Chittagong Independent University (CIU), through its CIU Business School (CIUBS), hosted a hybrid seminar titled “Accessibility to ESG Financing Incentives for Malaysian SMEs: Barriers and Solutions” on Thursday, 29 October 2026. The seminar explored the challenges faced by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in accessing Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) financing incentives and examined potential approaches to making sustainable finance more accessible to businesses. The session featured Dr. Tengku Adeline Adura Tengku Hamzah, Executive Director of the Quality Management and Enhancement Department (QMED) and Associate Professor in the Department of Geography, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Universiti Malaya, Malaysia. Drawing on her academic and professional expertise, Dr. Adeline discussed the barriers and opportunities surrounding ESG financing for Malaysian SMEs, highlighting the importance of sustainable business practices and the role of financial incentives in supporting the transition towards more responsible and resilient business operations. The discussion was particularly relevant to Bangladesh, where sustainable finance and environmental and social risk management are gaining importance in the financial sector. The insights shared during the seminar offered an opportunity to reflect on how lessons from Malaysia could inform efforts to strengthen ESG awareness, improve SME readiness and expand access to sustainable financing in Bangladesh. Professor Dr. Emon Kalyan Chowdhury, Dean of CIU Business School, delivered the opening remarks, while Professor Dr. M. M. Nurul Absar, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor of CIU, chaired the session. The seminar brought an international perspective to the discussion on sustainable finance and underscored the value of academic exchange in addressing emerging business and development challenges. The seminar was attended by the faculty members and the students of CIU Business School. The initiative reflects CIU’s continued commitment to international academic engagement, knowledge exchange and stronger connections between academia and industry. By facilitating discussions on contemporary global business issues, CIU seeks to contribute to a deeper understanding of sustainable development and the evolving needs of businesses in Bangladesh and beyond.