Roundtable 2: MSME-Focused Regulatory Innovation: Bridging the $2.5T Credit Gap and Removing Barriers for Asia's Economic Backbone

Actionable Outcomes: Define practical regulatory approaches that lower compliance barriers for MSMEs and enhance financial inclusion

With over 90% of enterprises in the Asia-Pacific being MSMEs, this sector remains the region’s economic backbone yet continues to face significant hurdles in accessing capital. This roundtable will focus on 2026 regulatory innovations designed to dismantle these barriers, moving beyond traditional lending toward integrated, technology-first ecosystems. Participants will discuss the shift toward "Regulatory-by-Design" principles, where compliance logic is embedded directly into transaction flows. The dialogue will explore simplified compliance for MSME-focused fintechs, the transition to alternative credit scoring models using real-time data, and the role of open banking in creating interoperable credit information ecosystems. By bringing together regulators and leaders from the private sectors, this session aims to identify concrete steps to level the playing field for micro-enterprises and drive regional financial inclusion.