Deutsche Bank has committed US$50 million to the Mekong Earth Regeneration Fund (MERF), a newly launched private equity climate initiative in Southeast Asia backed by the Green Climate Fund (GCF). Operating in target markets such as Vietnam and Laos, the fund focuses on investing in agribusinesses and value-chain enterprises that collaborate directly with smallholder farmers to advance sustainable, resilient agricultural and food systems across the Lower Mekong region. While Mekong Capital will serve as the fund manager responsible for deploying the investment capital, Deutsche Bank will provide programmatic oversight and supervise fund implementation to ensure all capital distribution complies strictly with GCF guidelines, including international environmental and social standards.
Through its strategic allocations, MERF is projected to mitigate roughly 8 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions and deliver direct support to an estimated 300,000 individuals. Furthermore, the sustainable agriculture fund is anticipated to mobilize additional private sector investment, targeting a co-investment leverage ratio of 3:1.
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