Widening financial inclusion for sustainable growth

The 19th UNI Apro Finance Steering group meeting held on 18-19 June in Colombo resolved to convene the 2017 UNI Apro Finance sector conference on the theme; widening financial inclusion for sustainable growth.

Over 30 senior trade union leaders representing finance industry employees in 20 trade unions in Asia and Pacific region gathered for the three-day meeting in Colombo. Federation of Bank Officers of Sri Lanka (FBOSL) jointly organised the meeting with UNI Apro Singapore. Leaders from Insurance Employees Union Sri Lanka (IEUSL) and Ceylon Bank Employees Union (CBEU) participated at the meeting from Sri Lanka.

UNI Apro Finance President Masakazu Tahara supported the theme chosen for the next regional finance sector conference as the financial inclusion is a key to stabilise the finance industry, channelling credit to stimulate the economy to create jobs for sustainable growth.

UNI Asia and Pacific Regional Organisation Regional Secretary Christopher Ng enlightened the steering group about the impact of regional economic integration and the digital economy on the jobs in banking and insurance industry. He also highlighted on the growth potential in Sri Lanka, as a financial and logistic services hub to emerging economies in the region.

A knowledge sharing session on ‘Regulatory tightening on diverse financial systems and financial inclusion’ was also held to analyse the impact of regulations on finance industry. Central Bank of Sri Lanka former Deputy Governor Dr. Ranee Jayamaha enlightened the trade union leaders as to how the Sri Lankan banking system was restructured in line with the BASLE guidelines. Her presentation was admired by all participants from the region and the wealth of experience shared was valued to develop a stable future financial system.

UNI Apro Regional Secretary and the visiting Japanese delegation had a briefing at the Board of Investment (BOI) in Sri Lanka. BOI Chairman Upul Jayasuriya highlighted the various incentives offered by the government of Sri Lanka for prospective investors to the delegation. UNI Finance Head Marcio Monzane complemented the financial industry regulators in Sri Lanka for maintaining healthy standards for a stable finance industry and he was impressed with the labour laws in place Sri Lanka. Minister for Labour and Trade Union Relations W.D.J. Seneviratne was the guest of honour at the joint session of the UNI Apro Finance Steering Group and South Asia Finance Sector Unions Council (SAFSUC). The Minister welcomed the trade union leaders to Sri Lanka and shared the policy directives of the government to narrow the income inequalities in the society particularly in the informal economy. Newly elected SAFSUC President Sanjeev Kumar Bandlish– General Secretary of All India State Bank of India Staff Federation received the SAFSUC Gravel from Minister Seneviratne.

UNI Apro Regional Secretary Christopher Ng presented a plaque to Minister Seneviratne, acknowledging his contributions to create decent jobs and better standard of living for all Sri Lankans.

UNI Apro Finance Regional Director Jayasri Priyalal appreciated the great support and cooperation extended by various government agencies in Sri Lanka and the officials of UNI Sri Lanka affiliates council to implement the activities in Sri Lanka. He said that the overseas guests were delighted with the warmth Sri Lankan hospitality extended to them.