Microfinance Focus, October 14, 2010 (Colombo) : Chandula Abeywickrema, Chairman of BWTP Network and Deputy GM (Marketing & Retail Banking) of Hatton National Bank, introduced the guest speaker, whose stage appearance at the forum was brought forward due to unforeseen circumstances. Mr Chandula announced, “We are indeed privileged to recognize the presence of Dr Sarath Amunugama, despite his mother’s passing away in the early morning of this day. He has also just arrived back from New York from a conference. . . . → Read More: Speech by Sri Lanka Minister of Finance
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Microfinance Focus, October 13, 2010 (Colombo) : A three day milestone event in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The Asia Microfinance Forum 2010 is convened by The Banking With the Poor Network (BWTP) and organised by The Foundation for Development Cooperation (FDC), with the Citi Foundation as Lead Sponsor, and Hatton National Bank as Local Host. Delegates in panel session Asia Microfinance Forum 2010 Registration of delegates Conference Pack and Traditional Oil Lamp Momento (inside) The Venue . . . → Read More: Asia Microfinance Forum 2010 at a glance [Day 1] Microfinance Focus, October 14, 2010 (Colombo) : An interactive Q&A session with many hands, questions and points raised, most unfortunate to be curbed by time constraints. An insightful session facilitated by Paula Bennett, Director of Corporate Citizenship, Citi Asia Pacific. Question: Regarding financial literacy, they are non-financial services. Do you have to partner with other companies or even international organisations to carry it out? I am from Bangladesh and our government is beginning to put an interest cap to MFIs . . . → Read More: Q&A : Financial Literacy – Who’s Responsibility? From right: Valerie Breda, Samadanie, Paula Bennett, Benita Matthew Microfinance Focus, October 14, 2010 (Colombo) : Valerie Breda, Microfinance Expert of ILO Regional Office for Asia (Thailand), said considerately, “As the 3rd speaker, I hope everyone is not too hungry so I will make it short. Yesterday when we were discussing this topic of financial literacy among the panelists, Paula asked “what is your own level of financial literacy?”. We joked that there is thin scope of improvement. I . . . → Read More: Financial Literacy : Who’s Responsibility? (Valerie Breda) Benita Sarah Matthew Microfinance Focus, October 14, 2010 (Colombo) : An essential determinant of inclusion is the capacity of clients to fully engage with financial institutions and having a full understanding of both money management and the products being offered, such as being educated about savings. While the number of MFIs providing financial literacy education programs to clients is increasing, there remains the belief that providing these programs is costly and not the core business of financial institutions. The . . . → Read More: Financial Literacy – Who’s Responsibility? (Benita Sarah Matthew) Question (by Rose): How does one agree to a common law to regulate a large number of institutions with so many different interests? Gerardo Butardo: For me, each country has a unique need that will provide a platform and extent in which regulation can be done. At Bangko, we have taken MF as a great potential in the finance industry and central bank has adopted the policies of BASEL. Policies depend on each country, but the Bangko Central is flexible . . . → Read More: Q & A: Policy Making – Are we getting the framework right? Gerardo Burtado, Acting Deputy Director of Bangko Sentral (Philippines) Microfinance Focus, October 14, 2010 (Colombo) : Gerardo Butardo, Acting Deputy Director of MSME Finance Specialist Group of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, “Good morning to everyone, I am going to equate this to what we are Doing at Bangko. Let me start by showing a map of the Philippines, access to financial services is still a challenge in the Philippines. Out of 1706 municipalities, 609 or rather 36%, still have . . . → Read More: Policy Making – Are we getting the framework right? (Gerardo Butardo) Matthew Titus, Executive Director, Sa Dhan (India) Microfinance Focus, October 14, 2010 (Colombo) : Matthew Titus, Executive Director of Sa Dhan, opened his speech with a prop, “I thought it is important for me to talk about the process of policy making and characterization. In India, policies appear by the hour *audience chorus in laughter*. I noticed at the breakfast table not many people ate the bananas, *takes out a banana* this is extreme sweet banana, I think everyone . . . → Read More: Policy Making – Are we getting the framework right? (Matthew Titus) John Conroy, Special Consultant, FDC (Australia) Microfinance Focus, October 14, 2010 (Colombo) : John Conroy, Special Consultant of FDC, began sharing his insights with a candidly with a light joke, “May I draw your attention to the extensive coverage of our event in the newspaper, may i urge you not to read it while i am working because it makes me most insecure. I am going to talk about policy making. Policy and regulation for microfinance in Asia (book . . . → Read More: Policy Making – Are we getting the framework right? (John Conroy) From left: Rose Cooray, John Conroy, Gerardo Burtado, Matthew Titus Microfinance Focus, October 14, 2010 (Colombo) : In 1998 FDC and the BWTP Network, together with the Asian Development Bank, published the first substantial research into regulation and policy in Asia- ‘Getting the Framework Right’. It highlighted the need for conducive microfinance regulatory environments in the region’s national industries. 12 years on, the industry has come a long way in terms of regulatory frameworks, but much remains to be . . . → Read More: Policy Making – Are we getting the framework right? (Rose Cooray) From left: Bai Chengyu, Nina Nayar, Maud Savary-Mornet, Sok Voeurn Microfinance Focus, Oct 13, 2010: Microfinance institutions in many countries have recently faced severe challenges in terms of portfolio quality resulting from both internal and external factors. The sector is encountering significant obstacles in terms of over indebtedness, portfolio management issues, the global financial crisis and the wider credit environment. For a sector which has a double bottom line, the need to manage social impact with financial viability is . . . → Read More: Transaction and Portfolio Risk Management (Inclusiveness and Sustainability) Nimal Fernado (front) facilitating the Q&A session Q&A opened to the ground audience Microfinance Focus, October 13, 2010 (Colombo) : The Q & A session facilitated actively by Nimal Fernando served to clarify the doubts and future goals of the Sri Lanka microfinance industry. Question: On Mr Wijewardena’s idea of commercial banks dedicating 5% of their resources to microfinance, how does that go about, is it subsidies or sponsorship etc? Also about the points regarding MF’s small contribution . . . → Read More: Sri Lanka Special Session: Q & A From left: Nimal Fernado, Rienzie Wijewardena, P.A. Kiriwandeniya, W.M. Karunaratne, W.A. Wijewardena Microfinance Focus, October 13, 2010 (Colombo) : P.A.Kiriwandeniya, Chairman, SANASA, Sri Lanka shared his years of experience and gave some ideas on the history and the ways in which microfinance progressed in Sri Lanka. ” It is my pleasure to share my views and experience with you. When we discussed banking with the poor more than 15 years ago, it brings up memories how we stirred up . . . → Read More: Sri Lanka Special Session: State of the Industry and ways forward (Kiriwandeniya) Microfinance Focus, October 13, 2010 (Colombo) : The Q&A session began with Rajendra Theagarajah facilitating the discussion between panelists and the audience. Question: How do you balance and incentivise a professional for spending time in microfinance? In terms of management, what is the situation in India and do you think the legal structure comes in place for governance? Alok: You can look at large corporations, or middle tiered corporations for good governance, but we do face challenges with the smaller . . . → Read More: Plenary Session: Governance and Management Q & A Microfinance Focus, October 13, 2010 (Colombo) : Alok Prasad, CEO of Microfinance Institutions Network (India), added that “Our network was formed about a year ago. About corporate governance, it means different to different people. It seems to me that good governance is more than an ideal of perfect justice and democracy. At a part of our work, we come up with guidelines and frameworks, but frankly, it goes beyond papers. When it comes to the real world, corporate greed and . . . → Read More: Plenary Session: Governance and Management (Alok Prasad) Greg Chen, Regional Rep for South Asia, CGAP Focus, October 13, 2010 (Colombo) : Recent years have revealed significant challenges for those responsible for maintaining the mission, growth and sustainability of Asia’s microfinance institutions. A key trend in those MFIs that have maintained strong portfolios continued a healthy growth trajectory, limited staff turnover and continued to attract investment is the strength of their overall governance and management. However, experience is uneven across the region. The recent annual ‘Microfinance Banana . . . → Read More: Plenary Session: Governance and Management (Greg Chen) Mary Ellen Iskenderian (right) Dolores Torres (left) Microfinance Focus, October 13, 2010 (Colombo) : Mary Ellen Iskenderian, President and CEO of Women’s World Banking, opened the first day’s discussion with a foray into how the microfinance industry can play a role in providing full range of financial services to the poor. She pointed out that MFIs play an important role. “I see firstly, the unique relation MFIs have with their clients, to understand their needs. In terms of the . . . → Read More: Opening Keynote Panel: The Role of Microfinance in Achieving Financial Inclusion (Mary Ellen Iskenderian) From left: W M Karunaratne, Dolores Torres, Mary Ellen, Iskenderian, Philip Brown Microfinance Focus, October 13, 2010 (Colombo) : Dolores Torres, President and CEO of CARD MRI, a Philippines-based MFI, said “Good morning, it is a great privilege for us to share the experiences from the ground. I thought that I should share about the Philippines, we started with a 1 USD capital and with some help, we were able to launch a credit and savings programme. We were . . . → Read More: Opening Keynote Panel: The Role of Microfinance in Achieving Financial Inclusion (Dolores Torres) Microfinance Focus, October 13, 2010 (Colombo) : ‘Asia Microfinance Forum 2010’ kicked start today at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel, Colombo, Sri Lanka. The event gathers over 450 industry experts, investors, leading microfinance practitioners, policymakers, academics and advocates from no less than 50 countries. The backdrop to the conference is the relative strength and unprecedented surge in microfinance growth in Asia, despite the challenges of the recent financial crisis witnessed by the industries. Hence this year’s theme “ financial . . . → Read More: Opening Address: Asia Microfinance Forum |
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