Discussion/Working Papers

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Browsing Discussion/Working Papers by Author "Kelegama, Saman"

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    Financial inclusion, regulation, and education in Sri Lanka
    (Asian Development Bank, 2014-11) Kelegama, Saman; Tilakaratna, Ganga
    Sri Lanka has achieved a high level of financial inclusion compared to other South Asian countries. Its financial sector comprises a wide range of financial institutions providing financial services such as loans, savings, pawning, leasing and finance, and remittance and money transfer facilities. There is also evidence that a larger share of households in Sri Lanka accesses multiple financial institutions for their credit and savings needs. However, the use of insurance services, ATM facilities, e-payments, and mobile banking, is relatively low. Financial education is ad hoc and lags behind financial innovation and new products. The information technology (IT) literacy rate is only 35% in Sri Lanka, and with the growing IT–finance nexus, financial awareness and education have become all the more important. Strengthening the regulatory framework governing the microfinance sector and client protection is also crucial for improving financial inclusion in Sri Lanka. Much scope remains to improve financial inclusion, particularly related to cost and quality of financial services provided, and the sustainability of financial institutions.
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    Regional Economic Cooperation And Connectivity In South And South-West Asia: Potential And Challenges
    (2013-10-01) Kelegama, Saman; Abayasekara, Ashani
    Although South and South-West Asian countries helped drive global economic recovery in 2010,this study suggests that economic integration and cooperation in the sub-region is low and below potential, especially compared to East Asia. Not only do additional possibilities exist for mutually beneficial cooperation, but regional economic integration and cooperation is also essential if the sub-region is to sustain its growth momentum, and address its key development challenges in future. This process involves enhancing intra-regional trade; removing obstacles to inter-regional trade in services; allowing a freer movement of labor; developing deeper and more crisis-resilient financial markets; and coordinating appropriate monetary and fiscal policies. Enhancing regional connectivity is a multifaceted task that requires the implementation of bold policy initiatives at the national and regional levels, and in many different areas. Such a task could sustain the sub-region's dynamism in decades to come andreduce the wide disparities in economic opportunities within and across South and South-West Asian countries.
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