IPDC bags most sustainable financial institution-NBFI award and brand champion in equity, diversity and inclusion

IPDC Finance PLC has been recognised with two honours at the SDG Brand Champion Awards 2025, presented by AkijBashir Group and organised by the Bangladesh Brand Forum. The awards acknowledge organisations making impactful contributions towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through innovative and inclusive strategies.

IPDC was named Most Sustainable Financial Institution of the Year – NBFI for its SDG-aligned strategy titled Finance for the Planet and People: IPDC's Holistic SDG Driven Strategy. This initiative incorporates green lending, climate risk management, and inclusive finance into the company's operations. In 2024, the institution disbursed Tk38,552 million in sustainable and SDG-linked loans—accounting for 77.75% of total disbursements and 42.06% of all term loans—exceeding the regulatory minimum set by Bangladesh Bank.

The institution's sustainable portfolio includes investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency, waste management, ICT infrastructure, women-led enterprises, and green buildings. Products such as Joyee and Priti for women entrepreneurs, and the dedicated Joyee 360 branches, are part of IPDC's efforts to strengthen gender equity and financial inclusion.

IPDC also received the SDG Brand Champion Award in the category of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion for its project Women-focused Climate Resilient Sustainable Agriculture for the Vulnerable Communities. Launched in October 2024 in partnership with ActionAid International Bangladesh, the project supports 100 marginalised women farmers in the Mogholhat and Kulaghat unions of Lalmonirhat Sadar Upazila. The initiative provides access to land, climate-resilient agricultural inputs, eco-friendly farming tools, training in organic farming and vermicomposting, as well as support in establishing a women-led market corner and seed bank.

The project addresses multiple SDGs, including SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 13 (Climate Action), integrating climate resilience with women's economic empowerment and local development.

Commenting on the recognition, Rizwan Dawood Shams, Managing Director of IPDC Finance PLC, stated, "These awards reflect our commitment to ensuring that finance drives inclusion, empowerment, and environmental responsibility. Our approach is grounded in the belief that development must be both sustainable and equitable."

IPDC's initiatives underscore the potential for private sector leadership in advancing national progress on the SDGs. With these recognitions, the company reaffirms its position as a key contributor to sustainable finance in Bangladesh.