Visiting Fellows Aiba Daiju and Samreth Sovannroeun Present Their Research Findings at the Annual Microfinance Conference in Cambodia
2024.12.04
On Nov. 4, 2024, the Cambodia Microfinance Association (CMA), in collaboration with the National Bank of Cambodia (NBC), held the Annual Microfinance Conference in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Aiba Daiju
, JICA Expert at NBC and Visiting Fellow at the JICA Ogata Sadako Research Institute for Peace and Development (JICA Ogata Research Institute), and Samreth Sovannroeun
, Professor at Saitama University and Visiting Fellow at the JICA Ogata Research Institute, participated as panelists at the conference.
The theme for this year’s conference, “Sustainable and Inclusive Microfinance: Current Situation and Future Trends of the Sector,” provided a platform for leaders in Cambodia’s microfinance sector to discuss achievements, challenges, and future directions for inclusive finance. Approximately 400 participants attended, including executives from microfinance institutions (MFIs), government officials, development partners, and representatives from international organizations. The conference facilitated open discussions and knowledge-sharing among attendees. The discussions focused on reviewing Cambodia’s economic performance and financial stability, examining the financial sector’s strengths and challenges, and exploring innovative financing solutions for small businesses, green finance, and water and sanitation projects. Supporting business resilience through various strategies to strengthen microfinance institutions and promoting responsible finance by addressing challenges and opportunities for inclusive finance in Cambodia were some of the additional topics.
The conference featured several presentations and panel discussions led by experts, as well as representatives from NBC and international organizations. Each of these presentations and discussions focused on different topics related to the current state and future outlook of Cambodia’s microfinance sector. In one of the sessions, a panel discussed the role of impact investment and social capital in Cambodia’s microfinance sector. Moderated by Heng Bomakara, Head of the Cambodia Financial Intelligence Unit (CAFIU) at NBC, the panel—including Aiba and Samreth —explored key factors influencing investment decisions, such as trust, social networks, and the impact of microfinance loans.
A panel discusses the role of impact investment and social capital in Cambodia’s microfinance sector.
Aiba
presented findings from a study on investment patterns among impact investors in Cambodian microfinance institutions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on data from over 5,300 debt disbursements across 70 MFIs from 2017 to 2021, the study found that impact investors—who seek financial returns as well as social benefits—tended to favor MFIs with a higher outreach. During the pandemic, impact investors maintained their investment in MFIs, while some domestic investors reduced theirs, highlighting the stability provided by impact-driven funding during uncertain times in global capital markets.
Samreth
presented a study on the role of community trust and social networks in promoting financial inclusion. His presentation was based on a survey conducted as part of a research project undertaken by the JICA Ogata Research Institute. The project, titled “Study on the Promotion of Financial Inclusion: The Case of Cambodia,” covered seven provinces in Cambodia. The survey results indicated that trust in people and community leaders is positively correlated with social capital, that female-headed households tend to have lower social capital compared with male-headed households, and that a positive relationship exists between households with MFI borrowers and social capital. Samreth suggested that fostering community trust can enhance the effectiveness of social capital, which is essential for promoting financial literacy, reducing reliance on predatory informal credit sources, and improving the community’s overall wellbeing.
Samreth Sovannroeun, Visiting Fellow at the JICA Ogata Research Institute
Aiba Daiju, Visiting Fellow at the JICA Ogata Research Institute
The 2024 Annual Microfinance Conference highlighted the importance of impact investment, community trust, and responsible financial practices in developing a resilient and inclusive financial sector in Cambodia. Building on the panel discussions, the research team aims to further deepen their investigation into social capital and impact investment. The findings from this research will be published as part of the JICA Ogata Research Institute’s discussion paper series.
事業事前評価表(地球規模課題対応国際科学技術協力(SATREPS)).国際協力機構 地球環境部 . 防災第一チーム. 1.案件名.国 名: フィリピン共和国.
事業事前評価表(地球規模課題対応国際科学技術協力(SATREPS)).国際協力機構 地球環境部 . 防災第一チーム. 1.案件名.国 名: フィリピン共和国.
事業事前評価表(地球規模課題対応国際科学技術協力(SATREPS)).国際協力機構 地球環境部 . 防災第一チーム. 1.案件名.国 名: フィリピン共和国.
事業事前評価表(地球規模課題対応国際科学技術協力(SATREPS)).国際協力機構 地球環境部 . 防災第一チーム. 1.案件名.国 名: フィリピン共和国.
事業事前評価表(地球規模課題対応国際科学技術協力(SATREPS)).国際協力機構 地球環境部 . 防災第一チーム. 1.案件名.国 名: フィリピン共和国.
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