MICROFINANCE EVENT: Global SME Finance Forum: The Convergence of the Real and Financial Sectors in SME Finance; October 7 - 9, 2019; Amsterdam, the Netherlands

The Global SME Finance Forum offers opportunities to learn about how the “real sector,” including technology companies and consumer product distributors, have been participating in the financing of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The forum will also cover how traditional financial institutions are responding to this increased competition within SME finance, which the organizers deem vital to the “economic and social development of emerging markets.”

Background on Organizers: The International Finance Corporation (IFC) offers loans, equity investments, advisory services and technical assistance to private companies with the intent of alleviating poverty and promoting open and competitive markets in developing countries. As of 2018, IFC reports total assets of USD 94.2 billion.

The World Bank Group is a multilateral organization whose goal is “to end extreme poverty and promote shared prosperity in a sustainable way.” As of 2018, it has 189 member nations. The group encompasses: (1) the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the International Development Association, which make up the World Bank; (2) IFC; (3) the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency; and (4) the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes. During the 12 months ending June 2018, the World Bank Group disbursed funds totaling USD 46 billion.

The Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion (GPFI) is intended to carry forward work on financial inclusion, including implementation of the Financial Inclusion Action Plan endorsed at the G20 Summit in South Korea in 2010. GPFI implementing partners include Malaysia-based NGO Alliance for Financial Inclusion, US-based NGO CGAP (Consultative Group to Assist the Poor) and the World Bank. The G20 is a group of 19 countries with large economies and the EU.

Cost and Registration: For non-members, the admission fee is USD 1,200 until May 31, USD 1,600 until July 31 and USD 2,000 thereafter. There is no fee for World Bank staff, members of the SME Finance Forum (SMEFF) or participants in GPFI. Additional information on registration can be found here.

Event website: https://globalsmefinanceforum.org/2019/

For additional details, you may contact IFC at +1 202 473 1000. For information on sponsorship opportunities, you may contact Hourn Thy at that phone number or hthy[at]ifc.org.

By Natasha Nath, Research Associate

Sources and Additional Resources

Conference web page
https://globalsmefinanceforum.org/2019/

Registration information
https://www.cvent.com/events/global-sme-finance-forum-2019/event-summary-db213942a9b146119193d2c4172bc581.aspx

SMEFF home page
http://www.smefinanceforum.org

SMEFF members
http://www.smefinanceforum.org/members/member-list#!list

History of IFC
https://www.ifc.org/wps/wcm/connect/corp_ext_content/ifc_external_corporate_site/about+ifc_new/ifc+history/50s+and+60s

Overview of IFC
https://www.ifc.org/wps/wcm/connect/corp_ext_content/ifc_external_corporate_site/about+ifc_new

IFC profile on SME finance
https://www.ifc.org/wps/wcm/connect/Industry_EXT_Content/IFC_External_Corporate_Site/Financial+Institutions/Priorities/SME+Finance/

Overview of GPFI
https://www.gpfi.org/about-gpfi

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