IFC and Dhaka Stock Exchange Empower Bangladeshi Companies with Sustainability Disclosure Training
Dhaka, Bangladesh, 21 November 2024. Building a sustainable future for Bangladesh begins with stronger business practices and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) integration. To support this effort, IFC—International Finance Corporation—recently partnered with the Dhaka Stock Exchange PLC to host a workshop aimed at enhancing ESG standards among publicly listed companies. This initiative was supported by the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs of Switzerland SECO.
The workshop focused on training companies to align with IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards, a globally recognized framework for sustainability and climate reporting. The training emphasized the importance of transparent and robust ESG disclosures in driving sustainable development and fostering investor confidence.
Key Impacts:
- Boosting Transparency: Aligning with IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards enables companies to effectively communicate their environmental and social impact.
- Building Investor Trust: ESG-focused disclosures increase investor confidence in a company’s resilience and growth potential.
- Strengthening Resilience: By elevating ESG practices, Bangladesh’s private sector is better positioned to support long-term sustainable development.
This initiative underscores IFC’s commitment to fostering sustainable growth in Bangladesh by empowering businesses to embrace ESG practices and align with global standards. The collaboration highlights the critical role of transparent reporting and resilient business strategies in advancing sustainable development goals.
Last year, IFC provided technical assistance to Bangladesh Central Bank in development of sustainability and climate-related financial disclosure guidelines based on IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards. Released in December 2023, these guidelines position Bangladesh as one of the first few economies to undertake such a comprehensive approach. Early in 2024, IFC delivered training-of-trainers on sustainability and climate disclosure to Bangladesh Bank ahead of the official country-level launch of the guidelines.