Money 20/20 Asia: Business through innovation and inclusion

Bringing together delegates from 85 countries, 25 of which are in APAC, Money 20/20 Asia launched in Bangkok with a key message: community gets things done.

Leaning on its global mantra “Where Money does Business,” the conference’s inaugural event in Asia was opened by organisation president Tracey Davies and chief strategy and growth officer Scarlett Sieber.

The pair outlined a conference that has embraced the local and broader regional ambience, with specially commissioned artwork and a bright pink event theme running throughout.

Davies claimed Money 20/20 events enabled delegates to squeeze “three months of meetings into three days,” while Sieber noted how Bangkok had been chosen for its pivotal location in the region to encourage collaboration.

With some 60% of the world’s population based in Asia, according to keynote opening speaker Darangee Saeju, assistant governor of the Bank of Thailand, it is a natural hub for innovation and cooperation.

Saeju also noted how Thailand had been a regional digital leader, with key fintech objectives already set by its central bank.

These objectives are guided by three specific intentions: productivity, inclusivity, and immunity, she said.

Understanding and keeping them in mind enables growth to be achieved in a sustainable way, by not just focusing on “a few” but enabling whole communities to be lifted and empowered financially.

The assistant governor outlined a range of projects the central bank had successfully rolled out, including country-wide digital finance initiatives that have already boosted Thailand’s ecommerce activities. One has since been broadened to facilitate cross-border remittance schemes, which are a vital resource for the region.

Saeju encouraged delegates to “harness technology for the greater good,” having showed how it has already been implemented to significant effect in Thailand. By doing so, the industry could create “a better future for all,” which would, in turn ensure it was on a path to sustainable growth.

She added that collaboration would be key to success, and welcomed more than 250 speakers and hundreds of delegates to Bangkok for three days of panel sessions, breakouts, and networking events.

Money 20/20 Asia is taking place in Bangkok’s Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre, April 23-25.