The Banking with the Poor Network (www.bwtp.org) and the Foundation for Development Cooperation (BWTP secretariat) are undertaking new activities in South Asia, thanks to funding support from the Japan Foundation. The main goal of the project is to build the foundations of an Asia Resource Center for Microfinance (ARCM), based on dialogue and information exchange at national and regional levels in South Asia. The ARCM will constitute a one-stop learning and information hub for Banking with the Poor Network (BWTP) members and other microfinance actors in Asia. Based on regional dialogue and networking, and access to the BWTP website, the ARCM will encourage increased outreach and efficiency of financial services for the poor in South Asia. Construction of the ARCM will commence with a consultation process in two countries (January 2004 in Pakistan and February 2004 in Nepal), which will include the organisation of interactive and learning workshops and individual consultations with major microfinance organisations in each of the two countries. The
main subjects of discussion will be:
This will lead to the organisation of a regional virtual conference in March 2004 (via web or email), reacting to and synthesising the lessons learned from national consultations and providing a forum for regional dialogue and peer learning. This conference will provide solid support and grounding for the creation of the ARCM, hosted on the BWTP website and accessible through BWTP representatives members in different Asian countries.
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