ADBI-AFDC-ABAC International Seminar on Financial Inclusion for Central Asia, the Caucasus, and South Asia

Purpose

The purpose of the seminar is to have a policy dialogue among government officials, microfinance practitioners, researchers, and representatives of relevant business and civil sectors from Central Asia, the Caucasus, and South Asia on the challenges of improving financial inclusion in the region.

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Background

Despite developing Asia's impressive record of economic development and poverty reduction, it is estimated that over half of the region's households do not have access to the formal financial system. And the evidence suggests that "financial inclusion" may have deteriorated since the onset of the Global Financial Crisis, as financial markets have tightened.

Financial inclusion can be a very important tool in poverty reduction efforts. In recent decades, microfinance institutions (MFIs) have had tremendous success in serving the poor. MFIs throughout Asia have developed creative methodologies and services to meet specific cultural, demographic and geographic conditions of each region.

This seminar will deal with the following issues: (i) current state of financial inclusion in developing Asia; (ii) rural finance in PR China; (iii) key regulatory issues in promoting financial inclusion; (iv) evolution of microfinance institutions towards self-sustainability through innovation and service diversification; and (v) Islamic microfinance.

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Outputs

1. Beitter understanding of how to improve financial inclusion.
2. Policy recommendations for financial inclusion.
3. Closer cooperation among key stakeholders handling this issue

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Participants

Governments from each of the following countries will be invited to nominate one participant who could provide a regulatory perspective and one who could provide a development policy perspective on financial inclusion issues: Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Georgia, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

Asia-Pacific Financial Development Center (AFDC) will invite a range of relevant Chinese representatives.

APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) will invite relevant representatives from business and civil society sectors involved in financial inclusion.

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How to Apply

By invitation only.

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Language

English, Russian, and Chinese

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Responsibilities

To make a country presentation.

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Partners

Asia-Pacific Financial Development Center (AFDC)
APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC)