Closing Keynote: Asia Microfinance Forum 2010

Asia Microfinance Forum Mementos to take home

Microfinance Focus, Oct 15, 2010 (Colombo) : The Asia Microfinance Forum 2010 which gathered more than 450 experts from over 50 countries was concluded today in Colombo, Sri Lanka.  Convened by the Banking With the Poor Network (BWTP) and organised by the Foundation for Development Cooperation (FDC), the three day forum brought together industry experts to brainstorm on the role of microfinance in achieving financial inclusion in Asia.

Over the three days period, experts discussed . . . → Read More: Closing Keynote: Asia Microfinance Forum 2010

Q&A : Responsible Lending – A New Industry Benchmark?

From left: William Tucker, P.N. Vasudevan, Royston Braganza, John Conroy

Microfinance Focus, October 15, 2010 (Colombo) : William Tucker moderated and actively engaged the panel and audience in one of the most lively and insightful Q&A.

Comment from audience: Royston, I agree with everything you said, except for one small point, which will change the direction of our discussion completely. About whether commercial capital is desirable. What happened in India was the advent of commercial capital (referring to recent . . . → Read More: Q&A : Responsible Lending – A New Industry Benchmark?

Asia Microfinance Forum 2010 at a glance [Day 2]

Microfinance Focus, October 14, 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.

Lara Storm

AFM 2010 featured in the press (Daily FT)

Presentation example of success story

Series of workshops and networking meetings

. . . → Read More: Asia Microfinance Forum 2010 at a glance [Day 2]

Asia Microfinance Forum 2010 at a glance [Day 1]

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 Poll Results: House believes governments not doing enough

Microfinance Focus, Oct0ber 14, 2010 (Colombo) : At the Asia Microfinance Forum 2010, Microfinance Focus conducted an Opinion Poll to gauge the views and trends of the microfinance industry. Out of the 450 delegates who attended the forum, 144 participated in the poll and expressed their views on five issues including microfinance contribution to financial inclusion, impact of commercialization on the sector, relevance of client protection and social performance, role of governments in creating enabling environments and the role of . . . → Read More: Microfinance Focus Poll Results: House believes governments not doing enough

Financial Literacy – Who’s Responsibility? (Benita Sarah Matthew)

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)

Q & A: Policy Making – Are we getting the framework right?

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?

Policy Making – Are we getting the framework right? (Gerardo Butardo)

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)

Policy Making – Are we getting the framework right? (Matthew Titus)

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)

Policy Making – Are we getting the framework right? (John Conroy)

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)

Policy Making – Are we getting the framework right? (Rose Cooray)

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)

Sri Lanka Special Session: Q & A

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

Sri Lanka Special Session: State of the Industry and ways forward (Kiriwandeniya)

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)

Plenary Session: Governance and Management (Nimal Mamaduwa)

Conference Attendees at the Governance and Management session

Microfinance Focus, October 13, 2010 (Colombo) :Nimal Mamaduwa, General Manager & CEO of Sri Lanka based SANASA Development Bank, started with an introduction “We are the only cooperative bank operating in Sri Lanka and a household name. Most of you are familiar with our SANASA founder, Dr P.A. Kiriwandeniya. The ownership structure of the bank goes down to the grassroots – the members. We have micro-insurance campaign and education campaign for . . . → Read More: Plenary Session: Governance and Management (Nimal Mamaduwa)

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