Regional Development Department of the central bank is working as the focal point for international organisations such as Asian Credit Supplementation Institution confederation (ACSIC), Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI), Asia-Pacific Rural and Agricultural Credit Association (APRACA).
ACSIC was established in 1987, as the largest Asian co-operative body for the small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) with the objective of promoting sound development of credit supplementation system for small businesses in the Asian region. Currently, ACSIC comprises of 17 member institutions covering 12 countries. The ACSIC membership has enabled Central Bank to participate in the annual conference and Annual Training Programme (ATP). The Annual Conference of ACSIC and the ATP provides a platform to share experience of credit guarantee systems and new developments among its members of the ACSIC.
AFI is a global collective owned and led by member central banks and financial regulatory institutions with the common objective of advancing financial inclusion at the country, regional and international levels. AFI partners with regulators, international organizations and private sector leaders from almost 90 emerging and developing countries to facilitate the implementation of impactful policy changes focused at improving financial inclusion. In June 2010, central bank obtained the membership of AFI considering the benefits that could be derived to enhance the financial inclusion efforts in Sri Lanka.
Central bank engages in activities organized by AFI, participating Working Groups and subscribing AFI’s global voice platform through the Maya Commitment Declaration.
APRACA established in 1977 as the largest Asian body for the rural and agricultural credit with the main objective of promoting productivity, inclusive growth, self-reliance, and welfare of the rural poor in the Asia-Pacific region through improving efficiency and effectiveness of rural finance and improving access to financial services through a network of knowledge sharing and learning, capacity-building, research and exchange of expertise.
Central bank participated many APRACA events during the previous years including General Assemblies, Executive Committee Meetings and Training Programs which consists 84 member institutions including 24 Asian countries.
