Sat Mar 15 17:16:59 UTC 2025: **Standard Chartered Raises €1 Billion for Sustainable Development in Emerging Markets**
**New Delhi, March 15, 2025** – Standard Chartered Bank announced today the successful issuance of its first social bond, raising €1 billion (approximately ₹9,400 crore). The proceeds will be channeled towards sustainable development projects across the bank’s emerging market footprint, with a significant portion earmarked for India.
The 8-year bond will primarily support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), focusing on job creation and empowering women-owned businesses. Approximately 50% of the funds will be allocated to sustainable projects in India. Additional funding will support access to essential services such as healthcare and education, as well as investments in affordable infrastructure and food security, aligning with the bank’s Sustainability Bond Framework.
India accounts for the largest share (57%) of Standard Chartered’s social assets, followed by Malaysia (10%), Bangladesh (6%), Mainland China (5%), and Nepal (4%). The bank highlights the significant funding gap in emerging markets, estimating that $4.2 trillion in annual investment is needed to achieve sustainable development goals and foster resilient communities. This bond issuance represents a crucial step in mobilizing private sector capital to address this challenge and promote inclusive, long-term prosperity.
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