Microfinance Focus, Jan. 19, 2010: Representatives from Malaysia’s central bank, Bank Negara Malaysia, began their meeting on Monday with microfinance practitioners to discuss financial inclusion. The Financial Inclusion Advisers (FIA) Programme from 18 – 22 January 2010 in Kuala Lumpur is set to focus on developing human capital in the sector, said a statement by the bank.

In their opening remarks, Ms. Noriko Suzuki, Chief Representative of JICA Malaysia Office and Datuk Dr. Mihaela Smith, CEO of CPTM Ltd, emphasized on sharing ideas and experiences on developing human capital as well as institutional structures, creating and enabling environment and enhancing financial literacy.

The five-day programme provides a platform for microfinance practitioners in the region to share their experiences in enhancing financial inclusion with regulators and microfinance practitioners from Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. Discussions will focus on recent developments in microfinance in Africa, Malaysia, India and Indonesia, development of agriculture microfinance, microcredit practices and credit risk management.
While the current global economic slowdown posed a challenge to the financial inclusion agenda, Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz, Governor, Bank Negara Malaysia, reiterated Malaysia’s commitment in ensuring that all segments of society continue to have access to financial services. “The high level of financial inclusion in Malaysia is the result of conscious policies in building a sound, progressive and inclusive financial system that has supported the nation’s balanced growth,” he said.
The event was jointly organised by Bank Negara Malaysia and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).