The World Bank Group organized “Turkey Financial Inclusion Conference” between 3 and 4 June in Istanbul, Turkey in collaboration with Undersecretariat of Treasury of Turkey, Capital Markets Board of Turkey, Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency of Turkey and Borsa Istanbul. The conference aimed to discuss the stance of financial inclusion in Turkey in comparative perspective and implications of Turkey’s new ‘Financial Inclusion Strategy’.

The event hosted more than 70 senior representatives from public institutions of Turkey (Ministry of Family and Social Policies, Ministry of Economy, Undersecretariat of Treasury, Capital Markets Board, Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency), commercial banks (Akbank, ING Bank, Ziraat Bank) and international organizations (World Bank Group, Islamic Development Bank Group, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, European Central Bank, International Finance Corporation). SESRIC was represented thereat by Dr. Cem Tintin, Researcher.

The conference hosted sessions on Global Financial Inclusion Agenda and G20; Financial Inclusion Policies and Strategies; Overview of Financial Inclusion in Turkey; Increasing Usage of Financial Services; Tackling Women’s Financial Exclusion: How to Include Women; Consumer Protection and Financial Capability; Alternative Delivery Channels; How to Reach Micro Enterprises and SMEs. During these sessions, participants benefited from the experience of different institutions both on financial inclusion strategies and their success stories. Participants also found opportunity to discuss and share their views on these strategies’ outcomes and relevant policy recommendations.