The Asia-Pacific Financial Forum (APFF) is a network of networks and working groups involving over 500 experts from more than 200 institutions, including industry associations, individual firms, international private and public organizations, regulatory bodies, government agencies, and academic institutions. Their collective goal is to transform Southeast Asia into a digitally enabled, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable region. Over the years, the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) and the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) have developed various initiatives and recommendations to enable the region’s economies to achieve this transformation through financial sector reforms.
APFF / ASEAN BAC Southeast Asia Conference seeks to provide a platform for dialogue by bringing key stakeholders together. The inaugural conference, held in Bangkok, Thailand on 17 May 2024, focused on empowering micro-, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through the APFF’s undertakings in four major areas:
1. End-to-end digitalization of trade and supply chain finance
2. Financial infrastructure for expanded financial access
3. Financing sustainable transition of enterprises
4. Creating resilient ecosystems that MSMEs need for continued growth through disaster risk financing.
During the conference, SEADRIF Insurance Company Chief Operating and Financial Officer Ellen Yong joined the panel with industry experts to discuss how to make MSMEs more resilient through Disaster Risk Financing. Ellen introduced the ongoing work of SEADRIF and its role in the ASEAN+3 Disaster Risk Finance Initiatives. She explained how governments can use SEADRIF to create a resilient environment for MSMEs, utilizing products such as parametric insurance and insuring critical public assets through the public assets financial protection program.
SEADRIF appreciates the opportunity to convene with various stakeholders and move forward with the agenda of building financial resilience in the region.