Colombo to host Asian Bankers Association conference in Oct.

The Asian Bankers Association of 200 leading bankers and bank regulators will hold its 28th Conference in Sri Lanka on the 3 and 4 October.

The theme for this year’s conference will be ‘Asia Taking the Lead in the Global Economy – a bankers’ perspective’. More than 125 banks led by indigenous banks such as those from Qatar, Oman, Philippine, Uzbekistan, Asia the Middle East who are an important lobby on issues of policy and advocacy will meet, Chairman, Asian Bankers Association and Chief Executive Officer, Hatton National Bank, Rajendra Theagarajah said at press conference.

Experts from the banking sector, academe and government will be invited to talk on the fundamentals of Asian banking, the China-India equation and Asia’s contribution to sustainable banking.

The objectives of the sessions are to explore and understand the responsibilities of Asia in the global economy and how Asia will have to play a leading role in the future, the exchange of ideas covering the challenges and opportunities facing Asian banks in their emergence as global market players, and to provide a forum for Asian banks to discuss international regulatory standards and the way forward.

During  the Asian Financial Crisis this body advocated the formation of the Asian currency bond market and later the importance of micro finance as a policy agenda, Theagarajah said.

They have not met in South Asia or Sri Lanka for a long time and with the advent of peace in 2009 expressed a common interest in coming to Sri Lanka he said.

Social unrest in the Middle East and Europe and the growing influence of Asia in the world economy enables the identification of new products and mawrkets to benefit global markets.

The Chief Executive Officer forum is a recent addition to the technical sessions and brings together banks to talk on issues such as corporate governance and provides a networking opportunity for banks, the government, consultants and analyst for each sector.

Established in October 1981 the ABA is the biggest grouping of banks and institutions in the Asia-Pacific.

It holds annual meetings to broaden the perspective of members on development and opportunities in the region.