The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and the New Development Bank (NDB) will lend a combined $75 million to City Bank PLC, a leading private commercial bank in Bangladesh, to boost sustainable infrastructure investments in the country, AIIB announced. Initiated and structured by AIIB, which is lending $50 million, alongside NDB’s parallel $25 million, the financing will help City Bank tackle critical infrastructure development challenges. It is expected to drive sustainable investments across renewable energy, energy efficiency, e-mobility and digital infrastructure, while providing longer-tenor funding for large-scale and resilient infrastructure development.
The financing package will provide mid- to long-term funding for private-sector projects, with a focus on renewable energy, energy efficiency, e-mobility and digital infrastructure. The agreement was signed by Gregory Liu, Director General of the Financial Institutions and Funds Clients, Global, AIIB; Roman Serov, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of NDB; and Mashrur Arefin, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of City Bank. This marks the first on-lending facility by AIIB and NDB to a private bank in Bangladesh.
“We are proud to contribute to Bangladesh’s sustainable development through this cornerstone partnership with City Bank,” Liu said. “Our financing not only expands support for renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure but also exemplifies AIIB’s commitment to building strategic partnerships with leading financial institutions, including mobilizing co-financiers such as NDB, fostering financial innovation and catalyzing private sector capital in Bangladesh.”
The initiative aims to strengthen the private sector’s capacity to finance sustainable infrastructure and mobilize longer-term private capital across key sectors.
“We are pleased to join hands with AIIB and City Bank in advancing Bangladesh’s sustainable infrastructure agenda,” Serov said. “This financing reflects NDB’s commitment to supporting our members in achieving their development goals through innovative partnerships and impactful investments. Together, we aim to catalyze private sector participation, foster green and resilient growth and contribute to Bangladesh’s long-term prosperity.”
This investment reinforces AIIB’s and NDB’s ongoing efforts to build resilient and sustainable infrastructure ecosystems across their members through partnerships with the private sector.
“This partnership with AIIB and NDB not only marks a breakthrough for City Bank but also demonstrates the confidence of global development partners in the capacity of Bangladesh’s private sector to drive sustainable growth,” Arefin said.
AIIB also arranged a $500,000 grant from the Multilateral Cooperation Center for Development Finance to help strengthen City Bank’s environmental and social management systems, supporting its infrastructure financing capabilities and promoting international best practices.
