Abstract The article is based on research undertaken by the Foundation in 1997. It considers the policy and regulatory environment for microfinance in Asia. It identifies eleven criteria for ‘good practice’ in policy and regulation, covering the policies of governments and donor agencies to support microfinance; the regulation of non-bank microfinance institutions; and the regulation of banks. It then grades the performance of nine countries in Asia. It concludes that there is scope for improvement in all nine countries. Overall, Philippines and Bangladesh have the policy and regulatory environments that are most conducive to sustainable microfinance, while Pakistan has the one that is least conducive. However, different countries have strengths in different areas, and no country is strong in all areas. |
