InfraZamin Pakistan Hosts Seminar on Green Financing and Bonds in Collaboration with SBP, PBA, and PIDG
Islamabad, Pakistan – In a key step toward fostering sustainable finance, InfraZamin Pakistan, Pakistan’s leading credit enhancement guarantor, held a high-profile seminar in collaboration with the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), Pakistan Banks’ Association (PBA), and the Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG). Titled “Enabling Green Financing and Green Bonds via Credit Enhancement Solutions,” the event took place at a local hotel, bringing together influential leaders from the financial sector to discuss the potential of green financing and green bonds as catalysts for sustainable economic growth.
The seminar gathered prominent figures, including Jameel Ahmed, Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan, Muneer Kamal, CEO of the Pakistan Banks’ Association, Maheen Rahman, CEO of InfraZamin Pakistan, and Philip Skinner, Head of MENA and Pakistan at GuarantCo and Origination Lead for Nature at PIDG. They were joined by senior representatives from the Ministry of Finance, CEOs, and investment heads of leading commercial banks across Pakistan.
Governor SBP Highlights Climate Resilience Efforts
In his address, Jameel Ahmed, Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan, emphasized SBP’s commitment to creating a supportive environment for green finance. He stated, “The SBP is leading from the front to provide a conducive environment to the financial industry and businesses to achieve the common objective of achieving climate resilience.” He noted that SBP has rolled out direct measures, such as renewable energy refinancing schemes, which have disbursed PKR 94.7 billion by June 2024, supporting over 4,500 renewable energy projects with a cumulative generation capacity of nearly 2,061 MW.
Additionally, Ahmed highlighted SBP’s indirect measures to build the capacity of financial institutions in green financing. He underscored the importance of the SBP’s Guidelines on Green Banking, aimed at helping regulated entities identify and manage environmental risks. He also mentioned the ongoing development of a Green Taxonomy with the World Bank to create a standardized framework for categorizing green and transitional activities.
InfraZamin’s Commitment to Unlocking Private Sector Green Financing
Maheen Rahman, CEO of InfraZamin Pakistan, emphasized the importance of private sector involvement in green finance, stating, “For Pakistan to unlock the full potential of green financing, it is vital that we bring the private sector on board alongside government and regulatory bodies.” She highlighted InfraZamin’s mission to bridge financing gaps through credit enhancement solutions that mitigate investment risks, facilitating private sector support for green bonds and other sustainable projects.
PBA and Multistakeholder Partnerships Drive Green Finance
Muneer Kamal, CEO of the Pakistan Banks’ Association, underscored the industry’s responsibility to embrace sustainable finance, especially for a climate-vulnerable country like Pakistan. “Sustainable finance is not merely an option—it’s a responsibility we, as an industry, must embrace,” Kamal stated. He reiterated PBA’s commitment to supporting green financing solutions and multistakeholder partnerships that drive investments towards a low-carbon economy.
Building a Framework for Green Financing
The discussions emphasized the need for structured frameworks, such as SBP’s Green Banking Guidelines and the developing Green Taxonomy, to drive sustainable finance. Speakers explored ways to incentivize green financing, reduce costs, and de-risk green projects to encourage private sector participation. They discussed the role of capacity-building to support the growth of green finance and enable the private sector to navigate the evolving landscape of sustainable investment.
PIDG and InfraZamin Propose Practical Solutions
The event also featured practical recommendations to support issuers in adopting green financing solutions. PIDG proposed grants to help issuers cover the costs of global certifications for green projects. InfraZamin stressed the potential of credit enhancement tools to reduce balance sheet pressures on issuers and lower investment risk for investors.
Philip Skinner, Head of MENA and Pakistan at GuarantCo, noted the private sector’s potential in advancing certified green, social, and sustainability bonds. “GuarantCo and the PIDG have supported the first corporate green bond issuances in Bangladesh, Vietnam, Cambodia, Kenya, and Zambia, and have seen firsthand that the barriers to entry are much lower than perceived,” he remarked, highlighting the societal benefits as countries respond to the climate crisis.
A Milestone in Green Financing and Sustainability Initiatives
This seminar marked a significant milestone for InfraZamin Pakistan and its partners in promoting green finance and environmental sustainability in Pakistan’s financial sector. By focusing on credit enhancement solutions, InfraZamin and its collaborators aim to reduce financial risks, attract private investment, and support Pakistan’s transition toward a sustainable, low-carbon economy.
