance, emphasized the importance of utilizing existing financial resources effectively and directing investments towards priority areas. Nuria Lopez, Managing Director of Zalo Knitting Limited, joined as the Special Guest and highlighted the growing importance of sustainability in maintaining Bangladesh’s global competitiveness, particularly through accessible financing and greater value addition in manufacturing. 

Building on these discussions, a high-level panel titled “Closing the Financing Gap: Regulatory, Institutional and Market Pathways for RMG’s Green Transition” was moderated by Dr. M. Masrur Reaz, Chairman of Policy Exchange Bangladesh. The discussion explored policy reforms, affordable long-term financing, risk-sharing arrangements, and institutional collaboration to improve manufacturers’ access to green capital. 

The panel featured Nazmul Haque, Chief Investment Officer at IDCOL; Shams Mahmud, Managing Director of Shasha Denims Limited; Molla Karimul Islam Tuhin, Senior Assistant Vice-President and Operational Head of Sustainable Finance at City Bank PLC; Tashmeem Muntazir Chowdhury, Senior Vice-President and Head of ESG and Sustainable Finance at BRAC Bank PLC; and Taif Hossain, Programme Manager at the Delegation of the European Union to Bangladesh. 

During the discussion, Nazmul Haque stressed the need for affordable capital and stronger risk-sharing mechanisms to support smaller manufacturers, while Shams Mahmud highlighted how energy insecurity and rising operational costs affect investment decisions in the RMG industry. From the banking sector, Molla Karimul Islam Tuhin emphasized the mismatch between long-term investment needs and available financing structures, and Tashmeem Muntazir Chowdhury discussed the potential of green bonds, sustainability-linked loans, and blended finance. Lastly, Taif Hossain highlighted evolving European sustainability requirements and the importance of international financing partnerships in supporting Bangladesh’s industrial competitiveness. 

The panel was followed by an interactive open forum, where participants discussed practical measures to improve access to green finance, including simplified approval procedures, affordable long-term financing, and stronger technical support for investment-ready projects. The discussion also highlighted the importance of ensuring that smaller manufacturers and women garment workers benefit from the industry’s transition towards sustainable production. 

The event concluded with closing remarks by Kazi Faisal Bin Seraj, Country Representative at The Asia Foundation, highlighting the importance of continued dialogue, coordinated policy action, and stronger partnerships to expand sustainable financing opportunities across the RMG sector. Through the Oporajita – Just Transition for Women in the RMG Ecosystem initiative, LightCastle Partners remains committed to fostering collaboration, unlocking sustainable investment, and building a more resilient, competitive, and inclusive RMG sector.