Economic Reporter :
Investments with green initiatives have increased by 24.61 percent or Taka 34,326.75 million at end of the October to December quarter of 2017 compared to the previous July to September period.
“The green banking activities of Banks and Financial Institutions (FIs) in the quarter ended December 31, 2017 evidences upward trend. BB is trying to play a significant role to expand green banking activities by monitoring the whole scenario and by taking appropriate actions,” a BB official said on Tuesday.
According to the BB’s latest data, total amount invested as green finance has been Taka 173,801.77 million in October to December 2017 quarter. Out of the total invested amount, direct green finance was only 7.78 percent or Taka 13,527.65 million and indirect green finance was Taka 160,274.12 million.
The official said, 44 banks out of 57 and 13 FIs out of 34 have had exposure in green finance, either direct (31 banks and 8FIs) or indirect (29 banks and 13FIs) mode in the October to December quarter.
“Bangladesh Bank (BB) 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.
He said 56 banks have at least one online branch and 46 banks have introduced internet banking facility up to December, 2017 and SMS or mobile banking and internet banking facility has also been observed an increasing trend (18.76 percent to 19.92 percent) than the previous quarter.
He said the banks and FIs are now providing regular training to their staff on green banking.
BB data shows that 28 banks have arranged 356 training programmes concerning green banking where total number of participants was 6,424. On the other hand, four FIs have arranged 10 training programmes concerning green banking where total number of participants was 42. As per the central bank’s instruction, the official said banks and FIs have formed a “Climate Risk Fund” with allocating 10.0 percent of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) budget for this Fund.
BB established a lending scheme namely “Financing Brick Kiln Efficiency Improvement Project”, supported by Asian Development Bank (ADB) to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and refine particulate pollution from brick fields, he added.
He said, 35 banks and 21 FIs so far have signed participation agreement with Bangladesh Bank.
BB data shows that up to December in 2017, Bangladesh Bank has released total USD 16.21 million (Taka 125.95 crore) to five FIs against their financing for eight sub projects.
