APEC Financial Inclusion Capacity Building Package - Synthesis Report

Financial inclusion is a key enabler of economic participation, opening up opportunities for people to upskill, work, and invest. Financial technologies (fintech) could be a game-changing catalyst in promoting financial inclusion, but economies need to manage risks related to consumer protection, privacy, and security. In 2018, a Financial Inclusion Capacity Building Package was initiated by the APEC Finance and Central Bank Deputies with the aim of examining issues related to the use of fintech for financial inclusion and consumer protection. This synthesis report provides a background on financial inclusion in APEC economies as well as the opportunities and risks of fintech. It then distils inputs from APEC member economies on their challenges, responses, and capacity building needs with respect to financial inclusion and consumer protection. The report also discusses the role of regional cooperation and APEC in promoting financial inclusion through fintech around the region.