The Event
The Global SME Finance Forum 2016 is our annual gathering of senior leaders of financial institutions, development finance institutions, non-bank investors (angel investors and venture capitalists), fintech companies, policymakers and regulators. This flagship conference is a unique global event focused on improving finance for small and medium enterprises. We are pleased to offer platinum, gold, silver and bronze sponsorship tiers for the Global Forum 2016, and aim to provide our sponsors the utmost opportunities to highlight their brands, actively engage in professional networking and make valuable business connections through logo placement, advert, booth, social media recognition and many more channels. Please see our 2016 Sponsorship Brochure for a full list of sponsorship opportunities.
This year’s Global Forum will explore the latest trends in financial innovation around the world to spur new opportunities to better finance SMEs. Through a carefully-designed program of presentations and discussions amongst experts and peers, the Global Forum will offer a space for sharing the latest knowledge, empirical data, global expertise, and good practice examples in financial innovation. Individual sessions will highlight innovative partnership structures, new technologies, effective policies, and business models that are successfully improving access to finance for SMEs.
The Context
Small and medium businesses are at the heart of economic growth. SMEs account for nine out of ten businesses, half of GDP and two thirds of jobs worldwide. 200 million micro, small and medium enterprises don’t have access to credit, and there is a $3 trillion unmet demand for MSME credit worldwide. Helping SMEs access the necessary finance for growth can help us create the 600 million jobs needed by 2030 to absorb a global growing workforce. This represents a great untapped business opportunity for financial institutions and fintechs to explore ways to serve the underserved and unserved segments. Regulators also play a crucial role in creating an enabling environment where SMEs can thrive and grow.
What to Expect
With high-level representatives from 400 SME-oriented financial institutions and fintechs, as well as financial sector regulators, participants will engage in a lively exchange of ideas and practical knowledge. In addition to interactive discussions in the main hall and on the stage, there will be many opportunities for networking and informal discussions in the corridors.
Agenda
This two-day program is designed to:
- Highlight good practice examples in financing SMEs from financial institutions around the world,
- Showcase emerging financial technologies and innovations, and
- Discuss effective policy and regulatory frameworks.
The agenda consists of two full days of engaging panel discussions, plenary keynote presentations, and demonstrations of cutting-edge financial technologies.
Topics to be covered include:
- Keynote on financing SMEs in the current context of global market volatility
- Global trade finance: new trends, challenges and opportunities
- Distributed ledger (blockchain) technology and SME finance
- Fintech and banks: foes or friends?
- State of SME finance regulation: headwinds and tailwinds ahead
- Beyond credit – insurance and other products for SMEs
- Financing women entrepreneurs
Watch this space and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter for further updates and information on registration. #SMEFinance2016.
Watch the highlights from Global SME Finance Forum 2015.
This event is organized in partnership with CapPlus Exchange.