The Asian Bankers Associations’s 39^th ABA General Meeting and Conference hosted by the Nepal Bankers Association (NBA) will be held on November 9-10, 2023 in Kathmandu, Nepal.

This year’s annual conference is doubly significant since not only is it the first face-to-face gathering that ABA members from all over Asia will have since the onset of the pandemic in early 2020, but it will also the first time that the ABA will be holding its  annual Conference in Nepal.

Focusing on the theme “ASIAN BANKING: ROADMAP FOR RECOVERY AND SUSTAINED GROWTH”, the two-day event is designed to provide another valuable platform for ABA members to meet and network with each other, as well as to exchange views with invited experts, high-ranking government officials, regulators and high-level bankers from Asia Pacific and beyond.

Invited Speakers will be addressing the following relevant and timely topics:

• Global Market Trends Shaping the Future of Banking
• Digital Transformation: Enabling Digital Trust and Adoption of AI
• ESG Banking Strategy: Integrating Policy, Principle and Profit
• CEO Forum: Managing in Uncertainty and a Changing Environment  

 

 

39th ABA General Meeting and Conference

November 9-10, 2023, Soaltee Hotel, Kathmandu, Nepal

 

November 9, 2023

08:30-09:00 Registration

09:00-10:00 Opening Ceremony (Room Megha-Malhar)

• Welcome Remarks: Mr. Sunil KC, President, Nepal Bankers’ Association
• Special Address: Mr. Maha Prasad Adhikari, Governor, Nepal Rastra Bank
• Special Address: Hon. Dr. Prakash Sharan Mahat, Finance Minister, GoN
• Keynote Address: H.E. Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, Prime Minister, GoN (TBC)
• Closing Remarks: Mr. Eugene S. Acevedo, Chairman, Asian Bankers Association

10:00-10:15 Coffee Break

10:15-11:30 Host Bank Session organized by Nepal Bankers Association (Room Megha-Malhar) on “Reimagining Nepal’s Economic Growth”.

Invited Speakers:

• Session Chair: Mr. Maha Prasad Adhikari, Governor, Nepal Rastra Bank
• Mr. Babacar S. Faye, Country Representative for IFC in Nepal, World Bank Group
• Pippa Bird, Development Director, Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office
• Mr. Ramesh Kumar Hamal, Chairman, Securities Board of Nepal
• Mr. Sunil KC, President, Nepal Bankers’ Association
• Moderator: Mr. Sujeev Shakya, CEO, Beed Management

11:30-12:00 Host Bank Session on Climate Risk (Room Megha-Malhar)

• Ms. Amal-Lee Amin, Managing Director and Head of Climate, Diversity and Advisory, British International Investment

11:30-12:00 Press Conference (Room Malshree)

11:30-13:30 Lunch

13:30-15:00 Special Session on “Connecting and Exploring Opportunities with ABA” (Room Megha-Malhar)

Brief country presentations by selected ABA member banks on the economy and the financial markets in their respective countries, or on special programs, projects, products or services that have benefited their customer base or the community they serve and may be adapted by member banks from other countries. Country Presenters:

• Hatton National Bank
• Bank Pasargad
• Bank of Maldives

15:30-16:30 ABA Policy Advocacy Committee Meeting (Room Malshree)

• Hatton National Bank
• Banks Association of Turkiye
• Bank of East Asia
• Fintelekt Advsory Services

16:30-18:00 B2B / Networking Session (Room Marva)

14:30-15:30 ABA Advisory Council Meeting (Room Malhar Lounge) (ABA members only)

15:30-16:15 Election Committee Meeting (Room Malhar Lounge) (ABA members only)

16:45 -18:15 61st ABA Board of Directors’ Meeting (Room Malshree) (ABA Directors only)

18:30-18:50 Cultural Show

18:50-20:00 Welcome Cocktails

 

November 10, 2023

 

39th ABA General Meeting and Conference

Asian Banking: Roadmap for Revovery and Sustained Growth

 

A combination of well-established forces and recent developments is reshaping banking. The global economy is becoming increasingly digitalised, and some of the emerging technologies have the potential to be truly transformative, even as they pose new challenges. At the same time, fintech innovators have emerged into the scene, equipped with capital and chasing scale ahead of financial returns, while new consumer trends continue to re-shape the evolving role of banks. Industry leaders recognize they need to accelerate change—not only to compete but to find new paths to growth – as they see the importance of developing and improving the resilience of the banking system. The Conference this year aims to provide ABA members the opportunity to discuss and exchange views on how various emerging challenges and trends they are facing today are coming together to influence the future of banking.

09:00-09:30 Registration

09:30-10:30 Plenary Session 1: Global Market Trends Shaping the Future of Banking

This session will examine the macroeconomic trends impacting the banking system and its future development. Invited speakers will share their perspectives on how to leverage on banking disruptors, the need for developing the right talent for the current market environment, the challenges posed by geopolitical risks, the impact of inflation and how rising interest rates are catalyzing product innovation, the renewed focus on branches, the new world of possibilities opened up by metaverse, the growing demand for the right talents in the banking sector, and emerging risks particularly in the wake of bank closures in the West.

• Dr. Le Xia, Chief Economist for Asia, BBVA on “Outlook of Global Financial System”
• Mr. Abdul Abiad, Director, Macroeconomics Research Division, Asian Development Bank
• Mrs. Negin Tootoonchian, Head, Risk Management Department, Bank Pasargad
• Mr. Pekka Dare, President, International Compliance Association (ICA)
• Moderator: Paul Bosbach, Executive Director, Head of Trade Finance and Home Markets Desk Asia, Erste Group Bank AG

10:30–11:30 Plenary Session 2: Digital Transformation: Enabling Digital Trust and Adoption of AI

Digital technologies are driving innovation and change in the banking industry, which is undergoing significant transformation. Mobile banking, artificial intelligence and chatbots, open banking, and cryptocurrency are just a few of the digital banking trends reshaping the industry. As digital banking grows in popularity, cybersecurity will become even more important. To protect customer data and prevent cyberattacks, banks will need to invest in advanced cybersecurity measures. For instance, to identify and prevent fraud, advanced technologies, such as biometric authentication, artificial intelligence, and machine learning, will be used. This session will examine the need for banks to implement digital trust to prevent customer account takeover and credential thefts and how they can gain customer confidence with convenient digital trust solutions and services.

• Mr. Rajan Narayan, CEO, Cyberbeat Pte. Ltd.
• Mr. Dilshan Rodrigo, Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer, Hatton National Bank
• Mr. Kuo Chan Tseng, COO, Authme on “Empowering Banks with AI: Strategies for the New Era of Cybersecurity”
• Ms. Neda Zendehdel, Head, Information Security Department, Bank Pasargad on “Digital Trust: The Key to Unlocking Digital Transformation”
• Moderator: Mr. Mostafa Beheshti Rouy, Advisor to the CEO and Board Member, Bank Pasargad

11:30 -13:00 Lunch

13:00-14:00 Plenary Session 3: ESG Banking Strategy: Integrating Policy, Principle and Profit

As the world grapples with environmental and social challenges such as climate change, social inequality, and governance failures, the importance of ESG considerations has never been more apparent. For banks, ESG is becoming an increasingly important aspect of doing business, as it can help manage risks, enhance reputation, meet regulatory requirements, drive innovation and increase access to capital. This session will explore the key trends currently driving ESG, how a forward-looking ESG data and technology road map can help banks get ahead of growing regulatory and consumer demands, how banks that prioritize ESG are likely to be better positioned for long-term success as they can help to create a more sustainable and equitable future for all stakeholders.

• Dr. Sandip Shah, Chairman and Managing Director, Pashupati Renewables Pvt. Ltd.
• Mr. Rajendra Theagarajah, Chairman Emeritus, ABA
• Ms. Amal-Lee Amin, Managing Director and Head of Climate, Diversity and Advisory, British International Investment
• Mr. Eshanul Azim, Principal Investment Officer and Country Anchor, Financial Institutions Group, IFC
• Moderator: Mr. Eugene S. Acevedo, ABA Chairman and President and CEO, Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation

14:00-15:00 Plenary Session 4: CEO Forum: Managing in Uncertainty and a Changing Environment

The business landscape is becoming more unpredictable than ever due to economic slowdown or disruptions, increasing competition, technological advancements, trade tensions, environmental concerns, political unrest, and social change. Many business leaders agree that it is a tough time to be leading any business right now — including banking. To stand a chance of survival and achieve sustainable profits, they recognize that it is important for companies to prepare for uncertainty. This session will invite CEOs who will share their valuable perspectives on  the different kinds of uncertainty a business might face and how to adapt to and overcome the challenges.

• Mr. John Berry, CEO and Secretary General, Qorus
• Raphael Goue, CEO, Euracific Strategies
• Mr. Dorji Kadin, CEO, Bank of Bhutan
• Mr. Ashoke SJB Rana, CEO, Himalayan Bank Ltd. and Advisor, Nepal Bankers’ Association
• Moderator: Mr. Daniel Wu, Member, ABA Advisory Council

15:00-15:30 39th ABA General Meeting Proper (Room Megha-Malhar): (1) ABA Chairman’s Report (2) Report of the Election Committee

15:30-15:45 Coffee Break

15:30-15:45 62nd ABA Board of Directors’ Meeting: Part One (Room Malshree): (1) Election of the New ABA Chairman and New ABA Vice Chairman (ABA members only)

15:45-16:15 Installation Ceremony (Room Megha-Malhar): (1) Valedictory Address of Outgoing Chairman, (2) Oath-taking of Incoming Chairman and Vice-Chairman, (3) Handover Ceremony, (4) Acceptance Speech of Incoming Chairman, (5) Presentation of Distinguished Service Plaque to Outgoing Chairman and Outgoing Vice Chairman

16:30-17:30 B2B / Networking Session (Room Marva)

16:30-17:30 62nd ABA Board of Directors’ Meeting: Part Two (Room Malshree) (ABA members only)

18:30 Depart from Soaltee Hotel Lobby for Farewell Dinner

19:00 Farewell Dinner

 

November 11. 2023

08:30-17:30 Optional Tour Program / Departure of Delegates

 

 

Conference Registration

 

We encourage you and your colleagues to join us in Kathmandu by visiting the Conference website at www.abaconference2023.com, which also includes hotel booking information and other relevant details.

Download the latest program HERE.