Remittances and Payments Program
This program, which is executed by the World Bank, aims to make the transfer of remittances, i.e. the money that is sent home by migrants, cheaper, safer and more convenient. This will result in an increase of the available resources for migrants and their families and in an increased usage of formal transfer channels and basic financial services.
| Country/region | Topic | Period | Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Albania Macedonia osteuropa Serbia Kosovo |
Economic and financial policy Private sector and entrepreneurship |
01.12.2014
- |
CHF 6'000'000
|
- World Bank - International Bank for Reconstruction and Development
-
Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation BANKING AND FINANCIAL SERVICES
Sub-Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation Remittance facilitation, promotion and optimisation
Cross-cutting topics principal
The project takes account of democratisation, good governance and human rights as cross-cutting themes.
Project number UR00909
| Background |
Today, the transfer of remittances is often inefficient, costly and intransparent. Inadequate legal and regulatory frameworks are at the heart of many of these problems. Also inefficient payments systems infrastructures often cause excessive costs. This program provides technical assistance to SECO partner countries in order to deal with these issues and to promote private sector solutions and new products for remittances transfers. Remittances are also used as a vector for extending basic financial services to populations that were formerly "unbanked". |
| Objectives |
The program aims to reduce the cost of sending remittances as well as to increase the percentage of remittances that is operated through formal channels and to extend basic financial services to formerly "unbanked" populations. |
| Medium-term outcomes |
Increased soundness and proportionality of the legal and regulatory framework. Increased level of competition in the remittances market. Increased efficiency of clearing and settlement systems among operators in the country. Increased usage of electronic payment systems. Introduction of new products for payment and remittances services. Improvement in knowledge of remittances mechanisms among migrants and recipients of remittances. Increased level of financial inclusion. |
| Results |
Expected results: Technical assistance delivered to relevant authorities to bring the legal framework and regulation of remittances payments into alignment with the General Principles for International Remittances Services. Technical assistance provided to ensure that public policies regarding payment systems infrastructure are aligned with the General Principles for International Remittances Services. Support for awareness raising campaigns on costs and opportunities of remittances targeting families of migrants receiving funds from abroad. |
| Directorate/federal office responsible |
SECO |
| Credit area |
Development cooperation |
| Project partners |
Contract partner |
| Budget | Current phase Swiss budget CHF 6'000'000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF 0 Budget inclusive project partner CHF 12'000'000 |
| Project phases | Phase 1 01.12.2014 - 31.03.2020 (Completed) |