Microfinance Focus, October 13, 2011: Citi Latin America organizes Financial Inclusion Week that will host events to bring together experts in the industry to discuss issues on microfinance, entrepreneurship, institutional strengthening and financial capabilities. The Financial Inclusions Week, from October 10-14, will take place in San Jose, Costa Rica.

Citi has partnered with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and SEEP network to organize the Financial Inclusion Week. Citi and the Citi Foundation, committed to the economic empowerment of individuals and families, are the main sponsors of the IDB's XIV edition of the Inter-American Forum of Micro Businesses (FOROMIC), the region's most important event on microfinance. A group of specialists on the subject, including top Citi executives, will gather to exchange ideas on how to create a space of dialogue among micro business institutions and relevant players in the public and private sector.

The Citi Foundation will provide the winners of the FOROMIC awards leadership trainings microfinance institution directors offered by the Wharton School of Business (in partnership with Women's World Banking -- WWB); a specialized management course for microfinance institution managers offered by INCAE (in partnership with Red Financiera Rural -- RFR); and capacity building sessions at the SEEP Network conference in Washington, D.C. This is meant to help them improve their operations and business results, while providing the microfinance and entrepreneurship sectors with incentives to enhance their performance and exceed expectations.

"As part of our efforts to promote economic empowerment, Citi is honored to sponsor and participate in events that come together to constitute what we have called Financial Inclusion Week," said Bob Annibale, Global Director of Citi Microfinance and Community Development. "This year, we are not only recognizing micro entrepreneurs that have made strong contributions to the economic and social development of their communities but we are also announcing Pro-Savings, a pioneering program that aims to create new business models for micro entrepreneurs. Furthermore, we are facilitating the Regional Summit of Microfinance Networks in order to create a space where microfinance institutions can share best practices, learn from each other and build strategic alliances among themselves."