Eastern Bank PLC Signs Two Refinancing Agreements With Bangladesh Bank For Green Investment And Women Entrepreneurs

Dhaka, September 29, 2026 — Eastern Bank PLC (EBL) has signed two participation agreements with Bangladesh Bank to provide financing at preferential interest rates under the central bank's refinancing schemes to support the construction of environmentally friendly factories and promote women entrepreneurs.

🌳 The agreements reinforce EBL's commitment to sustainable banking and join a growing list of Bangladeshi banks participating in BB's green refinance schemes — including NCC Bank, Southeast Bank, Prime Bank, and BRAC Bank.

📋 The Two Refinancing Schemes

The agreements cover:

1. 🏭 Green Factory Building and Green Industry Sector Refinance Scheme — providing preferential-rate financing for construction of environmentally friendly factories and green industrial infrastructure.
2. 👥 Women Entrepreneur Development Refinance Scheme — providing preferential financing to support women entrepreneurs in establishing and expanding businesses.

🌳 Bangladesh Bank's Green Refinance Framework

The Tk 1,000 crore green refinance scheme is part of Bangladesh Bank's broader sustainable finance framework:

• 🏦 Fund size: Tk 1,000 crore per scheme
• 🏦 Participating banks: EBL, NCC Bank, Southeast Bank, Prime Bank, BRAC Bank
• 🏦 Eligible projects: green factory buildings, renewable energy, energy efficiency, waste management, water conservation
• 🏦 Preferential interest rate: below market rate, with BB providing refinance at concessional terms

💼 Why Green Financing Matters For Bangladesh's RMG Sector

Bangladesh's RMG sector has the world's highest number of LEED-certified green factories — with over 200 certified facilities. The green refinance scheme supports continued expansion by:

• 🏭 Reducing the cost of green factory construction through preferential financing
• 🏭 Encouraging environmental compliance in line with international buyer requirements
• 🏭 Supporting Bangladesh's commitment to reduce carbon emissions under the Paris Agreement
• 🏭 Improving resource efficiency in water, energy, and waste management

👥 Women Entrepreneur Focus

The women entrepreneur refinance scheme is particularly significant for Bangladesh:

• 👩 Women's economic participation — Bangladesh has made significant progress in women's workforce participation, particularly in the RMG sector
• 👩 Women-led SMEs — growing number of women entrepreneurs starting businesses
• 👩 Access to finance — women entrepreneurs often face barriers in accessing formal credit
• 👩 Preferential terms — the refinance scheme provides lower interest rates specifically for women borrowers

🏢 EBL's Sustainability Commitment

For Eastern Bank, the agreements represent a continued commitment to sustainable banking and ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) principles. The bank has been:

• 🌳 Expanding its green financing portfolio
• 🌳 Supporting LEED-certified factory construction
• 🌳 Investing in renewable energy projects
• 🌳 Promoting women's banking and financial inclusion
• 🌳 Aligning lending practices with UN Sustainable Development Goals

🌏 Broader Context: Banking Sector Green Adoption

Multiple Bangladeshi banks have now joined BB's green refinance scheme:

• 🏦 NCC Bank — signed for green factory building and ICT sector
• 🏦 Southeast Bank — joined Tk 1,000 crore green refinance scheme
• 🏦 Prime Bank — joined BB schemes for green and ICT financing
• 🏦 BRAC Bank — joined BB refinancing schemes for green industry and ICT
• 🏦 Eastern Bank — signed two agreements for green investment and women entrepreneurs

This growing participation demonstrates that Bangladesh's banking sector is increasingly aligning with the country's sustainable development and climate resilience agenda.

📜 Looking Ahead

For EBL's customers — particularly in the RMG, manufacturing, and women entrepreneur segments — the refinance schemes provide access to preferential financing for green investments and women-led business expansion. The agreements support Bangladesh's broader goals of:

• 🌳 Environmental sustainability in industrial production
• 👩 Women's economic empowerment
• 💰 Attracting international buyers who require green compliance
• 🌏 Preparing for LDC graduation with a more competitive and sustainable industrial base

The signing reinforces EBL's position as a partner in Bangladesh's sustainable development journey — supporting both environmental and social objectives through targeted financial products.