The Global SME Finance Forum is the largest, most technically in-depth, and geographically diverse conference on SME financing hosted around the world each year. Last year, as COVID-19 ushered the world unexpectedly, the decion was made to move the panels online and build a virtual community.
The event attracted over 2600 registrations from 1000+ commercial banks, development finance institutions, fintech companies, and regulators from 150+ countries, which broke our record for the number of registrations.
With people still apart, the aim is to build an even larger community while keeping everyone safe.
Therefore, the decion was to continue to hold the annual conference virtually. The virtual edition of the 2021 Global SME Finance Forum will be held over four consecutive days on October 18-21.
This year, the conference will convene global thought leaders, climate finance advocators, leading experts, and practitioners in the field of SME finance to share their visions, insights, and experiences in promoting green finance for SMEs. In addition to the in-depth discussion of how green finance would influence the development of Agri-finance, supply chain nance, and tourism, the conference will also include special regional sessions focusing primarily on the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and Europe.
The 4-day conference will use the latest technology to emulate the in-person experience, providing for one-on-one networking, sponsors booths, breakout sessions, fireside chats, and panel discussions, as well as the recognition of the 2021 Global SME Finance Awards winners. By going virtual, participants can also be offer on-demand content for those who cannot attend the sessions live due to work or personal commitments.