Client:
World Bank
Project title:
Informal Financial Services Assessment
Location
Myanmar
Dates:
August 2019 – January 2020
Description:
The main objective of the study is to collect and analyse empirical data on the demand and supply dynamics of informal financial services in Myanmar. The assessment:
- Determined what explains (continued) use of informal financial services in Myanmar. What explicit criteria are considered when choosing for a financial service (per product category),
- Determined perceptions of benefits and strengths of informal financial services, as well as perceptions of barriers to formal financial services;
- Understood financial needs of specific segments and analyse if there are patterns in demand for specific categories of financial services;
- Investigated supply of informal financial services by determining details on modalities, channels used to reach clients, and determining what ‘extra services’ are provided;
- Identified gaps where formal financial services are currently not serving financial needs;
- Identified opportunities and next steps to increase financial access and usage of formal financial services, and to deliver policy-oriented recommendations to the GoM
The scope of the study comprises a representative sample of both urban and rural communities, spanning a range of leading livelihood sources across the country, business sectors and economic circumstances, dynamics and opportunities, including: agriculture, aquaculture, coastal fisheries, small retail and garment.
