IIM-A to conduct workshop on financial inclusion

The workshop will look to provide an opportunity for exchange of ideas among participants from various sectors

In a bid to enhance financial inclusion and assist financial institutions, the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIM-A) is conducting a workshop on design of products and services for financial inclusion.

To be organised on July 20, 2013 at the IIM-A campus, the workshop will look to provide "an opportunity for exchange of ideas among participants from the government, banks, micro-finance organizations, regulators, organizations from the social sector and academics on design of appropriate financial products and services to meet the needs of different sections of society", an official communique stated.

The day long workshop would begin with a welcome address by Samir Barua, former director, IIM-A on the state of financial inclusion and literacy in India. The other key speakers include, Ashish Chauhan, MD and CEO, BSE, who would deliver a talk on the perspectives of institutions in enhancing financial inclusion and financial literacy; Vijay Mahajan, Founder and CEO, BASIX, who would deliberate on the design of financial products and services for the financially excluded group; and Pawan Agarwal, Sr. Director (Rating), CRISIL, who would present the role and approach to developing and maintaining nation-wide indices for financial inclusion.

Moreover, a panel consisting of Manoj Sharma (Director, Microsave), Rajarshi Chakraborty (Head- PSL, Citi India), Srinivas Bonam (Head-Inclusive Banking Group, Indusind Bank), MV Subramanian (Head - Rural and Inclusive Banking, Axis Bank), would discuss on design of financial products and services for the financially excluded.

Meanwhile, technical sessions, presentations and panel discussions would provide opportunities for debate and discussions on key issues related to the field. The workshop also would attempt to develop a shared understanding of the issues involved in evolving an effective policy and implementation framework to enhance the reach of financial products and services to the excluded segments of society, the institute stated.