Day 2 – Session B1: Investing in Women MSMEs: Innovations and Trends
Adnan Rafiq, Senior Investment Specialist, ADB
Adnan Rafiq is a Senior Investment Specialist in the Private Sector Financial Institutions Division at the Asian Development Bank. In this role, he has led numerous transactions across various regions, including South Asia, Central Asia, and Southeast Asia. He played a key role in deploying the We-Fi grant in Vietnam, which was part of the senior loan transactions he led. Through We-Fi, banks in Vietnam have been incentivized to increase lending to women, introduce new products and services for women-led SMEs, train staff on gender-specific requirements, and enhance their MIS to generate sex-disaggregated data.
His transactions are closely aligned with ADB's strategic priorities, addressing poverty, promoting gender equality, and tackling climate change. Prior to joining ADB, Adnan worked in the private sector, spending a significant portion of his career with the investment banking arm of Credit Agricole, where he primarily focused on equity markets and M&A transactions. Adnan holds an MBA in finance from LUMS and is a graduate of University College London.
Aria Widyanto, President Director and Chief Risk and Sustainability Officer, Amartha
Aria is the President Director and Group Chief Risk and Sustainability Officer (CRSO) of Amartha. Operating as a digital microfinance lending platform, Amartha has disbursed more than US$2,1 billion in working capital to 3,3 million women MSMEs in 52,000 villages across rural Indonesia.
Aria also serves as the Advocate for Women Empowerment at G20 EMPOWER. Before joining Amartha, Aria was a banker at the MUFG Bank and Citibank NA. Aria graduated from UGM, a Master's degree in Sustainable Development from SOAS University of London, and is a Ph.D. candidate in international and rural development at the University of Reading, UK.
Joanna Maria Sarah Romero, Lead, Women’s Finance Exchange, Asian Development Bank
Joanna Romero is the Lead Gender Finance Expert and Co-lead of the Women’s Finance Exchange at the Asian Development Bank’s Private Sector Operations Department. In this role, she drives the development and execution of innovative financing solutions for women-led micro, small and medium enterprises (WMSMEs) through technical assistance programs and investment partnerships with financial institutions. With over 18 years in development finance, Joanna previously worked at the International Finance Corporation where she helped shape global programs such as SME Banking and Banking on Women. She has advised senior management teams of financial institutions worldwide on gender-inclusive finance strategies and SME market expansion. Her expertise spans Asia and the Pacific, Latin America, and Sub-Saharan Africa. Joanna holds a Master’s degree in International Trade and Investment Policy from the George Washington University.
Abid Qamar, Director, Agriculture Credit and Financial Inclusion Department, State Bank of Pakistan
Mr. Abid Qamar, a distinguished professional, is serving as Director – Agriculture Credit & Financial Inclusion Department of State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). His career at the central bank spans over 25 years with experiences as Economist, Communication Expert and Development Finance specialist. With a rich background in economic and financial development, he has become a driving force in advancing the financial inclusion initiatives with a focus on gender. Abid Qamar is known for his expertise in fostering collaboration between financial institutions, government agencies, media, and private sector partners to create an inclusive financial ecosystem.
He holds a Master’s degree from Williams College, USA in Development Economics. Mr. Abid Qamar is well versed with issues relating to Pakistan’s economy and has represented SBP at various national and international forums as well as in the print and electronic media on issues relating to the economy, banking and finance.
Tharindu Wijesinghe, SME Finance Consultant, ADB
Mr. Wijesinghe is a consultant with the ADB, specializing in project management for SME finance in Sri Lanka. He has supported ADB’s SME Line of Credit and Enhancing SME Finance projects, which expand access to finance and strengthen SME outreach. He has also contributed to advancing gender-focused financial inclusion through the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative (We-Fi) pilot in Sri Lanka and the ongoing We Finance Code, a multi-stakeholder commitment by regulators, development banks, and ecosystem partners to increase funding for women entrepreneurs. Prior to ADB, Mr. Wijesinghe held key roles at Ernst & Young Sri Lanka, focusing on banking sector risk management and compliance, and at National Development Bank PLC, where he led initiatives in credit management, finance, and SME banking, contributing to strategic decision-making and operational improvements. He is a member of the Institute of Bankers of Sri Lanka and holds an MBA from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, UK.
Wati M. Seeto, Manager - Financial Inclusion & Market Conduct, Reserve Bank of Fiji
Wati Seeto is a Fijian lawyer, financial regulator, and advocate for consumer protection and human rights. With over 25 years of legal experience—including 15 years in financial regulation—she currently serves as Fiji’s inaugural Financial Services Ombudswoman, appointed by the Reserve Bank of Fiji in 2024.
Ms. Seeto began her legal journey with an LLB from the University of the South Pacific in 1997, later earning an MBA from the same institution. Her early career included impactful work with the UK DFID Regional Rights Resource Team, where she trained communities and governments across the South Pacific in international human rights law and helped facilitate the ratification of key UN conventions.
In 2003, she founded the law firm Law Solutions, focusing on family and human rights law. Her regulatory career took shape at the Capital Markets Development Authority, and she transitioned to the Reserve Bank of Fiji in 2010, where she held several senior roles including Manager Legal, Manager Compliance, and Manager of Financial Inclusion and Market Conduct. Her leadership of the newly established Office of the Financial Services Ombuds marks a transformative step in strengthening consumer trust and transparency in Fiji’s financial sector.
Beyond her professional roles, Wati is Vice President of the Fiji Law Society, an accredited mediator with the Fiji Mediation Centre, and the country leader for the Global Leadership Summit Fiji. She also has served and continuous to serve as honorary advisor to various NGO’s and Netball Fiji and serves on the leadership team in her local church of the Salvation Army. She is married with 5 children and has a beautiful granddaughter.