MICROFINANCE EVENT: BWTP, FDC, ADA, UNCDF, ADB to Co-host “Mekong Financial Inclusion Forum”, July 11-14, 2016, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Event Name: Mekong Financial Inclusion Forum

Event Dates: July 11-14, 2016

Event Location: Intercontinental Hotel, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Summary of Event: Attendees at this event will explore the challenges to achieving financial inclusion in the Greater Mekong sub-region. Topics will include the use of technology and other alternative delivery channels; the provision of client education and consumer protection; and coordinating action among the private sector, government, community and development partners. Among the government players to be engaged are Cambodia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Vietnam, Myanmar, Thailand, and China’s Yunnan Province and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. The event is an initiative of the Banking with the Poor Network (BWTP) and is be jointly organised by the Foundation for Development Cooperation (FDC) and ADA (Appui au Developpement Autonome) in partnership with the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) Shaping Inclusive Finance Transformation (SHIFT) programme and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The National Bank of Cambodia (NBC) will host the event.

Cost: The standard registration fee is USD 400. The rate for non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and members of the Cambodia Microfinance Association (CMA), the Vietnam Microfinance Working Group (VMFWG) and the Lao Microfinance Association (Lao MFA) is USD 300. The cost for members of BWTP is USD 200.

Background on Organizers

Banking with the Poor Network (BWTP)
The Banking with the Poor Network (BWTP) is an Asian microfinance network based in Singapore. An initiative of Australian Foundation for Development Cooperation, BWTP is an association of a “diverse range of microfinance stakeholders committed to improving the quality of life of the poor through promoting and facilitating their access to sustainable financial services.” As of April 2016, BWTP had approximately 100 members.

Foundation for Development Cooperation (FDC)
The Foundation for Development Cooperation (FDC) was founded in 1990 and is based in Brisbane, Australia, with additional offices in Singapore and Fiji. FDC conducts policy-oriented research and mobilizes Australian and international support for economic development efforts in Australia, Asia and the Pacific. Financial information for the organization has not been disclosed.

Appui au Developpement Autonome (ADA)
ADA (Appui au Développement Autonome) is a nonprofit organization based in Luxembourg. ADA supports inclusive finance professionals in an effort to help the approximately 2.5 billion adults outside of the conventional financial system to reach their goals. ADA’s activities include developing new financial products, assisting in the capacity building of microfinance institutions (MFIs) and improving information on and  awareness of microfinance activities. ADA focusses on youth financial inclusion, access to green energy, microinsurance and migrant savings. As of 2014, ADA reported total assets of EUR 3.7 million (USD 4.2 million). As of 2013, ADA had active projects in 23 countries and supported 150 MFIs serving approximately 5 million beneficiaries.

United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF)
The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) endeavors to create opportunities for poor people in developing countries and their small businesses by increasing access to microfinance and other forms of investment capital. UNCDF focuses on Africa and the poorest countries of Asia, with particular commitment to countries emerging from crisis. As of 2014, UNCDF reported total annual resources of USD 88.3 million. As of 2015, UNCDF has operations in 31 out of the world’s 48 least developed countries. In May 2014, UNCDF launched an initiative called Shaping Inclusive Finance Transformations (SHIFT). The UNCDF aims to use SHIFT to connect the poorest and most vulnerable, notably women and small businesses owned by, managed by or predominately serving women, to formal financial services in the South-East Asian countries of Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Vietnam. SHIFT is co-funded by UNCDF and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).

Asian Development Bank (ADB)
Established in 1966 and headquartered in Manila, the Philippines, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) is a development finance institution that consists of 67 member countries. ADB has three strategic priorities: to foster inclusive growth, to facilitate regional integration and to ensure environmentally sustainable growth. To accomplish these objectives, ADB uses loans, technical assistance programs, grants, equity investments and guarantees in member countries in the region. As of 2014, ADB reported total assets of USD 33.1 billion.

Event Website: http://bwtp.org/event/mekong_forum/

For additional information, you may email the BWTP network:
info[at]bwtp.org or telephone +61 7 3217 2924.

By Imke Herholdt, Research Associate

Additional Sources and Resources
[1] MicroCapital Universe Profile: The Banking with the Poor Network
(BWTP Network)
[2] MicroCapital Universe Profile: The Foundation for Development
Cooperation (FDC)
[3] MicroCapital Universe Profile: ADA
[4] MicroCapital Universe Profile: United Nations Capital Development
Fund (UNCDF)
[5] UNCDF SHIFTprogramme

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