Kuala Lumpur: 30 July 2026 – Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Berhad (“BPMB”) Group today reaffirmed its commitment to advancing Malaysia’s climate transition with the launch of the second cohort of the Climate Finance Innovation Lab (“CFIL”), an industry-led platform administered by BPMB under the Joint Committee on Climate Change (“JC3”), co-chaired by Bank Negara Malaysia (“BNM”) and the Securities Commission Malaysia (“SC”). Zakiah Mat Esa, Chief Sustainability Officer of BPMB Group, said, “CFIL reflects BPMB’s commitment to strengthening Malaysia’s climate finance ecosystem by supporting the development of investment-ready climate and nature-positive projects through strategic collaboration. Beyond financing, the platform brings together regulators, financial institutions, investors and ecosystem partners to strengthen project readiness, facilitate investment mobilisation and accelerate the implementation of high-impact climate initiatives. Building on the strong momentum of the inaugural cohort, we look forward to further expanding the ecosystem and supporting projects that deliver meaningful developmental and environmental outcomes for Malaysia.”
Since being entrusted as programme administrator in June 2025, BPMB has successfully assisted in the establishment of CFIL as a national platform that convenes regulators, financial institutions, investors, project developers and ecosystem partners to accelerate the development of investment-ready climate and nature-positive projects. Within its first year, CFIL has laid a strong foundation for Malaysia’s climate finance ecosystem by strengthening project development, ecosystem coordination and investment mobilisation.
Building on the Success of the Inaugural Cohort
The inaugural cohort demonstrated the effectiveness of this collaborative approach. CFIL successfully onboarded 23 climate-related projects with a combined investment requirement of approximately USD850 million (RM3.47 billion), of which 15 projects participated in the CFIL Accelerator Programme. One project subsequently secured international grant funding, while three projects were selected to showcase their progress at Sasana Symposium 2026.
To further strengthen project readiness and bankability, BPMB delivered the CFIL Accelerator Programme in collaboration with the Centre for Entrepreneur Development and Research (“CEDAR”) and the United Nations Development Programme (“UNDP”). Through structured capacity building, expert mentoring and investor engagement, the programme enhanced participants’ commercial readiness while strengthening connections between project owners, financiers and strategic ecosystem partners.
Expanding Collaboration to Accelerate Sustainable Finance
Beyond project development, CFIL has strengthened collaboration across Malaysia’s sustainable finance ecosystem by facilitating engagements between financial institutions, investors, government agencies and development partners, while creating new pathways for innovative financing solutions supporting high-impact climate and nature-positive initiatives. Building on the momentum of the inaugural cohort, CFIL Cohort 2 incorporates enhanced eligibility criteria, a more structured selection process and stronger ecosystem collaboration to further strengthen project quality and investment readiness. Following a rigorous assessment process, 22 projects have been selected to participate in the programme, comprising eleven projects in Energy Transition and Green Innovation, seven in Circular Economy and Sustainable Cities, two in Sustainable Agriculture, and two in Nature-based Solutions and Biodiversity with a combined investment requirement of approximately USD423 million (RM1.73 billion).
Advancing the Next Phase of Climate Finance
As the platform continues to evolve, CFIL will deepen collaboration with private equity firms, venture capital investors, philanthropic organisations, development finance institutions and international grant providers to broaden financing opportunities for participating projects. Cohort 2 aims to facilitate successful fundraising for at least two projects, reinforcing CFIL’s role in transforming innovative climate solutions into investment-ready opportunities.
The second CFIL Accelerator Programme will be delivered in partnership with the UN Global Compact Network Malaysia, Brunei & Cambodia (“UNGCMBC”) as Strategic Partner, providing participants with structured capacity building, expert mentoring and investor engagement ahead of the JC3 Conference in September 2026. Through CFIL, BPMB continues to strengthen Malaysia’s climate finance ecosystem by fostering strategic partnerships, enhancing project bankability and mobilising greater public and private capital towards initiatives that support the nation’s climate transition and long-term sustainable development.
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About Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Berhad (“BPMB”)
Incorporated on 28 November 1973, BPMB is a development financial institution wholly owned by the Minister of Finance (Incorporated). Operating under the regulatory oversight of Bank Negara Malaysia as stipulated by the Development Financial Institutions Act 2002, BPMB holds the highest long-term credit rating of ‘AAA’ from both RAM Rating Services Berhad and Malaysia Rating Corporation Berhad.
Effective 1 May 2025, EXIM Bank and SME Bank became subsidiaries of BPMB. BPMB Group is well-positioned to provide catalytic funding and capacity-building support to Malaysian businesses and facilitate their international expansion in line with the national development agenda.
For more information, visit: www.bpmb.com.my | www.smebank.com.my | www.exim.com.my
About the Climate Finance Innovation Lab
The Climate Finance Innovation Lab (“CFIL”) is an initiative by the Joint Committee on Climate Change (JC3). It serves as a collaborative platform to ideate, develop and accelerate innovative climate finance solutions and mechanisms that can mobilise private and public finance to support Malaysia’s transition to net zero, strengthen climate resilience and advance nature-positive actions.