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LightCastle Partners recently participated in a workshop on the Orange Bond Initiative, hosted by the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC). Bijon Islam, Co-founder and CEO of LightCastle, joined representatives from the Ministry of Finance, Bangladesh Bank, IFC, UNDP, and Impact Investment Exchange (IIX). Together, they discussed how Bangladesh can take concrete steps to promote gender-lens investing through the introduction of Orange Bonds.
At its core, the Orange Bond is a financial instrument designed to mobilize private capital for gender-focused initiatives. Specifically, these bonds aim to fund projects that support women-led businesses, strengthen climate resilience, and drive sustainable development. As a result, they contribute to broader goals of gender equality and inclusive economic growth.
During the session, participants explored how Orange Bonds could align with both Bangladesh’s national development priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In particular, they focused on goals related to gender equality, climate action, and women’s economic empowerment.
Moreover, Impact Investment Exchange shared insights from their successful implementation of Orange Bonds in other Asian countries. Drawing from their experience, they identified several key sectors in Bangladesh that could benefit from this form of financing:
In addition, Impact Investment Exchange presented a practical roadmap for launching Bangladesh’s first Orange Bond. They emphasized the importance of localizing global models to fit Bangladesh’s unique financial and social landscape. Furthermore, they addressed key challenges, including the need to build investor confidence, structure bonds to meet both financial and social objectives, and engage local stakeholders for long-term impact.
Overall, this multi-stakeholder dialogue set the stage for a more inclusive and forward-looking capital market in Bangladesh. By linking financial innovation with national development strategies and global sustainability efforts, the Orange Bond Initiative holds promise for meaningful and lasting change.
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