Merchant Digitization Summit 2021: Towards AatmaNir bhar Bharat

Merchant Digitization Summit 2021: Towards AatmaNir bhar Bharat

Part of: GS Prelims and GS – III – Economy; IT

In news

• Merchant Digitization Summit 2021: Towards AatmaNirbhar (Self Reliance) Bharat was recently held.
• Hosts: The Government of India, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), and UN-based Better Than Cash Alliance 
• Special focus: Himalayan Regions, North East Regions and Aspirational Districts of India.

Important value additions 

Better Than Cash Alliance 

• Based at the United Nations.
• It is a partnership of governments, companies and international organizations.
• It accelerates the transition from cash to responsible digital payments.
• It has 75 members.
• The Alliance Secretariat works with members to digitize payments by:

1. Providing advisory services based on their priorities.
2. Sharing action-oriented research and fostering peer learning on responsible practices.
3. Conducting advocacy at national, regional and global level.

• It was created in 2012. 
• Launched by: United Nations Capital Development Fund, the United States Agency for International Development, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Citigroup, the Ford Foundation, the Omidyar Network, and Visa Inc.

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