The conference showcased unique perspectives of industry leaders, rich experiences of successful practitioners, and the impactful financial innovations that contribute to improved access to financing for many micro, small and medium sized enterprises from around the world. Under the theme “Reaching the Informal: the Role of Finance in Improving the Growth and Productivity of SMEs," the forum explored how innovation in technology, regulation and partnerships can help overcome various informality problems, and open up a far larger market for profitable, sustainable, responsible financial services.
Furthermore, the winners of the Global SME Finance Awards - that recognize outstanding achievements of financial institutions and fintech companies in delivering innovative products and services to their SME clients - were announced during the event!
It was a big pleasure for me and colleagues to join the annual SME Finance Forum in Madrid. We all consider, in Intesa Sanpaolo, the event and the activities run by the Forum really worthwhile in opening up new learning and opportunities for the Bank.
We're looking forward to continuing our partnership in 2019!
Congratulations on the success of the conference. It was very well organized and deemed to be a fruitful meeting. Thank you for your relentless efforts to make this happening.
[Congratulations] on an exceptional Forum with so much good content, so many interesting participants and a bewildering range of topics.
I found it very useful and hope that I was of some help to a handful of the next generation of SME fanatics.
Events, such as the Global SME Finance Forum, are crucial for facilitating SME finance, and for this reason, we sincerely appreciate and support such events.
[The SME Finance Forum] can count on our support for future initiatives, as well as on our collaboration for the exchange of information on good practices and actions developed in the field of SME financing.
BDC and the Montreal Group benefited from their participation in the Forum. I personally appreciated the insights from ING, BBVA and the BNP Paribas group related to their own AI and digitisation strategies.
I was glad to get to know the broader SME Finance Forum/ IFC team. Such an efficient, smart and helpful team.
I would like to thank ... the Global SME Finance Forum - administration and organizing staff - for the remarkable efforts and outstanding proficiency that emerged during organizing such a professionally diversified forum. The synergy embodied in its network, aiming at serving the strategic objective of SME financing, is undoubtedly in alignment with Banque Du Liban’s vision, as a regulatory authority.
It was indeed a pleasure to be part of the program. Great network, new learning and perspectives and the recognition of what we are doing to close the finance gap.
I enjoyed the event very much, which was very well organized and had very interesting presentations and participants particularly from the FinTech world. Lots of great ideas and perspectives. The feedback that I also heard from client banks during coffee breaks and lunches was very positive.
Keynote and VIP Speakers
TechPitch
For SME Finance Forum Members Only
Fintechs: Adhara, Bewater Funds, Inbonis, MyTripleA, Traity, Twinco Capital
Banks & Other: BBVA's Innovation Center, Ciudad BBVA, Ciudad Grupo Santander, Experian, Intesa SanPaolo
Formalization, innovation, and SMEs’ growth and productivity: What should we be talking about when we talk about formalization? What role should the financial sector play in formalization? What role is technology playing in formalization?
Role of digital payments in SME formalization: What have we learned and why is card acceptance not enough anymore?
BBVA view from the Boardroom: SME´s access to finance and regulation: The roles and obligations of banks in formalizing SMEs
Should Financial Institutions go beyond financing?
Is providing additional, non-financial services essential to competitiveness? Can FIs provide the expertise necessary? Can FIs provide necessary expertise affordably? Can FIs provide timely additional support?
eCommerce Platforms: Formalizing access to markets
eCommerce has increasingly played crucial roles in enabling SMEs to expand their businesses and to improve their competitiveness. The panel will share their experiences and insights into how eCommerce could formalize access to markets for SMEs especially those from less developed economies, the challenges and proposed solutions.
Introduction of AFIN – Rachel Freeman, Advisory Manager, Financial Institutions Group – IFC
Moderator: Rostan Schwab, Africa Head, Fintech Investments – IFC
Rapid fire demonstration pitches by selected startup and early stage companies
Speed-dating with investors and fintech vendors
Enjoy pre-dinner cocktails, hors d’oeuvres & local entertainment
Formalizing supply chains
The session will explore how to create supply chain markets in emerging countries that benefit local SMEs. How can markets become more formally structured through supply chain development? What are the challenges and opportunities for SMEs and for their larger buyers? What are the roles of financial institutions, including both banks and fintechs, in supply chain development?
The role of insurance in formalizing SMEs’ risk management
How can adding insurance for property, health, trade and other aspects of business improve the growth prospects of SMEs.
A discussion on the business case and opportunities for ‘Upscaling women entrepreneurs’
Why the best finance programs must go well beyond financing.
FIs’ roles in formalizing SME management: Priorities for improving SME growth and productivity
How digital platforms can make entrepreneurship development more timely, relevant and effective.
AI/Machine learning for SMEs
Why AI is now not only something for banks to take on, it’s increasingly essential, and affordable, for SMEs themselves. What are the keys to effectively bringing AI into small businesses?
Formalizing SME payments processing: New horizons in transaction banking
Opportunities and risks of using new technologies in credit scoring – will this lead to improved financial inclusion?
What are the opportunities and obstacles for banks and for alternative financial institutions?
The role of regulators in encouraging the formalization of SMEs
What can regulators and global standards setting bodies do to encourage SMEs to be more structured, efficient and productive? What incentives can they offer to promote better supplier, customer, investor and employee management by SMEs?
Fintech and formalization of SME agribusinesses
How is this transforming production, marketing and risk management.
Role of DFIs in supporting growth and formalizing SMEs
Financial Institutions Group Advisory - Asia & Pacific – IFC
Beyond digital transformation: How do banks truly embrace Digital to serve SMEs better
Should we return to “Big is Beautiful”?
The roles of large firms in formalizing SMEs.
Sharmila Hardi, Senior Manager, Financial Institutions Group – IFC
Hosted by the BBVA Innovation Center: Prior Registration Required
For SME Finance Forum Members Only
Fintechs: Adhara, Bewater Funds, Inbonis, MyTripleA, Traity, Twinco Capital
Banks & Other: BBVA's Innovation Center, Ciudad BBVA, Ciudad Grupo Santander, Experian, Intesa SanPaolo
Formalization, innovation, and SMEs’ growth and productivity: What should we be talking about when we talk about formalization? What role should the financial sector play in formalization? What role is technology playing in formalization?
Role of digital payments in SME formalization: What have we learned and why is card acceptance not enough anymore?
BBVA view from the Boardroom: SME´s access to finance and regulation: The roles and obligations of banks in formalizing SMEs
Should Financial Institutions go beyond financing?
Is providing additional, non-financial services essential to competitiveness? Can FIs provide the expertise necessary? Can FIs provide necessary expertise affordably? Can FIs provide timely additional support?
eCommerce Platforms: Formalizing access to markets
eCommerce has increasingly played crucial roles in enabling SMEs to expand their businesses and to improve their competitiveness. The panel will share their experiences and insights into how eCommerce could formalize access to markets for SMEs especially those from less developed economies, the challenges and proposed solutions.
Introduction of AFIN – Rachel Freeman, Advisory Manager, Financial Institutions Group – IFC
Moderator: Rostan Schwab, Africa Head, Fintech Investments – IFC
Rapid fire demonstration pitches by selected startup and early stage companies
Speed-dating with investors and fintech vendors
Enjoy pre-dinner cocktails, hors d’oeuvres & local entertainment
Formalizing supply chains
The session will explore how to create supply chain markets in emerging countries that benefit local SMEs. How can markets become more formally structured through supply chain development? What are the challenges and opportunities for SMEs and for their larger buyers? What are the roles of financial institutions, including both banks and fintechs, in supply chain development?
The role of insurance in formalizing SMEs’ risk management
How can adding insurance for property, health, trade and other aspects of business improve the growth prospects of SMEs.
A discussion on the business case and opportunities for ‘Upscaling women entrepreneurs’
Why the best finance programs must go well beyond financing.
FIs’ roles in formalizing SME management: Priorities for improving SME growth and productivity
How digital platforms can make entrepreneurship development more timely, relevant and effective.
AI/Machine learning for SMEs
Why AI is now not only something for banks to take on, it’s increasingly essential, and affordable, for SMEs themselves. What are the keys to effectively bringing AI into small businesses?
Formalizing SME payments processing: New horizons in transaction banking
Opportunities and risks of using new technologies in credit scoring – will this lead to improved financial inclusion?
What are the opportunities and obstacles for banks and for alternative financial institutions?
The role of regulators in encouraging the formalization of SMEs
What can regulators and global standards setting bodies do to encourage SMEs to be more structured, efficient and productive? What incentives can they offer to promote better supplier, customer, investor and employee management by SMEs?
Fintech and formalization of SME agribusinesses
How is this transforming production, marketing and risk management.
Role of DFIs in supporting growth and formalizing SMEs
Financial Institutions Group Advisory - Asia & Pacific – IFC
Beyond digital transformation: How do banks truly embrace Digital to serve SMEs better
Should we return to “Big is Beautiful”?
The roles of large firms in formalizing SMEs.
Sharmila Hardi, Senior Manager, Financial Institutions Group – IFC
Hosted by the BBVA Innovation Center: Prior Registration Required
