A national-level roundtable in Dhaka brought regulators, banks, non-bank financial institutions, industry bodies and enterprises together to identify how this gap can be closed.
The discussion, titled “Bridging the Green Finance Gap in Bangladesh’s RMG Supply Chain: Findings for Policy and Practice”, was held on 18 July 2026. With support from the Embassies of Sweden and Switzerland, Swisscontact Bangladesh brought together regulators, financial institutions, industry bodies and enterprises to identify practical ways to make green finance more accessible and usable across the RMG supply chain. The event was co-facilitated by SEBA Limited.
Participants represented Bangladesh Bank; BRAC Bank PLC, Eastern Bank PLC, Jamuna Bank PLC, NCC Bank PLC, Prime Bank PLC, Shahjalal Islami Bank PLC and The City Bank PLC; IDLC Finance PLC and IPDC Finance PLC; Infrastructure Development Company Limited (IDCOL); Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (SREDA); Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA); Gancio Footwear Ltd.; Tag n Pac; Swisscontact; and SEBA Limited.
Representatives from the commercial banks noted that Tier 2 and Tier 3 manufacturers often face higher perceived credit risks, weak documentation and limited project readiness. They also emphasised that relationship managers and frontline banking teams require stronger technical understanding, clearer internal incentives and more targeted products to expand green lending.
Non-Bank Financial Institutions (NBFIs) highlighted the value of risk-sharing, blended finance, aggregators and enterprise-readiness support. Infrastructure Development Company Limited (IDCOL) stressed that credible energy audits, financial records and technical assistance are essential for developing bankable projects, while Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (SREDA) called for a larger pool of qualified energy professionals and stronger knowledge across both industry and finance.
Factory representatives including Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), Gancio Footwear Ltd. and Tag n Pac brought the factory perspective into the discussion. They noted that green investments often compete with immediate priorities such as working capital, production continuity, cash flow and order fulfilment. At the same time, stronger sustainability performance is increasingly important for cost efficiency, buyer confidence, compliance and long-term competitiveness.
The roundtable concluded with a shared call to move from dialogue to practical action. Swisscontact will continue engaging financial institutions and industry stakeholders to connect better-prepared factories with appropriate financing, technical support and market-based solutions that can help scale green transition across Bangladesh’s RMG supply chain.