Symbiotics NewsWatch #206, 17 April 2012

Apr. 15	Islamic Microfinance Indispensible For Poverty Alleviation in Arab Countries  United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in collaboration with USAID and CGAP jointly organised "Iraq Microfinance Policy Forum" on 10 and 11 April 2012 in Erbil-Iraq. The forum aimed to set up Policy Goals for Microfinance in Iraq, which was attended by high Government functionaries from Iraq Government, including Advisors to Prime Minister, Central Bank in Iraq, USAID, ILO, UNOPS, CGAP, UNHABITAT representatives. Source: CPI Financial
Apr. 12	From Under the Mattress and into the Bank: Increasing Financial Access for Women in Nigeria A growing chorus of voices is calling for a shift away from cash-based economies in the developing world. For governments, non-governmental organizations and companies focused on expanding financial access to the underserved, it is fast becoming a top priority. Not only is it too costly and unsustainable to reach people who rely solely on cash-based financial services, but relying solely on cash severely limits economic and social growth. Source: The Huffington Post
Apr. 12	East Africa: EIB Launches EUR 50m East Africa Microfinance Programme Small and micro businesses across East Africa will benefit from the European Investment Bank’s new EAC Microfinance Facility, launched today. The initiative will encourage job creation and increase access to long-term funding for micro and small enterprises through experienced local intermediaries. Faulu Kenya DTM and Co-operative Bank Kenya joined the EUR 50 million scheme today as the first regional partners. Source: The Information Daily
Apr. 12	India Joins Ranks of CGAP Members In a clear sign of its increasing influence on the global financial stage, India has today become the newest member of CGAP, the independent policy and research center housed at the World Bank dedicated to improving financial access for the world's poor. Source: MarketWatch
Apr. 10	New Credit-Risk Models for the Unbanked An alternative approach has emerged that would help lenders to build better risk models and help borrowers to receive improved and affordable products and services. Being pioneered by a handful of mobile operators, utilities, retailers, and direct-sales companies, the approach entails tapping into new forms data spun off from their core businesses to lend in responsible, low-touch and low-cost ways. Source: Center for Financial Inclusion
Apr. 10	India: Microlending Business Declines in 2011-12 Growth in the microfinance sector is set to decline for the second consecutive year ending 2011-12. This is due to the continuing crisis in Andhra Pradesh, where the collection of dues and fresh disbursal of loans have been hit since October 2010. Source: The Hindu Business Line