Mekong Financial Inclusion Forum

The inaugural Mekong Financial Inclusion Forum is a major new industry initiative to explore and discuss the differences, similarities and opportunities for achieving financial inclusion within this unique region.

The 1st Mekong Financial Inclusion Forum is an initiative of the Banking with the Poor Network (BWTP) and organized by the Foundation for Development Cooperation (FDC) and Appui au Développement Autonome (ADA), in partnership with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the United Nations Capital Development Fund’s SHIFT programme, which receives donor support from Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The Forum is being hosted by the National Bank of Cambodia (NBC).

The Forum will take place in Phnom Penh, Cambodia from 11-14 July 2016 and aims to strengthen the level of cooperation and knowledge exchange between countries and institutions to progress financial inclusion within the Greater Mekong Subregion, namely: Cambodia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Vietnam, Myanmar, Thailand, and People’s Republic of China (specifically Yunnan Province and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region).

The Forum will address the region’s priority issues, including the role of national development strategies, best practice regulation and supervision, the use of technology and alternative delivery channels, the provision of client education and consumer protection, developing infrastructure that will enable financing for micro, small and medium enterprise and creating and promoting coordinated action and partnerships between the private sector, government, the community and development partners.

Stakeholders, including private financial services providers, microfinance institutions and NGOs have been actively developing new business models, technology solutions and delivery channels with the aim of reducing poverty and enabling inclusive growth. Governments are also playing a key role and have been developing national financial inclusion strategies and trialing new policy and regulation initiatives. The Mekong Financial Inclusion Forum is an ideal opportunity to share ideas and solutions to build a stronger regional economy.” says BWTP Network Chairman Chandula Abeywickrema.

The Mekong Financial Inclusion Forum will be the region’s leading event, with approximately 300 delegates representing microfinance institutions, government agencies, credit unions, community-based institutions, commercial banks, mobile network operators, central banks and regulators, development banks, insurance companies, educational and research institutions, donor groups, NGOs, financial hardware and software providers, consultants and professional service firms expected to attend.

Location: Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Dates: July 11, 2016 - July 14, 2016