The upcoming conference will be a very special event. Just 10 years ago, microfinance in Russia was perceived as an initiative of just a few enthusiasts and existed as pilot projects. It was not until 2002, at the First National Microfinance Conference, that we set a goal of building a strong, high-quality microfinance industry in Russia.

Over the past years Over the past years due to our persistent joint work we have managed to create a professional, nation-wide microfinance sector and advance financial inclusion on the agenda of the government and professional associations. Microfinance has become an integral part of the Russian financial system and enterprise community, making impact at the international level. Microfinance has become an integral part of Russian financial system and enterprise community, making impact at the international level. New achievements, however, bring about new challenges.

The upcoming Conference will be devoted to the development of global priorities for creating an all-inclusive financial system in Russia and enhancing access to financial services for the next decade, in line with the priorities of the G20 and the National Action Plan aimed at the implementation thereof. The key issues to be discussed at the Conference include:

• initiatives aimed to improve legislation and regulation to further enhance access to financial services;
• use of financial innovations (e-money, mobile money, banking agents) and high quality management of inherent risks;
• ways to provide growth and avoid imbalances in the development of non-bank financial institutions (credit cooperatives and microfinance institutions);
• ways to increase transparency of microfinance institutions and enhance consumer protection.