In what marked the first AFI-sponsored knowledge exchange visit to Thailand, a delegation from National Bank of the Republic of Belarus (NBRB) visited Bank of Thailand (BOT) and AFI Management Unit, to engage in a knowledge exchange on data and measurement. The event, which took place in Bangkok from 24-26 January, was designed to inform NBRB’s knowledge of data and measurement tools in relation to financial inclusion.

The visit served as a fundamental component of an existing long-term AFI grant to Belarus in the area of data and measurement. In pursuit of developing evidence-based financial inclusion policies that will lead to greater financial access for its relatively unserved population, NBRB is undertaking a comprehensive project to measure access to and usage of financial services in the country. At this time, no relevant data exists, and this information gap presents an obstacle to advancing national financial inclusion efforts. To move forward, NBRB envisages developing innovative methodologies to measure access to finance, like the Total Financial Inclusion Index (TFII) or the Access to Finance Scorecard.

Highlights of the exchange’s activities included a meeting at BOT where the results and lessons learned from Thailand’s financial inclusion household survey were presented. After meeting with Thailand’s National Statistics Office to discuss of appropriate sample size, the Belarusian delegation now plans to increase its study’s sample size to 10,000 to ensure accurate measures of financial inclusion at a district level. NBRB will present their TFII at the next Financial Inclusion Data Working Group (FIDWG) scheduled to take place from 6-7 March in Dakar, Senegal.

The level of financial inclusion in the Republic of Belarus is low compared to its neighboring countries. According to World Bank research from the year 2000, the latest available, only 16% of the population has a bank account. The penetration of bank branches and ATMs also lag behind other countries. Precisely because of these unfavorable conditions, NBRB is demonstrating openness to reform and a desire to explore new opportunities and solutions for increasing access to financial services.