The inaugural Mekong Financial Inclusion Forum was a major new industry initiative that explored and discussed the differences, similarities and opportunities for achieving financial inclusion within this unique region.

The 1st Mekong Financial Inclusion Forum was 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 was hosted by the National Bank of Cambodia (NBC).

The Forum took place in Phnom Penh, Cambodia from 11-14 July 2016 with the aim of strengthening 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 addressed 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.

The Mekong Financial Inclusion Forum was a leading regional event, with 320 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 attending.

An overview of the Forum and summary of each session can be downloaded: