Planning Minister M A Mannan said that the joint efforts by businesses, investors, and entrepreneurs with those of governments, non-profit organizations, philanthropists, and social enterprises needed to develop innovative approaches in socio-economic development.
Minister was addressing a webinar titled ‘Shaping a Resilient Economy Through Impact Investment’ jointly organized by Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) and Venture Capital & Private Equity Association of Bangladesh (VCPEAB) on Wednesday. Professor Shibli Rubayat-Ul-Islam, Chairman, BSEC attended the webinar as special guest while keynote presentation was delivered by Shameem Ahsan, President of Venture Capital & Private Equity Association of Bangladesh (VCPEAB) and the moderator of the session was Shawkat Hossain, Director, General Secretary, VCPEAB.
The webinar was held as part of the World Investor Week 2021 which is a week-long, global campaign promoted by International Organization of Securities Commission (IOSCO).
Prof. Shibli Rubayat-Ul-Islam, Chairman, BSEC said, “Bangladesh economy is considered to be one of the most resilient economies in the world. Impact investment is essential as it adds immense value to the society and generates a measurable social and environmental impact alongside a financial return..”
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Shameem Ahsan, President of VCPEAB said, “In next 15 years, majority organizations in the world will initiate impact-driven businesses and the majority of the world population will consume products and services from impact-driven companies. ”
Prof. Dr. Shaikh Shamsuddin Ahmed, BSEC Commissioner, BSEC said, “If we want to reach a sustainable dimension, we need additional $20 trillion investment fund within 20 years to meet the global impact investment requirement.”
Prof. Dr. Md. Mizanur Rahman, BSEC Commissioner, BSEC said, “Bangladesh has been one of the fastest growing economy in the world. Our economy extended more than five times since 1991.”
Dr. Fahmida Khatun, Executive Director, Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) said, “Global warming is a problem which cannot be ignored anymore. Every country should come forward to reduce the effects of global warming.”
Dr. Md. Hamid Ullah Bhuiyan, Chairman, Financial Reporting Council Bangladesh said, “Impact investing has observed an enormous growth over the past decade. Given Bangladesh’s demographics, its progression towards a more middle-income country, it is now certainly well placed for impact investing.”
Nurun Nahar, Executive Director, Bangladesh Bank said, “Global investors are now measuring risk, return, as well as impact. Therefore, it has now become a global and standard practice to prepare impact-weighted statements alongside financial statements which reflects a business's positive and negative impacts on the environment and overall society.”
Mohammed Shafiul Azam, Executive Director, BSEC, Zia U Ahmed, Vice President, VCPEAB, Asif Mahmood, Managing Partner, SEAF Bangladesh Ventures; A Hafiz, Chairman, Maslin Capital Ltd.; KH Asadul Islam, Managing Director, Alliance Capital Asset Management Ltd.; Jahir Ahmed, Managing Director, Bangladesh Venture Capital Ltd. were also present among others.
