To empower female entrepreneurs, we must challenge gender norms
To empower female entrepreneurs, we must challenge gender norms New research from CARE’s Ignite program in Pakistan, Peru and Vietnam has shown how much women’s professional ambitions are curtailed by the deeply ingrained assumption that a woman should be the primary childcare giver and the man should be the breadwinner. Some of our headline findings are: – […]
How will embedded finance revolutionize industries in Southeast Asia?
How will embedded finance revolutionize industries in Southeast Asia? There is a game-changing shift that is empowering the next stage of growth for the region’s industries. Embedded finance (EmFi) — or the integration of financial services (FS) into nonfinancial platforms to incorporate these into core activities in which customers are already engaged in — is […]
Digital lending critical to reimagining MSME financing in the Philippines
Digital lending critical to reimagining MSME financing in the Philippines New types of finance can strengthen small Filipino businesses following the pandemic Like its Southeast Asian counterparts, the Philippines relies on micro, small- and medium-sized enterprises to act as the lifeblood of the national economy. The MSME sector accounts for 36% of gross domestic product and […]
On the verge of a digital banking revolution in the Philippines
On the verge of a digital banking revolution in the Philippines As regulators encourage new players to enter the digital financial services sector, firms that take the initiative can gain an early advantage in one of the world’s largest greenfield markets. The Philippines is among the fastest-growing economies in Southeast Asia, yet the wholesale and corporate […]
Asia on the cusp of a new era
Asia on the cusp of a new era Asia will be the furnace in which a new era is forged—and may experience heightened versions of global challenges. Today’s cluster of disruptions, both economic and political, in many ways have Asia at the epicenter. We assert that these may be triggers for a new era in which […]
Digital Lending Can Turn the Dial on Financial Access for MSMEs
Digital Lending Can Turn the Dial on Financial Access for MSMEs Micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) form the backbone of the economy in Southeast Asia. Yet, they face persistent challenges in accessing finance from traditional banks to fund, grow, and sustain their businesses. With advancements in technology leading to a significant increase in digital […]
Realizing the Potential of Over 71 Million MSMEs in Southeast Asia
Realizing the Potential of Over 71 Million MSMEs in Southeast Asia The growth of MSMEs are a key driver of inclusive economic growth in the region. This article examines how the rise of online-to-offline platforms has facilitated the growth of MSMEs’ in the region through achieving efficiency, reaching customers and providing access to finance. There […]
South-East Asian SMEs are missing out on the digital revolution. Here’s how to get them on board
South-East Asian SMEs are missing out on the digital revolution. Here’s how to get them on board Major economies in South-East Asia have been hit hard by the pandemic and are still navigating the path to recovery amid renewed outbreaks, new virus variants and an uneven vaccine roll-out. Yet as devastating as lockdown restrictions have […]
How Financial Institutions Can Help SMEs in Southeast Asia Grow
How Financial Institutions Can Help SMEs in Southeast Asia Grow Like all businesses hit by the pandemic, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Southeast Asia have had to adapt to survive the unexpected disruption. From retailers to food outlets, many moved to online channels, while others looked to digital technologies to better optimize operations and […]
Is the MSME banking struggle in Southeast Asia over for traditional banks?
Is the MSME banking struggle in Southeast Asia over for traditional banks? A new perspective on the struggles of traditional banks in Southeast Asia to achieve market leadership in the MSME segment, the rise and evolution of fintech firms for MSMEs, and the possible shortcut for banks to win in the segment by developing and […]