Panel Discussions

Rapid digitalisation is transforming how individuals earn, spend, save, borrow and invest. The emergence of artificial intelligence, digital financial services, online commerce and social media has created new opportunities for consumers while also introducing new risks. Traditional financial literacy alone is no longer sufficient.

Citizens increasingly require digital literacy, AI awareness, cybersecurity knowledge and critical decision-making skills to safely navigate the modern financial ecosystem. This session explores how financial literacy must evolve to prepare individuals for the future economy — and the roles of regulators, educational institutions, financial service providers and the media in building financially capable, digitally resilient communities.

The payments landscape is undergoing rapid transformation driven by digital innovation, customer expectations, financial inclusion objectives, and increasing demand for real-time transactions. Instant payment systems, interoperable QR payments, digital wallets and cross-border connectivity are reshaping how individuals, businesses and governments transact.

The Maldives has made significant progress through the FAVARA Instant Payment System, PayMV QR standards, and ongoing initiatives to enhance interoperability. This panel explores how payment systems can be designed to be fast, secure, resilient and inclusive while supporting innovation, economic growth and national digital transformation goals.

While traditional bank lending remains a cornerstone of financial inclusion, evolving economic demands suggest the need for a more comprehensive approach. Capital markets offer a complementary pathway, providing diverse channels for capital formation and savings mobilisation.

By extending financing options beyond conventional loans and facilitating broader investment participation through equities and bonds, capital markets can contribute significantly to a more resilient economy. This session examines the regulatory, institutional and infrastructure refinements required to make the capital market ecosystem more inclusive for issuers, investors and intermediaries.