Date: September 2, 2023

Time: 1:00 - 4:20 PM

Location: Nassim Nicholas Lecture Hall, CamEd Business School

On Saturday 2nd September 2023, CamEd Banking and Finance Club (CBFIs) conducted a seminar under the theme  “Financial Inclusion: A Research Paradigm” which was hosted both virtually via “Zoom Meeting” and physically at CamEd business school. This webinar was shared by Ms. Pichpisey Sovann, Mr. Sambathrorth Kong, Ms. Veronica Lewis, and Ms. Arunremfa Lim. 

This seminar was organized by CBFIs and God Return under the topic of "Financial Inclusion - A research Paradigm" to describe financial inclusion in general and its importance in Cambodia. The significance of financial inclusion in Cambodia's financial sector as well as the obstacles standing in the way of financial inclusion were also covered. This session will examine social inclusion as a research lens in light of the concerns surrounding exclusion in the financial sector and the economy. An introduction to a knowledge base on financial inclusion will follow this sharing session. 

The event, skillfully facilitated, delved into the crucial topic of financial inclusion in Cambodia. Mr. Sambathrorth Kong set the stage by expressing the hope that participants would gain a deeper understanding of this vital subject. 

Ms. Pichpisey Sovann, the first speaker, provided a comprehensive overview of financial inclusion, highlighting its significance and presenting statistics specific to Cambodia. 

Barriers to financial inclusion, such as accessibility and literacy, were eloquently discussed by the second speaker, Ms. Arunremfa Lim, who emphasized the challenges faced by vulnerable groups, including people with disabilities and women. 

The event also shed light on initiatives and collaborations, with the introduction of Bridge Bank's services and Ms. Veronica Lewis presenting the impactful "Let's Talk Money Campaign." The campaign, a collaboration between the National Bank of Cambodia and Good Return, seeks to enhance financial literacy through multimedia and social media channels. 

The Sustainable Inclusive Finance Project was unveiled by the final speaker, Mr. Sambathrorth Kong, introducing the RIF Academy's role in providing e-learning and technical assistance for social inclusion. 

The questions and answers part of the event showed that people were really interested and actively involved. Different views, useful ideas, and real-world solutions from the speakers helped everyone get a complete picture of the challenges and chances for improving financial inclusion in Cambodia.

To sum up, the event acted like a starting point for bringing people together and talking about how to make finance better for everyone. It encouraged teamwork and discussions among those involved, setting the stage for ongoing efforts to support lasting and inclusive financial practices in the area. The shared dedication to overcoming obstacles and finding new and creative solutions showed that everyone is committed to making financial opportunities better for the people of Cambodia.