1

Financial Inclusion Strategies

Session Description: This session will present the use of financial inclusion strategies by governments

and donors around the world. The session will highlight the trends, the key lessons from past

experiences, and the recommendations on how these strategies can support the industry. The session

will also discuss the recent experience in Jordan and the approach it has chosen to pursue in

consolidating a unified vision for the “whole of government” on financial inclusion.

Time and Date: 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM on Sunday, October 16, 2011

Moderator: The moderator for the session is Teymour Abdel Aziz, World Bank

Panelists:

Panelists Topic

Eric Duflos, CGAP

Present global experience with the use of financial inclusion

strategies. Discuss the “new generation” of strategies and how these

differ from the past. Discuss the difference between microfinance

versus “financial inclusion” strategies. Highlight the key issues for

governments and donors to consider when developing their

strategy.

Aida Atto, Ministry of

Planning, Iraq

Present the current state of financial inclusion and MSME

development strategies in Iraq. Highlight the key priorities for the

Iraqi government and present the Ministry’s vision for a future

national financial inclusion strategy.

Majdoulin

Abu‐Dalhoum,

Ministry of Planning

and International

Coordination,

Jordan

Present the recent experience in Jordan on developing a national

microfinance strategy. What was covered in the strategy and what

was not? Why was this chosen as the approach and what advice to

give to Iraq? Discuss the remaining challenges in Jordan and plans

for addressing them.

Suggested Readings:

National Microfinance Strategies (CGAP)

2

Wholesale (Apex) Funding to Support MSME Growth

Session Description: This session will present the result of a global study on the evolving role of apex

institutions to support MSMEs. The session will also present the experiences of Egypt (Social Fund for

Development) and Afghanistan (MISFA), both of which have large apex institutions that serve the

financial and technical assistance needs of the MSME sector.

Time and Date: 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM on Sunday, October 16, 2011

Moderator: The moderator for the session is Eric Duflos

Panelists:

Panelists Topic

Sarah Forster, CGAP

consultant

Present the results of a global study on microfinance apex

institutions commissioned by CGAP. Present the main findings as

well as key recommendations for any government / donor exploring

the creation of a new apex institution.

Mr. Abdul Hussein Al

Anbaki, Prime

Minister’s Office

Present the existing landscape of MSME wholesale funds in Iraq

(characteristics, performance, and sustainability) as well as the

government’s plans to set up a new, large MSME financing facility.

Nevine Al Bader, SFD

Present the experience that the Social Fund for Development in

Egypt has faced as the main body tasked to finance the MSME

sector in Egypt. Discuss plans for institution “renewal” in light of

the political changes in Egypt.

Dale Lampe, MISFA Present the experience of the Afghan wholesale fund MSFA, its

key features, and challenges it faces in a post conflict environment.

Suggested Readings:

Apexes: An Important Source of Local Funding (CGAP)

3

Enabling Environment for Microfinance

Session Description: This session will highlight the current legal and regulatory environment for

microfinance in Iraq. It will identify the key strengths and weaknesses of the existing legal and

regulatory framework and will identify the areas which still require Iraqi government attention. The

session will also share information from regional and global experiences on regulation and supervision

of microfinance.

Time and Date: 2:00 – 4:00 PM on Sunday, October 16, 2011

Moderator: The moderator for the session is Mayada El-Zoghbi, CGAP

Panelists:

Panelists Topic

Mr. Alaa Abbassi, CGAP Overview of existing legal and regulatory framework for

microfinance in Iraq. Examples of regulatory reform in

other MENA countries.

Mr. Muhamed Junaid, Tijara,

USAID

Historical overview of what has already been achieved in

Iraq with regard to the legal and regulatory reform.

Highlight key areas that still require attention.

Sameerah Al Kazrachi, Central

Bank

Highlight key concerns of the Central Bank regarding

regulation and supervision of this sector. Discuss

engagement with other government entities involved in the

NGO-MFI transformation process (NGO Directorate and

Companies Registrar).

Ibrahim Auraiby, CHF Update on process to register under new SME Ordinance.

Present experience with transformations in other countries

and highlight key issues of importance / recommendations

for Iraq.

Suggested Reading:

Guiding Principles for Regulation and Supervision of Microfinance (CGAP)

The Role of Governments in Microfinance (CGAP)

AML/CFT Strengthening Financial Inclusion and Integrity (CGAP)

Regulating Banking Agents (CGAP)

Transforming NGO MFIs (CGAP)

Consumer Protection Regulation (CGAP)

Islamic Microfinance: An Emerging Market Niche (CGAP)

4

Financial Inclusion and the Use of Technology

Session Description: This session will discuss branchless banking as a tool to enhance financial

inclusion. More specifically, the session will discuss the link between financial inclusion and the use of

technology as well as ways to create an enabling environment from the regulatory perspective to support

the implementation of mobile banking applications. Finally, the session will present the experience of

WING in Cambodia in setting up this new venture and lessons learned from the process.

Time and Date: 9:00 AM – 12:30 AM on Monday, October 17, 2011

Moderator: The moderator for the session is Xavier Reille, IFC

Panelists:

Panelists Topic

Alaa Abassi, CGAP

Present global experience in creating enabling regulatory

environment for the development and uptake of branchless banking

Margarete Biallas, IFC

and

Lee-Anne Pitcaithly,

WING Cambodia

Present the recent experience in setting up WING Cambodia and

lessons learned. The session will also discuss the link between

financial inclusion and the use of technology through the case of

WING.

Suggested Readings:

Realizing the Potential of Branchless Banking (CGAP)

Banking Through Networks of Retail Agents (CGAP)

Banking on Mobiles: Why, How and for Whom? (CGAP)

Innovative Retail Payments Definitions (IFC)

Mobile Financial Services Model – Business Case Analysis (IFC)

5

Effective Credit Reporting Frameworks

Session Description: Effective credit reporting systems ensure broader and fairer access to credit,

particularly for MSMEs, decrease information asymmetries between borrowers and lenders, create

“reputational collateral” that helps expand access to credit & lower costs for good borrowers, allow

lenders to more accurately evaluate risks, improve portfolio quality, & avoid over-indebtedness. In turn,

credit registries and bureaus provide significant economic benefits to the countries with economies in

transition. During this session, IFC experts will focus on explaining credit reporting mechanisms, share

global best practices in developing public credit registries and private credit bureaus globally and in the

MENA region.

Time and Date: 1:30-3:00 pm on Monday, October 17, 2011

Speaker: Mr. Hafid Oubrik, Arab Monetary Fund and Mr. Oscar Madeddu, IFC

Suggested Readings:

Credit Bureau Knowledge Guide (IFC, 2005)

Credit Reporting in MENA, World Bank Flagship Report (IFC, World Bank, 2010)

Arab Credit Reporting Initiative, http://acri-mena.org (Arab Monetary Fund/IFC Program)

6

Secured Transactions in Iraq- a Demonstration of the Collateral Registry

Session Description: Proper institutional and legal framework that promotes lending secured with

movable properties (secured transactions) can increase the availability of credit, reduce its cost, improve

financial system stability and expand the types of collateral lenders will accept as security. As the result,

developed secured transactions systems can increase availability of short and medium term-credit to

MSMEs. The session will focus on highlighting key areas of effective legislation on secured finance

transactions, sharing best practice examples from other markets that implemented secured lending

reforms effectively. Further, a demonstration of Collateral Registry using examples from other

jurisdictions will be made.

Time and Date: 3:15-4:30 PM on Monday, October 17, 2011

Speaker: Murat Sultanov, IFC

Suggested Readings:

The Legislative Guide on Secured Transactions (UNCITRAL 2007)

The Secured Transactions Systems and Collateral Registries Guide (IFC, 2010)

Publicity of Security Rights – Guiding Principles for Development of a Charges Registry (EBRD 2006)

Secured Transactions in MENA, World Bank Flagship Report (World Bank, IFC 2010)

Leasing for Financing the Purchase of Equipment

Session Description: Leasing is a medium-term financial instrument for the procurement of machinery,

equipment, vehicles and/or properties based on the proposition that profits are earned through the use of

assets, rather than from their ownership. Leasing focuses on the lessee’s ability to generate cash flow

from business operations to services lease payment, not on the balance sheet or on past credit history.

This is why leasing is particularly advantageous for new, small and medium-sized businesses that do not

have lengthy credit histories, nor significant assets for collateral. The session will focus on highlighting

the usefulness and relevance of leasing for MSMEs, demonstrating international best practices and

discussing the challenges of developing leasing markets in MENA region and in Iraq.

Time and Date: 4:30-5:15 PM on Monday, October 17, 2011

Speaker: Mr. Murat Sultanov, IFC

Suggested Readings:

Leasing Development - Guidelines for Emerging Economies (IFC 2005)

Leasing Development - Guidelines for Emerging Economies (IFC 2010)

Leasing in MENA, World Bank Flagship Report (World Bank, IFC 2010)