The Asian Development Bank will help Sri Lanka sell ‘thematic’ debt securities, taking one step beyond the initial green bonds that have already been sold by some, Takeo Konishi, Director General, South Asia Department, Asian Development Bank said.
Thematic bonds, sustainability linked bonds, can be sold by governments and private companies.“A robust sustainable financing ecosystem with internationally accepted regulation and governance structure, Sri Lanka would be able to attract global investors, including social impact investors,” Konishi told a forum on green bonds in Colombo.
“These investors would look for innovative financing structures like thematic and green bonds, with projects identified to strengthen economic resilience in the country, which would create employment and empower youth and women.
“The overarching objective of ADB is to focus on economic growth, job creation, technological innovation, and private sector development.”The ADB supported the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka in the implementation of green bond regulations, he said.
