Remittances and Financial
Inclusion
Remittances are an important contribution to economic growth and
development. These international payment transfers play a crucial role
in the wider debate on access to finance (or the lack thereof) for both
migrants and their relatives and communities in their home countries.
Recognizing the high volume and potential impact of these flows, the G8,
national governments, regulatory bodies, financial institutions and the
civil society have expressed their interest and commitment to facilitate
these transfers across the world.
In order to maximize the benefits arising from remittances, private and
public initiatives need to be better aligned. Sometimes measures taken
are widening the gap between public and private interests rather than
bringing them closer together. In order for remittances to contribute
effectively to economic development, private and public forces need to
converge.Conference
objectives
The conference’s main objective is to shape a global policy and business
perspective where remittances turn into effective tools for worldwide
development. The conference aims at closing the private-public gap by
exchanging views and best practices, and debate the current policy
issues affecting the business. It builds on a wide range of national and
regional experiences in facilitating remittance transfers and developing
related financial services. Different sessions will focus on both the
policy and business perspectives and take into account all relevant
actors, i.e. customers (senders and receivers), financial institutions,
regulators and technology providers.
Who should attend?
This event applies to major
stakeholders in the provision of international money transfers:
policymakers, financial sector officials, private sector providers and
customer representatives.
Why should you attend?
This meeting will focus on the objective of facilitating international
money transfers and leveraging their positive impact on recipient
countries’ economies. It will present trends in the international and
European remittances market, in particular best practices in remittances,
regulation and banking worldwide. It will conclude with recommendations
for both the private and public sector as to how to maximize the
potential of the international remittances market.
About MIF (The
Multilateral Investment Fund)
MIF, established in 1993, has
become a key mechanism of the Inter-American Bank Group in promoting
inclusive economic growth in Latin America and the Caribbean. Equipped
with $1.2 billion, and a mandate to support innovative private sector
development, MIF’s goal is to develop broadly based growth and improve
economic prospects for those less equipped to benefit from market
reforms. Together, MIF and its partners have directed over $1.6 billion
in technical assistance and investment projects to develop the private
sector throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.
www.iadb.org/mif
About WSBI (The World
Savings Banks Institute)
WSBI is one of the largest and
oldest international banking associations and the only global
representative of savings and retail banks. Founded in 1924, it
represents more than 1,100 financial intermediaries from 85 countries,
including all ESBG (European Savings Banks Group) members. At the start
of 2003, assets of member banks amounted to €7,600 billion, non-bank
deposits amounted to €4,750 billion and non-bank loans to just over
€4,000 billion. WSBI member banks operate circa 200,000 branches and
employ close to 2.3 million people.
WSBI-ESBG members are typically savings and retail banks with a
customer-oriented, socially responsible approach and a market focus of
individuals, households, SMEs and local authorities.
www.savings-banks.com |
