Forum Overview

Forum Overview

(In Chinese)

Background

The Banking with the Poor (BWTP) network in collaboration with the Foundation for Development Cooperation (FDC), actively promotes the development of microfinance in Asia through programs of research, advocacy, policy dialogue, information sharing and capacity building. Drawing on this work, and the experience of its member organisations, the BWTP was happy to organise the 2006 Asia Microfinance Forum on the theme of “Partnerships and Innovations: Increasing the Impact of Microfinance in Asia”.

The central aim of the Forum was to examine the prospects for rapidly increasing and deepening the outreach of financial services to the poor in Asia. A particular focus was placed on the building of partnerships and innovative new business models that combine the resources of a range of different stakeholders, as well as highlighting ways to improve the policy environment for the growth of microfinance in the region. While the geographic focus is on Asia, the event also drew on examples and speakers from various countries to enhance the diversity of ideas and experiences of relevance to microfinance in the region.

The goals of the Forum:

• To encourage partnerships and cooperation in Asia among microfinance service providers, financiers and supporters in order to increase resources and peer learning in microfinance;
• To encourage the effective development of innovative products and approaches between the Banking With The Poor members and beyond,
• To lay the ground for further initiatives, including research and capacity building projects on the issues raised, to be undertaken by the Banking with the Poor network members