International Finance Corporation IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, has signed an agreement with Pakistan's NRSP Microfinance Bank to help develop Digital Financial Services (DFS) that will improve access to finance for the country's rural communities and underserved.
NRSP's microfinance operations focus on rural and agricultural markets. The advisory agreement with IFC will help the bank develop a DFS model to improve its outreach and expand market share, while offering comprehensive solutions for savings, deposits and other services.
Rashid Bajwa, Chairman of NRSP Microfinance Bank's board, said: "There is tremendous potential for DFS to drive microfinance growth in Pakistan. Our strategic focus for the coming years is to harness the power of innovation and new technologies to offer complete client solutions. IFC's global expertise and experience in implementing such models will help us fast track our outreach and efficiency goals."
The IFC advisory project is part of World Bank Group strategy to scale up financial inclusion and achieve universal financial access by 2020. Pakistan ranks fifth among financially excluded populations globally, with approximately 101 million people without access to financial services, including a significant number of small and medium enterprises.
Mohammed Khaled, Head of IFC's Microfinance Advisory Services in the Middle East and North Africa said: "This project will help demonstrate the tremendous benefits of using innovative banking methods to bring more people into the banked fold and unlock the potential of DFS to improve access to finance. Ultimately, this will lead to the creation of more jobs and higher tax payments, while better integrated financial systems will help increase growth and reduce inequality." Pakistan is a priority country for IFC. During the last three years, IFC has ramped up its investments and advisory services work in the country, helping to support the development of Pakistan's private sector.-PR
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