Dhaka: Ambassador of Switzerland to Bangladesh Reto Renggli highlighted Switzerland's commitment to promoting innovative financing in emerging economies, emphasizing its significance as a priority area. Speaking at the 'Sustainable Finance Summit 2026', Ambassador Renggli stated that Switzerland is a global pioneer in supporting impact enterprises, catalytic funds, and entrepreneurship programs that merge public purpose with market discipline.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the summit convened over 200 stakeholders from development, finance, policy, and private sectors to explore current trends and future prospects of sustainable finance in Bangladesh. These platforms are crucial for uniting stakeholders, fostering partnerships, and transforming ambition into action, as noted by Ambassador Renggli. He emphasized the need for a favorable investment climate characterized by legal security, regulatory predictability, and a level playing field.
The summit underscored the importance of blended and sustainable financing in bolstering economic development, addressing climate change risks, and expanding public welfare initiatives. The global sustainable finance market, valued at USD 919 billion in 2025, is expected to grow to USD 1.1 trillion in 2026, with Bangladesh exhibiting positive momentum in this sector. Data indicates that sustainable financing in Bangladesh amounted to BDT 83.75 billion in the October-December quarter of 2025, representing 35.87 percent of total disbursed loans, reflecting the country's growing economic dynamism.
Ambassador Renggli stressed the importance of Bangladesh-Switzerland cooperation, noting that sustainable finance is essential for building an inclusive and future-ready economic foundation. He lauded Bangladesh's efforts in climate resilience and financial inclusion, expressing optimism about the summit's role in unlocking investment opportunities and potential partnerships.
The summit, organized by LightCastle Partners with support from the Embassy of Switzerland in Bangladesh, the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), Truvalu Bangladesh, and Startup Bangladesh Limited, aimed to mobilize blended finance and expand the sustainable finance market within Bangladesh's economy. Masud Rahman, Chief Technology Advisor of the Aspire to Innovate (a2i) project, emphasized the critical juncture Bangladesh faces, where innovation, technology, and sustainable financing must advance together, with the government supporting entrepreneurs through strengthened digital infrastructure.
The event featured discussions across three panel sessions, moderated by industry leaders and experts. Zahedul Amin, Managing Director of LightCastle Partners, led the first panel, featuring speakers such as Diepak, Deputy Head of Mission/Head of Cooperation at the Embassy of Switzerland in Bangladesh; Nuzhat Anwar, Managing Director of Dhaka Stock Exchange; and other notable figures. The open forum was moderated by Ameera Fairooz, Senior Business Consultant at LightCastle Partners.
Bijon Islam, CEO of LightCastle Partners, delivered the keynote presentation titled 'From Pledges to Projects: Unlocking the Next Trillion in Sustainable Finance', offering a global-to-local perspective on navigating Bangladesh's sustainable finance ecosystem.