Specific measures include upgrading the funds transfer systems, migrating all magnetic stripe for ATM card and credit card infrastructure to a chipenabled environment, and introducing payment platforms that leverages on the Internet to promote users' confidence and safeguard consumers' interests. Malaysia is the first country in the Asia Pacific  BIS Review 86/2005  3  region that has mandated the migration of ATM cards to chip based cards and has also been the first to complete the implementation of a national migration to EMV chip based credit cards. This is essentially to combat fraud in payment instruments. A number of other initiatives have also been put in place to create greater awareness among the public regarding counterfeit banknotes and to promote increased consumer understanding on credit card usage and protection. As we advance forward, changes in the financial landscape will continue to be dynamic and the level of complexity and sophistication in the financial markets will further intensify. While considerable efforts have been undertaken to empower consumers through financial education and enhance protection for consumers, much remains to be done in fostering the commitment of financial service providers to sound business practices and promoting fair and equitable treatment of consumers. Given the global dimension of financial services and the increasing interdependence of financial markets, efforts by individual countries to strengthen consumer protection need to be matched by efforts to enhance safeguards at the international level.
While regulators have an important role in promoting consumer protection and education, it is equally important to galvanise support and collaboration from all market participants - financial service  2  BIS Review 86/2005  providers, government agencies, educators and consumer associations and community-based organisations, toward effective implementation of the initiatives. Let me take this opportunity to share with you the experience of Malaysia in promoting consumer protection and education. The Malaysian economy has transitioned from a production-based economy towards a knowledge-driven economy, with small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) assuming an increasingly significant role in the economy. The financial sector has also evolved accordingly to facilitate this economic transformation process, with a growing trend towards greater deregulation and market orientation. To achieve a more efficient, competitive and resilient financial system, Malaysia has formulated a blueprint that outlines the roadmap for the development of the financial sector. The Financial Sector Master Plan which was issued in 2001 outlines the key strategies for the development of the financial sector. Amongst the important strategies implemented has been the development of the consumer protection framework and the enabling infrastructure to protect consumers' interests while at the same time to enhance their financial capability to participate effectively in the financial system. Bank Negara Malaysia has adopted a multi-pronged approach in empowering consumers. As a central bank in an emerging market economy, our mandate is broader than our counterparts in the more advanced and mature economies. We have the important role of developing the financial sectors.