2011年-世界发展银行全球_Caribbean_Remittance_Forum_on_Enhancing_the_Efficiency_and_Integrity_of_Remittance_Transfers_through_Effective_Regulatory_and_Supervisory_Systems_in_the_Caribbean_36页_2mb

Caribbean Remittance Forum Summary

Overview

The Caribbean Remittance Forum, organized by the World Bank, the Government of Canada, and the University of the West Indies, Mona, took place on March 24-25, 2011, in Kingston, Jamaica. The forum aimed to enhance the efficiency and integrity of remittance transfers in the Caribbean region through the development and implementation of effective regulatory and supervisory systems.

Objective

The main objective of the forum was to:

• Share knowledge and foster policy dialogue among stakeholders in the remittance sector.
• Identify common challenges and discuss potential solutions.
• Promote networking and collaboration between regional and international entities.
• Explore ways to improve the regulatory framework for Remittance Service Providers (RSPs) in the Caribbean and beyond.

Target Audience

The forum was intended for:

• National authorities, including regulators and supervisors of RSPs, and staff of Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs) from the Caribbean, Canada, and other interested countries.
• Representatives of RSPs, remittance market analysts, and regulatory experts from both within and outside the Caribbean region.

Key Focus Areas

The forum addressed the following key topics:

• Assessment of regional remittance and migration trends: Including the impact of the global economic slowdown on remittance flows and GDP of Caribbean countries.
• Tools to reduce remittance costs: With a focus on achieving the 5x5 objective set by the G8 and the World Bank, which aims to reduce the cost of remittances to 5% or less by 2015.
• Regulatory oversight and supervision practices: Discussing the challenges faced by RSPs and best practices in implementing a risk-based regulatory framework.
• Compliance and anti-money laundering (AML) measures: Including Customer Due Diligence (CDD), threshold reporting, and transparency in remittance markets.
• Emerging technologies: Exploring how mobile phone technology and other innovations can be used to facilitate and grow remittance markets.
• Access to formal remittance services: Identifying regulatory obstacles faced by migrant workers and their families and proposing solutions tailored to local conditions.

Value Added

The forum provided a platform to:

• Discuss best practices and lessons learned from various studies and initiatives.
• Highlight the importance of formal remittances in supporting economic development in countries like Haiti and Jamaica.
• Foster competition and transparency in the remittance market.
• Encourage sound migration policies and integration of Caribbean migrants into Canada.

Outcome

The forum aimed to:

• Identify specific initiatives that can be implemented by both authorities and the private sector to support stakeholders.
• Develop a road map for remittances in the Caribbean, including action plans for improving the regulatory environment.

Organizers

• The World Bank: Through its Financial Market Integrity Unit and Jamaica County Unit in the Latin America and Caribbean Vice Presidency.
• Government of Canada: Through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).
• University of the West Indies, Mona: As a key associate in organizing the event.

Key Speakers and Moderators

Mrs. Seana Benjamin-Mack

• Deputy Director, Statistics Department, Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB).
• 11 years of experience in national accounts and balance of payments (BOP) compilation.
• Previously served as Country Economist for Saint Lucia and St Kitts and Nevis.
• Currently heads the National Accounts and Balance of Payments Unit at ECCB.

Mr. Chris Bold

• Microfinance Specialist at CGAP.
• Previously worked with the UK Department for International Development (DFID) on Branchless Banking and financial inclusion.
• Led DFID's work on Government payments and financial inclusion.
• Has a BSc in Science from the University of Cambridge and a Masters in Development and Social Policy from the London School of Economics.

Mrs. Martha Celedon

• Sr. Compliance Manager at Western Union International.
• Manages compliance and AML programs in the Central America and Caribbean Region.
• Over 12 years of experience in the compliance field.
• Holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Management from Devry University of Florida.

Mr. Murray Dugger

• Former Canada Customs officer with 10 years of experience.
• Played a key role in developing cross-border currency reporting regulations in Canada.
• Currently works at FINTRAC, the Canadian anti-money laundering agency.
• Primary point of contact for law enforcement in Western Canada.

Mr. Paul S. Dwyer, Jr.

• CEO of Viaméricas Corporation, a leading remittance company.
• Has 25 years of experience in the mobile money transfer industry.
• Previously a partner at Wilmer, Cutler & Pickering, a law firm specializing in Latin American business transactions.
• Holds degrees in Latin American Studies, International Business, and Harvard Law School.

Mr. Isaku Endo

• Financial Sector Specialist in the Payment Systems Development Group (PSDG) at the World Bank.
• Leads policy development projects and technical assistance programs related to remittances and AML/CFT.
• Has published numerous World Bank working papers on remittances and financial inclusion.
• Previously worked as a law firm specialist and research scholar at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Ms. Katleen Felix

• Project Director for the Haitian Diaspora Liaison at Fonkoze.
• Oversees remittance technology procurement, Haitian Diaspora relations, and financial literacy for new immigrants.
• Has a bachelor and master degree in Finance & International Business from HEC Montreal.
• Active in microfinance and economic development initiatives and community leadership.

Mr. Noel L. Guinto

• Manager in the Core Information Technology Specialist Group (CITSG) at the Central Bank of the Philippines.
• Involved in drafting and revising technology-related regulations.
• A Certified Public Accountant and Certified Information Systems Auditor.
• Has presented on mobile commerce and its potential in financial inclusion.

Mrs. Jacinth Hall-Tracey

• Managing Director of Lasco Financial Services Limited (LFSL), one of Jamaica's largest MoneyGram agents.
• Certified in Corporate Treasury and Cash Management and pursuing an MBA.
• Active in professional organizations such as the Cambio Association of Jamaica and the Jamaica Money Remitters Association.

Mr. Earl Jarrett

• General Manager of the Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS).
• Heads a multinational financial institution with operations in the UK, USA, Canada, and the Cayman Islands.
• Holds a M.Sc. (Hons.) in Accounting and is a Fellow Chartered Accountant (FCA).
• Active in various industry and community organizations.

Mr. Peter Kelly

• Executive Director of the M-Via Foundation.
• Founded m-Via Inc., the first U.S.-based international mobile money transfer service.
• Has extensive experience with leading technology companies like Skytel, Verizon Wireless, and Google.
• Advocates for federal regulation of the money transfer industry in the U.S.

Mr. Claremont Kirton

• Professor of Development Economics at the University of the West Indies, Mona.
• Founding member of the Caribbean Diaspora Economy Research Group (CDERG).
• Research interests include diaspora economics, regional integration, and financial sector performance.

Mr. Auguste Kouame

• Sector Leader for Poverty Reduction and Economic Management (PREM) and Lead Economist for the Caribbean at the World Bank.
• Previously worked on the World Development Report and served as Country Economist for several Caribbean countries.
• Holds a PhD in Economics from Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales (EHESS), Paris.

Ms. Leesa Kow

• General Manager of JN Money Services Limited, a major remittance provider in Jamaica.
• Previously held key roles in marketing, promotions, and sales for the Jamaica National Building Society.
• Holds a BSc in Management Studies and Accounting and a Master of Science in International Business from the University of the West Indies.

Mr. David Landsman

• Executive Director of the National Money Transmitters Association (NMTA).
• Has over 35 years of experience in the money transfer industry.
• Has testified before Congressional committees and is a consultant and expert witness in AML and compliance matters.
• Advocates for federal regulation of the money transfer industry in the U.S.

Conclusion

The forum served as a critical platform for regulatory and supervisory stakeholders to collaborate, share insights, and develop actionable strategies for improving the efficiency and integrity of remittance transfers in the Caribbean. It emphasized the importance of technology, transparency, and policy alignment in fostering financial inclusion and economic development in the region.