Financial topics concerning Asia Pacific were discussed amid the rich cultural and artistic gems of the Philippines at the inaugural event of Asia Pacific Financial Inclusion Summit held in Manila recently.
The Metropolitan Museum played host to the welcome dinner organized by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and Citi Philippines. BSP Governor Amando Tetangco, Jr., was joined by Citi Asia Pacific chairman Shengman Zhang and Citi Philippines chief executive officer Aftab Ahmed in entertaining the guests, who were all leaders in the region and in other parts of the globe, united in their cause to promote financial inclusion.
Other VIPs present include BSP’s Deputy Governor Nestor Espenilla, Jr. and head of Inclusive Finance Pia Roman-Tayag, Monetary Board Members Juan de Zuniga Jr., Alfredo Antonio, and Val Araneta; Commission on Filipinos Overseas chair Imelda Nicolas; Citi Asia’s Corporate Affairs head Richard Tesvich, Citizenship head Regina Seow and Government Affairs head Catherine Simmons; Citi Philippines’ Corporate Affairs director Aneth Lim, Corporate Banking Risk head Arni Sangabriel and Public Sector head Dino Siason; Financial Times’ South Asia bureau chief Victor Mallet and Asia Pacific managing director Angela Mackay; and FDC executive governor Stephen Taylor.
As the Met is currently hosting a retrospective exhibit of National Artist Benedicto “Bencab” Cabrera until February 2016, the guests dined surrounded by the creative works of the critically acclaimed, Baguio-based artist. A cultural dance performance by Citi Philippines employees and a musical recital by the BSP choir capped the Philippine-themed dinner.
The Asia Pacific Financial Inclusion Summit gathered together 500 business, government and community stakeholders to participate in interactive and in-depth discussions around a variety of financial inclusion topics.