Financial technology (fintech) development could significantly increase access to financial services in Asia and the Pacific, but also poses risks to consumers, especially among disadvantaged groups. A greater understanding of the relationship between fintech, financial literacy, and financial inclusion is needed to design effective policies to promote these imperatives for inclusive and sustainable growth in emerging economies.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) recovering from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic could further contribute to growth and employment in the region. However, SMEs continue to encounter difficulties obtaining adequate finance due to information asymmetry and inadequate collateral and lag larger firms in terms of productivity, technology, and skills, which must be addressed to promote more robust post-pandemic economies.

Decarbonization policies are urgently required to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and achieve climate change mitigation targets meanwhile threaten to conflict with other Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Identifying policies that can promote green growth and avoid undermining other sustainable development priorities is critical.

The ADBI special sessions during the 9th Jiaotong Xi’an-Liverpool University Seminar on Asia and Pacific Economies spotlighted new, evidence-based policy research on advancing fintech and financial literacy; digitalization, skills, and firm productivity critical to COVID-19 recovery, and inclusive and climate-friendly growth across the region and beyond.

See more about this ADBI event here.