The Philippines’ economic recovery from COVID-19 can be accelerated by tech-ing up its industries with nascent innovations which can bring it to the next global level. Widespread digital adoption of breakthroughs like open finance, cybersecurity, and the “new money” can transform and strengthen companies and make them competitive in the international arena. This road map to full nationwide digitalization, revolutionizing sectors like finance, property, insurance, e-sports, among others, will be laid out by tech experts, government heads, and business leaders in the World Fintech Festival (WFF) to be held virtually on November 11-12.
The WFF, the global version of the Singapore Fintech Festival, one of the top worldwide tech events, is co-organized by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), the Lion State’s central bank; GeiserMaclang Marketing Communications, Inc. (GMCI); and Digital Pilipinas, the national movement that leverages on technology to solve age-old challenges that slow down progress. It is the Philippines’ second consecutive year to join the WFF’s host countries which include Australia, Brazil, Cambodia, Denmark, Hungary, India, Japan, Kenya, Nigeria, and the United States.
“Now on our second consecutive year, the Philippines’ participation in the WFF can steer our national progress more quickly into a newer, more technologically advanced direction,” says Amor Maclang, Digital Pilipinas Convenor and GMCI Co-founder. “Despite---or perhaps because of---the challenges brought by the pandemic, our government, the business community, and our people have proven themselves agile when it comes to technological adoption. E-commerce, cryptocurrency, cybersecurity, and other forms of tech are rising and being integrated into our society. Yet we are only seeing the beginning. The WFF and Digital Pilipinas will show us other innovations and the next critical steps we must adopt not just to excel, but take our place as a tech and economic hub in the region.”
Securing your financial footprint
The WFF’s first panel, “The Future of Finance is Asian and Digital,” will show how legislators and banking institutions can work together to create the right digital infrastructure that supports Open Finance. In the standardization of application programming interfaces (APIs), users will have more control of their financial footprint to experience seamless transactions and tap opportunities in business, loans, and employment.
The second panel, “ProTECHPinas: Technology and its Role in a More Cyber Secure and Cyber Defended Digital Philippines,” will discuss ways of protecting the real estate industry and the country from cyber threats. Important players who can neutralize cyber-assaults are white hat hackers, cybersecurity experts, data mining companies, and others who find and fill cybersecurity gaps. Setting the direction for this talk is the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).
The third panel, “InsurTech & HealthTech: Changing Healthcare Delivery and Protection through Technology,” will respond to industry challenges such as public perception of insurance, and the need to democratize the healthcare and insurance sectors for the public good. Officials from the Department of Health (DOH) and the insurance and healthtech sectors will help bring clarity and solutions.
E-sports, crypto, and women in tech
The fourth panel, “Asia as the Largest Fintech: Balancing Hypergrowth and Consumer Advocacy and Protection,” will stimulate conversations on how to secure the region's financial and technology leadership in this area. Another topic is the protection of consumers as both sellers and cybercriminals increase. This panel will be led by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and executives from digital payment platforms as well as mobility companies.
Given the important role that the youth play in shaping this country's digital future, e-sports and next-generation monetary assets such as cryptocurrency will be the main topic in the fifth panel, “How ‘New Money’ Looks at the Future of Money.” Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) officials, e-sports experts, and cryptocurrency connoisseurs will talk how the millennial and gen-z attitude to wealth can be a game-changer in this new financial space.
Finally, with diversity and inclusivity in mind, this year's WFF will also shine the spotlight on women leaders in the final panel “Women in Innovation, Finance, Governance & Technology: Inspirational Stories from Women Who Broke the Glass Ceiling.” They will share their insights and learning on how they are bringing their unique talents and views to frequently male-dominated industries. This panel will also discuss how digital tools are instrumental in opening once restricted doors in technology, finance, innovation, and governance to women.
To reserve your slots, please visit the WFF website at https://www.fintechfestival.sg/world-fintech-festival/. For more information, please visit the page of Digital Pilipinas https://www.facebook.com/DigitalPilipinas2021/