Mr. Shaji K V took over as Chairman, National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) on 07 December 2022. NABARD is the Government of India owned apex bank for agriculture and rural development and acts as a development bank, regulator of agriculture credit and Supervisor of Rural Financial Institutions in the country. Previously, he served as Deputy Managing Director of NABARD from 21 May 2020 to 06 December 2022.
Prior to joining NABARD, Mr. Shaji was associated with a scheduled commercial bank in India (Canara Bank). His area of expertise includes Retail Banking, SME Banking and Corporate Banking in rural, urban and metro areas. Mr. Shaji has also handled banking coordination and policy matters for over 6 years as in-charge of State Level Bankers’ Committee, Kerala. He was instrumental in the merger of Syndicate Bank a public sector bank in India with Canara Bank. He also handled amalgamation of two Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) to establish Kerala Gramin Bank, the then largest RRB in India.
A post-graduate in agriculture science, Mr. Shaji holds a Post Graduate Degree in Management (PGDM) with specialisations in Public Policy and infrastructure finance from the prestigious Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Ahmedabad, India. He is also a certified associate of the Indian Institute of Banking & Finance (IIBF) and holds a Diploma in Treasury, Investments and Risk Management.
Mr. Shaji currently serves as Chairman of subsidiaries of NABARD viz., M/s NABARD Consultancy Services Limited (NABCONS), M/s NABSanrakshan Trustee Company Private Limited, M/s NABVENTURES Limited and M/s NABFOUNDATION. He is also Chairman of the Governing Council of the Bankers Institute of Rural Development (BIRD) and a member of the Board of Directors of M/s Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC), India.
As an industry leader, he was also Director of various organizations such as National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), Canara HSBC OBC Insurance Company Ltd. and Canara Bank Securities Ltd.
Special Interest Groups (SIGs) has been established as targeted, practitioner-led platforms to address critical development financing challenges across ADFIAP-member DFIs. Coordinated jointly by the Focal Team of Special Interest Groups (FT-SIG)—led by the Agricultural and Rural Development Bank (ARDB) of Cambodia and the ADFIAP Secretariat—the SIG initiative enables member banks to exchange evidence-based practices, diagnose institutional bottlenecks, and formulate joint action plans.
SIG 1: Integrated Financial Instruments and Guarantees
SIG 2: Sustainable Finance (Green and Climate Finance)
SIG 3: Sustainable Infrastructure
SIG 4: Digital Technology and Transformation
SIG 5: Affordable and Sustainable Housing
SIG 6: Agriculture and Food Security
Venue: TBA
Sri Lanka’s recent economic journey has been marked by significant challenges, but also by bold reforms, renewed investor confidence, and a growing commitment to sustainable, future‑ready finance.
SIS1 examines how the country is reshaping its financial landscape – strengthening institutions, modernizing regulatory frameworks, and accelerating digital and green finance initiatives – to build a more resilient and competitive economy. The discussion will highlight how Sri Lanka’s experience offers valuable insights for development finance institutions across the region: from managing crisis recovery and restoring stability to mobilizing private capital, expanding SME support, and fostering innovation through fintech and digital banking. It will also explore how Colombo’s strategic position and emerging financial capabilities create new opportunities for regional collaboration, investment, and knowledge exchange.
By spotlighting Sri Lanka’s transformation, this session invites delegates to view the host country not only through the lens of its challenges but also as a source of practical lessons, partnership potential, and shared regional opportunity.
Climate change demands urgent, coordinated action. This session will highlight innovative financing tools like blended finance, green bonds, and climate funds that enable institutions to expand climate-smart projects. It will feature partnerships promoting renewable energy adoption, sustainable agriculture, and circular economy initiatives. The discussion will emphasize how regional collaboration can unlock climate finance and secure fair transitions for vulnerable communities.
Digital technologies are reshaping how economies operate, creating new pathways for financial access, innovation, and competitiveness. This session examines how fintech partnerships, digital banking, and regional digital platforms can broaden inclusion – especially for underserved communities that remain outside the formal financial system. Strengthening cybersecurity, data governance, and digital literacy will be emphasized as essential foundations for trust in the digital economy. At the same time, the discussion will highlight how SMEs can use these digital tools to scale their operations, improve productivity, and connect with regional and global markets. Financing mechanisms, capacity-building programs, and market access initiatives will be showcased, along with the role of regional collaboration, trade agreements, and innovation hubs in accelerating SME growth. This session positions digital transformation as a catalyst for empowering SMEs and advancing more inclusive, sustainable economic development across the region
Prosperity must be inclusive to be sustainable. This discussion will highlight partnerships that ensure marginalized groups—such as women, youth, rural communities, and persons with disabilities—benefit from regional growth. It will showcase programs that promote financial inclusion, social protection, and equitable access to opportunities. The session will focus on how inclusive policies and collaborative efforts strengthen community resilience and foster shared prosperity.
