New Delhi, March 15 -- Standard Chartered has raised 1 billion euro (about Rs.9,400 crore) through issuance of the first social bond which will support sustainable development projects across the bank's emerging market footprint, including India.

The 8-year bond will primarily facilitate lending to small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), ensuring access to finance, helping create jobs and empowering and nurturing women-owned SMEs, StanChart said in a statement on Friday.

Of the total, about 50 per cent would be allocated for India for sustainable projects.

Proceeds will also finance access to essential services including healthcare and education, and will facilitate investment into affordable basic infrastructure and food security, ...