Financial Inclusion Task Force
The Regional Financial Inclusion Task Force in Arab Countries was established following a recommendation by the Council of Governors of Arab Central Banks and Monetary Authorities in 2012. It comprises directors and officials responsible for financial inclusion at Arab central banks and operates under the Arab Committee on Banking Supervision. The Arab Monetary Fund serves as its Technical Secretariat.
Objectives
The Task Force contributes to developing policies and measures that support financial inclusion across Arab countries, strengthening efforts to measure and improve financial inclusion indicators, and supporting the implementation of relevant international standards and principles.
It also promotes cooperation and the exchange of expertise among national authorities and relevant international institutions, raises awareness of financial inclusion and consumer protection in financial and banking services, and prepares studies and working papers on the state of financial inclusion across Arab countries.
Technical Assistance
The Task Force meets at least twice a year to coordinate efforts and exchange expertise on financial inclusion. It prepares working papers for submission to the Arab Committee on Banking Supervision for approval before they are presented to the Council of Governors of Arab Central Banks and Monetary Authorities.
The Arab Monetary Fund supports the Task Force’s activities in its capacity as Technical Secretariat. The Task Force draws on relevant international standards and principles when preparing working papers and recommendations, a practice established at its first meeting in Abu Dhabi in December 2013.