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The Cambodia Microfinance Association (CMA) successfully hosted its Annual Microfinance Conference in Siem Reap, attracting over 300 leaders, policymakers, and international partners. The event, themed “Sustainable and Inclusive Microfinance: Current Situation and Future Trends,” underscored CMA’s commitment to financial inclusion and responsible growth.
Mrs. Dith Nita, Chairwoman of CMA, opened the conference by emphasizing the necessity of sustainable and inclusive microfinance. “Together, we’re working toward a stronger economy, a fairer society, and a financial system that serves all Cambodians,” she stated. Her remarks highlighted CMA’s dedication to client protection and empowerment, particularly in Cambodia’s rural and underserved communities.
CMA’s 132 member institutions play a pivotal role in this mission, managing a combined loan portfolio of $5.11 billion USD, serving 1.55 million active borrowers, and holding $2.21 billion in deposits across nearly two million accounts, 67% of which are held by women. This initiative significantly supports local employment, with over 21,000 staff members across 900 branches.
A key highlight of the conference was the recognition of the Bakong payment system, developed by the National Bank of Cambodia (NBC). Launched in 2020, Bakong now boasts ten million active wallets, providing seamless, low-cost digital finance services and advancing financial inclusion.
In addition to client protection, CMA is pioneering green finance initiatives in collaboration with Oxfam and Water.org. These efforts focus on developing water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) products and advancing environmental sustainability.
Throughout the event, CMA emphasized the importance of financial literacy, capacity building, and adhering to a strong code of conduct to create a transparent, resilient financial sector. The conference concluded with a call to action for continued collaborative efforts in promoting sustainable and inclusive finance.
