DHAKA, Feb 15, 2026 (BSS) - Dhaka Stock Exchange PLC (DSE) and Impact Investment Exchange (IIX), a global pioneer in sustainable finance and impact investing, today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the DSE Board Room to collaborate on the introduction and promotion of Orange capital instruments in Bangladesh. 

DSE Managing Director Nuzhat Anwar and IIX Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Durreen Shahnaz signed the MoU on behalf of their respective organizations, said a press release. 

This partnership marks a significant step toward building an inclusive, gender-smart, and climate-aligned capital market ecosystem in the country.

The partnership brings together IIX’s global leadership in impact investing and gender-lens finance with DSE’s central role in the development of Bangladesh’s capital market. 

The Orange Movement is a global financial initiative launched in 2022 by IIX to integrate gender equality, climate action, and sustainable development into capital markets. It aims to mobilize US$10 billion by 2030 and empower 100 million women, girls, and gender minorities through Orange Bonds™, which are the first asset class to combine gender-lens investing with climate resilience.

Under the MoU, DSE will explore facilitating the listing of Orange Bonds and Sukuk under a dedicated thematic or sustainable finance category, subject to regulatory approvals. 

The collaboration will also focus on enhancing market readiness, raising awareness, and engaging with regulators to position Orange instruments as credible thematic debt securities within Bangladesh’s capital market.

“Capital markets play a vital role in channeling long-term finance toward national development priorities,” said Nuzhat Anwar, Managing Director of DSE. 

“Our collaboration with IIX reflects DSE’s commitment to deepening market, and supporting financial sustainable instruments that deliver measurable social and environmental outcomes alongside financial returns,” she added.

Professor Durreen Shahnaz, Founder and CEO of IIX, stated, “Bangladesh stands at a critical juncture in realigning its financial markets with the nation’s inclusive economic growth priorities. Dhaka Stock Exchange has been a pioneer in developing Bangladesh’s capital market ecosystem. We look forward to collaborating with DSE to jointly advance the Orange capital market, championing gender equality and climate action while strengthening trust, transparency, and credibility in Bangladesh’s financial system. By integrating global best practices and standards, the Orange Movement can help attract international investors to Bangladesh and establish stronger global financial linkages, with DSE serving as an anchor for the nation’s economic resurgence and sustainable development.”

The MoU further outlines plans for joint advocacy, market promotion, and capacity-building initiatives, including workshops, investor engagement programs, and policy dialogues with key stakeholders such as regulators, financial institutions, and development partners. All activities will be conducted in accordance with Bangladesh’s regulatory framework and subject to the oversight of the relevant authorities.

This partnership underscores a shared commitment by IIX and DSE to advancing sustainable finance innovation and positioning Bangladesh as a regional leader in inclusive and resilient capital market development. Debashish Roy, Director, Impact Investment Exchange; Arup Datta, Head of Corporate Advisory, BRAC EPL Investment Limited; Syed Rashed Hossain, CEO, BRAC EPL Investment Limited; Mohammad Asadur Rahman, FCS, COO, DSE; Dr. Md. Asifur Rahman, CTO, DSE; Md. Abid Hossain Khan, FCA, CFO, DSE; Mohammad Shafiqul Islam Bhuiyan, FCS, CRO (Acting), DSE; and Saied Mahmud Zubayer, DGM, Product and Market Development Department, DSE were also present at that time.

About Impact Investment Exchange (IIX) Since 2009, Impact Investment Exchange (IIX) has been a pioneer in the global impact investing movement, reshaping finance for sustainable development with a focus on gender equality and climate action through capital mobilization and data-driven solutions. From establishing the Impact Partners™ platform and creating the Women’s Livelihood Bond™ Series, to launching the Impact Institute™ and Research & Advisory, IIX operates across 60 countries, having mobilized nearly US$500 million in private capital, positively impacted over 185 million lives, avoided more than 1.9 million metric tons of carbon emissions, and collected over 90,000 data points on MSMEs globally.

Since 2009, Impact Investment Exchange (IIX) has been a pioneer in the global impact investing movement, reshaping finance for sustainable development with a focus on gender equality and climate action through capital mobilization and data-driven solutions. From establishing the Impact Partners™ platform and creating the Women’s Livelihood Bond™ Series, to launching the Impact Institute™ and Research & Advisory, IIX operates across 60 countries, having mobilized nearly US$500 million in private capital, positively impacted over 185 million lives, avoided more than 1.9 million metric tons of carbon emissions, and collected over 90,000 data points on MSMEs globally.

Dhaka Stock Exchange PLC. is the premier stock exchange of Bangladesh and a key institution in the country’s financial system. DSE plays a central role in capital mobilization, market development, and investor protection, supporting the growth of transparent, resilient, and innovative capital markets. DSE operates as a fully demutualized, modern securities exchange, committed to international standards of transparency, market integrity, and investor protection. DSE now operates from its state-of-the-art headquarters in Nikunja-2, Dhaka, serving as the cornerstone of Bangladesh’s capital market and a key platform for national economic growth.