Microfinance Delivery in Asia
Post-event Statement
This workshop was held at ADB, Manila from 4-8 October 2004. There were about 55 participants: 30 from developing member countries (DMCs), 20 speakers mainly from ADB and ADBI, and several observers. The workshop was a joint effort by ADBI, ADB, and the Inter-American Development Bank. The participants included microfinance practitioners and policy makers. Presentations focused on case studies from nine DMCs where ADB was most active in microfinance projects and operations. The workshop discussed the experiences in Asia and the Pacific as contrasted with those in Latin America, and considered the three major approaches adopted by ADB in Asia and the Pacific: the banking approach, the NGO approach, and the credit union approach. Some of the key findings were that - NGOs in Asia have achieved the largest outreach in the world;
- commercial banks involved in microfinance for profit motives may effectively reach the poor; and
- credit unions, formed and owned in rural communities in developing countries, can be quite profitable.
Some papers are published on this web site and all materials will later be available in an ADBI publication. |
Background
This workshop will review how ADB has approached microfinance in the region and assess the impact of microfinance programs in selected countries. Focus will be on modalities of microfinance delivery, including the NGO approach, the banking approach and the credit union approach, in countries where ADB has significant microfinance programs in operation (Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, Kyrgyz Republic, Nepal, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea and the Philippines).
Programs under review will include both stand-alone microfinance projects and projects with a substantial microfinance component. The first day of the workshop will be devoted to a LAEBA (Latin America/Caribbean Asia/Pacific Economics and Business Association) research seminar on microfinance in Latin America and Asia. Speakers from the Inter-American Development Bank, ADBI, and ADB, as well as other resource speakers will discuss differences in microfinance in the two regions. Topics covered in the research seminar will include poverty impact and the financing of microfinance.
Objectives
- Characterize Asian microfinance as distinguished from the Latin American model
- Critically review approaches to microfinance in each participating country
- Review our knowledge on the impact of microfinance in poverty reduction
- Review the sustainability of ADB-supported microfinance operations in the region
- Share knowledge on and lessons from successful cases
Outputs
Book and/or research paper "Modalities of Microfinance Delivery:ADB's Experiences in the Region."
Participants
25-30 representatives, including government officials and microfinance practitioners from ADB-supported NGOs and private banks, from countries in which ADB has significant microfinance programs in operation (Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, Kyrgyz Republic, Nepal, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea and the Philippines).
How to apply
Application is by invitation only.
Language
English (No interpretation is provided.)
Responsibilities
Participants are asked to bring with them relevant material relating to their own microfinance institution for discussion with the rest of the group. During the workshop, participants will draft a statement of key issues relating to the modality of microfinance delivery that ADB has chosen to use in their respective countries and may be asked to present their views on the effectiveness of this modality and its strengths and weaknesses.
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