On February 18, INSME participated as an adviser in the inaugural meeting of the European Chapter of the SME Finance Forum, organized by the International Finance Corporation, a member of the World Bank Group.
The Forum gathers a global network of banks and fintech companies working to expand financing opportunities to SMEs and promotes collaboration through events and webinars focused on equity, sustainable finance, financial inclusion, fintech, policy and regulation.
The inaugural meeting aimed at building connections among participants and defining the strategic focus for the Regional Chapters, member-driven platforms aimed at fostering collaboration within specific geographic regions, in the coming year. INSME’s Secretary General Giovanni Zazzerini participated in the meeting as advisor and presented INSME’s activities.
The Regional Chapters’ initiatives bring together different stakeholders, including banks, fintech companies, investors, regulators, and development institutions. Their primary objective is to address local challenges in SME finance, share innovative models, and advocate for policy frameworks that are tailored to regional needs. Through a combination of virtual gatherings, networking events, and continuous engagement, the Chapters are set to strengthen partnerships, accelerate the adoption of digital solutions, and create synergies. Ultimately, these efforts are intended to help close the existing SME finance gap and promote responsible lending practices across various regions.
INSME strongly believes in the importance of the SME Finance Forum as a mean to grant consistent opportunities to SMEs, developing their network and ensuring support in their scale-up processes.
Source: IFC, INSME
