SAJIDA Foundation to launch Bangladesh's first domestic Orange Bond

SAJIDA Foundation has planned to issue Bangladesh's first domestic Orange Bond worth Tk 2 billion (about $16.4 million), aiming to "support women-focused and inclusive development enterprises", according to a press release.
The bond proceeds will be channeled into SAJIDA Foundation's core sectors, including livelihoods, health, housing, and financial inclusion.
It is expected to attract local and international investors in mobilizing funds at scale for "gender-smart and climate-aligned financing within Bangladesh's domestic debt markets," said the press statement.
In this initiative, the Foundation is partnering with Impact Investment Exchange (IIX), a global pioneer in sustainable finance and impact investing, and BRAC EPL Investments Limited (BEIL), one of Bangladesh's leading investment banks.
"By entering the domestic bond market with a gender-intentional instrument, we are demonstrating how development institutions can responsibly mobilize capital while remaining accountable to the communities we serve," said Zahida Fizza Kabir, chief executive officer at SAJIDA Foundation.
IIX will support SAJIDA Foundation through an Orange Bond Framework advisory and an independent external review aligned with the Orange Bond Principles, alongside post-issuance annual enterprise impact assessments.
BRAC EPL Investments will bring its capital market expertise to strengthen issuer readiness, thematic bond structuring considerations, and investor engagement, bridging global standards with Bangladesh's local market context.
"Orange Bonds present a timely opportunity to unlock capital for SMEs and women-led enterprises in Bangladesh. This collaboration allows us to bring international best practices in impact finance into the domestic market, supporting sustainable and inclusive economic growth," the press release quoted Syed Rashed Hussain, CEO of BRAC EPL Investments, as saying.
Professor Durreen Shahnaz, founder and CEO of IIX, said, "This landmark issuance by a foundation that is playing a leadership role in inclusive finance will set a new standard for inclusive financial systems and transparency in the country, helping deepen the capital markets to work for the 99 per cent.
"As a first-of-its-kind issuance, the Orange Bond will create a critical precedent for the financial ecosystem to accelerate Bangladesh's journey toward an inclusive and sustainable economy."