Southeast Bank Joins Bangladesh Bank Tk 1,000 Crore Green Refinance Scheme For Sustainable Projects

Dhaka, September 25, 2026 — Southeast Bank PLC has joined Bangladesh Bank's (BB) Tk 1,000 crore refinance scheme to support financing for environmentally friendly projects, including green industries and green factory buildings. The bank recently signed a participation agreement with BB under the scheme.

👥 Signing Ceremony

Md Khalid Mahmood Khan, managing director and CEO of Southeast Bank, and AKM Nurunnabi, director of BB's Sustainable Finance Department, signed the agreement at BB's head office. Mohammad Kamruzzaman, executive vice president of Southeast Bank's CRM Division, was also present at the signing ceremony.

💰 Scheme Details

Under the scheme, Southeast Bank will provide financing to eligible clients at a preferential interest rate. The initiative aims to:

• 🌳 Support sustainable industrial development.
• 🌳 Encourage environmentally responsible investment in Bangladesh.
• 🌳 Finance green factory buildings — including LEED-certified facilities.
• 🌳 Support green industries — with environmentally compliant production processes.

🌳 Bangladesh's Green Factory Movement

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 of this movement 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.

💼 Bangladesh Bank's Green Refinance Framework

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

• 🏦 Fund size: Tk 1,000 crore.
• 🏦 Participating banks: multiple banks, including Southeast Bank, NCC Bank, and others.
• 🏦 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.
• 🏦 Environmental impact: reduced carbon footprint, improved resource efficiency, enhanced environmental compliance.

💼 Southeast Bank's Sustainability Commitment

For Southeast Bank, joining the green refinance scheme represents a continued commitment to sustainable banking. The bank has been:

• 🌳 Expanding its green financing portfolio.
• 🌳 Supporting LEED-certified factory construction in the RMG sector.
• 🌳 Investing in renewable energy projects.
• 🌳 Aligning its lending practices with environmental sustainability goals.

🌏 Why Green Financing Matters For Bangladesh's Export Economy

Green financing is particularly important for Bangladesh's export-oriented sectors:

• 👕 RMG sector compliance — international buyers increasingly require environmental compliance, including LEED certification.
• 👕 EU market access — the EU's Green Deal and sustainability requirements affect Bangladesh's export competitiveness.
• 👕 Brand reputation — green factories enhance Bangladesh's image as a responsible sourcing destination.
• 👕 Cost savings — energy-efficient factories reduce operating costs over time.
• 👕 Climate resilience — green infrastructure is better adapted to climate change impacts.

📜 Looking Ahead

Southeast Bank's participation in the green refinance scheme positions the bank to support Bangladesh's transition towards a more sustainable industrial economy. The preferential financing will help:

• 🌳 RMG factory owners invest in green building upgrades.
• 🌳 New industrial projects incorporate environmental compliance from the start.
• 🌳 Existing factories transform into more resource-efficient operations.
• 🌳 Renewable energy projects access affordable financing.

The agreement reinforces Southeast Bank's role in Bangladesh's sustainable finance ecosystem — and supports the broader national agenda of environmentally responsible industrialisation.