The Country Director of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Mr. Said Zaidansyah, addressed the inaugural Financial Inclusion Policy Forum at the APEC Haus in Port Moresby city this morning, emphasizing ADB’s dedication in financial inclusion in PNG. Mr. Zaidansyah outlined ADB’s longstanding efforts to improve access to finance, which is critical for reducing poverty and promote economic growth in PNG and other developing countries. ADB has been actively supporting PNG’s financial sector for over 20 years, with initiatives like Microfinance and Employment project (2001 – 2010) and the Microfinance Expansion Project (2011 – 2019), which enhance financial literacy and building capacity for financial institutions and developed industry standards for microfinance. These projects have contributed significantly to the growth of microfinance in PNG, enabling institutions like Microbank to serve over 500,000 clients across 12 branches. Mr. Zaidansyah also highlighted NDB’s work in digitizing financial services such as their collaboration with MiBank to enhance access to finance for the MSMEs. Additionally, ADB has provided training for women entrepreneurs through the Women Innovative Vibrant Enterprises initiative for economic empowerment and inclusivity. Despite these achievements, Mr. Zaidansyah acknowledged the two-thirds of PNG’s population remains unbanked. To address this, ADB plans to launch a new program in 2025, aligned with the National Financial Inclusion Strategy 2023 – 2026. This initiative aims to reform financial systems, increase digital infrastructure, enhance financial literacy and target underserved groups such as women and youth. ADB’s commitment to financial inclusion also extend to policy-based support and private sector development initiatives. These efforts include collaborating with PNG’s National Development Bank to improve MSME banking practices and easy access to credit. Concluding his speech, Mr. Zaidansyah reaffirms ADB’s dedication to foster financial inclusion in PNG and for future collaborations to create more inclusive financial landscape. Meantime, the Financial Inclusion Policy Forum started this morning with a lot to talk about, including the improving on policies like the Financial Inclusion Policy 2023- 2027 and the Green Finance along with the implementation programs. Bank of Papua New Guinea (BPNG) Governor, Eliabeth Genia encouraged all participants, including partners and stakeholder of the Bank and the Center for Excellence in Financial Inclusion (CEFI) to put their heads together and provide meaningful solutions to increasing financial inclusion in PNG by banking the huge majority out there that is still unbanked.