Green investment rises by 24.61pc

Investments under green initiatives increased by 24.61 per cent or Tk 34,326.75 million as of the October-December quarter of 2017, compared to the previous July-September period, reports BSS.
"The green banking activities of banks and financial institutions (FIs) in the quarter ended December 31, 2017, evidences upward trend. Bangladesh Bank is trying to play a significant role to expand green banking activities by monitoring the whole scenario and by taking appropriate actions," a central bank official told the news agency on Tuesday.
According to the latest data of Bangladesh Bank (BB), total amount invested as green finance stood at Tk 173,801.77 million in October to December quarter of last year. Out of the total invested amount, direct green finance was only 7.78 per cent or Tk 13,527.65 million and indirect green finance was Tk 160,274.12 million.
The official said, 44 banks out of 57 and 13 FIs out of 34 had exposure in green finance, either direct (31 banks and eight FIs) or indirect (29 banks and 13FIs) mode in the Oct-Dec quarter.
"Bangladesh Bank issued a policy guideline for Green Banking in February, 2011. Under the guideline, all operating banks and FIs have introduced environment-friendly banking activities in the country," he added.