COVID-19 is Changing Financial Inclusion: Can Policymakers Keep Up?
The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the importance of ensuring that the poorest and most vulnerable people have access to formal financial services, given their role in supporting inclusive economic recovery and resilience.
Bold Reforms Can Unleash the Power of Microfinance in Viet Nam
For microfinance institutions in Viet Nam to flourish and grow their client base, regulatory changes are needed, beginning with their ownership.
Kazakhstan Goes Local When it Comes to Project Finance
Kazakhstan is becoming a leader among developing countries in the use of local currency finance.
Protect The Poor When Fighting Money Laundering in the Pacific
The risk of “de-risking” – the process of international banks disassociating from financial partners, such as small remittance providers and local banks – is that it could push people out of the financial system completely.
Bringing Institutional Investors into the Race to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals
Contractual savings institutions, such as mutual funds, pensions, and insurance companies, can drive investments that offer financial returns while creating social and environmental impact.
Helping Viet Nam’s Small Businesses and Female Entrepreneurs Endure
Small businesses are the backbone of the Vietnamese economy. The government should take decisive action to help them, particularly those owned by women.
Asia Vast Savings Can Bring on an “Age of Sustainability”
Insurance companies, pension funds, and other institutional investors in Asia and the Pacific can pave the way to a resilient and sustainable future.
Small Businesses Can Help Drive a Green Recovery from the Pandemic
Small and medium-sized enterprises make up more than 96% of all Asian businesses. Their survival and resilience is essential for a green recovery.
Many Thought the Pandemic Would Imperil Microfinance. It Did the Opposite.
Despite being a “high-touch” business, microfinance institutions found ways to connect with their clients during the pandemic, with backing from governments and the private sector
Linking Asia’s Financial Markets Will Help the Region Respond to the Next Crisis
Just as past crises triggered international and regional financial cooperation, the pandemic offers an opportunity to collectively improve financial resilience and soundness.