Options for the future of the Banking with the Poor (BWTP) Network were the focus of a teleconference organised by the Network’s Executive Committee in October 2002. Led by its Chairman Mr Bambang Ismawan (Bina Swadaya, Indonesia), with FDC observers, Executive Director, Beris Gwynne and Microfinance Program Officer, Pascal Marino, the Executive Committee comprised Mr Zulfiqar Ahmad of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, Pakistan, Mr D. Wijesundera of the Hatton National Bank, Sri Lanka, and Dr John Conroy who is Special Consultant for FDC. The Committee members agreed on a membership-wide consultation survey to assess levels of support for a range of options for the future. Results will be integrated into a business plan and fund-raising campaign to support BWTP Network activities. FDC staff have taken advantage of other travel in recent months to meet some of the BWTP members in Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh and Malaysia. Members welcomed the possibility of renewed regional cooperation in research and information sharing. They are particularly keen to benefit from the network’s unique organisational structure, based on its diverse membership of commercial and central bankers, MFIs and other supporting organisations
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