Orange Economy Summit 2026 eyes $100m in inclusive climate investment

Bangladesh is set to attract a significant international investment aimed at fostering inclusive and climate-resilient economic growth, as Impact Investment Exchange (IIX) has announced plans to allocate up to $100 million to the country under its $1 billion Orange Climate Fund.

The announcement was made by Professor Durreen Shahnaz, founder and chief executive officer of Impact Investment Exchange (IIX) during the “Orange Economy Summit 2026: Dhaka” held at the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) on Tuesday.

The summit was jointly organised by the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), Impact Investment Exchange (IIX), and the Policy Research Institute of Bangladesh (PRI).

Bangladesh Bank Deputy Governor Dr. Md. Habibur Rahman attended the event as the chief guest.

The summit centred on the potential of a $100 million investment under IIX’s Orange Climate Fund for Bangladesh, development of the country’s Orange Capital ecosystem, and the role of capital markets in achieving long-term, inclusive and sustainable economic growth.

Addressing the summit as chief guest Dr. Habibur Rahman said innovative financial instruments such as Orange Bonds can play a crucial role in promoting women’s economic empowerment, financial inclusion, and climate resilience.

He reaffirmed Bangladesh Bank’s full support for attracting $100 million in Orange investments into Bangladesh by 2030, emphasising the importance of building a diversified and sustainable financial market in the post-LDC era.

In her welcome address, DSE Managing Director Nuzhat Anwar expressed satisfaction at hosting the summit, saying economic growth must go hand in hand with social inclusion and climate resilience to ensure sustainable development.

She noted DSE’s commitment to sustainable finance, corporate governance and implementation of international standards, adding that such initiatives would help raise awareness of Orange economy instruments and strengthen the regulatory framework for capital market development.

IIX Founder and CEO Professor Durreen Shahnaz said building a robust and inclusive financial market is indispensable for Bangladesh’s long-term sustainable growth amid its LDC graduation.

She identified vast investment potential in the readymade garments, agriculture, energy transition and financial services sectors, saying deepening the capital market is essential to unlock that potential.

Describing the ‘Orange Movement’ as a global initiative to build inclusive capital markets, Shahnaz said IIX is working to mobilise $10 billion by 2030.

She disclosed that IIX has invested over $18 million in Bangladesh over the past decade and announced that $100 million has been earmarked for Bangladesh under IIX’s $1 billion Orange Climate Fund.

PRI Chief Economist Ashikur Rahman presented the keynote paper titled ‘Building an Orange Capital Ecosystem in Bangladesh’, noting that the country must overcome challenges including job creation, climate risk management and increased investment in productive sectors to achieve LDC graduation and a trillion-dollar economy.

Ashik said the groundwork has already been laid through Green Bonds, Social Bonds and the country’s first Orange Bond, and what is now needed is policy support, market-driven innovation and attraction of international capital to build a strong Orange Capital market.

The summit concluded with a session on ‘Experience Sharing from Emerging Markets’, moderated by IIX Senior Director (Research and Government Relations) Priyank Tiwari.

IIX Indonesia’s Antya Widita and IIX Director of Impact Partners (Investment Banking) Jonathan Abeywickrema shared experiences on inclusive financing, sustainable investment and the role of Orange Capital in capital market development across emerging economies, while also exploring how international best practices can be applied in the Bangladesh context.