MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Qualcomm, Project Concern International (PCI) India, Microware Computing & Consulting Partner to Offer 3G-based Mobile Microfinance Technology for Microfinance Institution Planned Social Concern

Qualcomm, a US-based semiconductor and telecommunications company, recently announced a collaboration with Project Concern International (PCI) India, a New Delhi-based branch of the US-based non-governmental organization PCI; Planned Social Concern (PSC), a microfinance institution (MFI) based in Jaipur, India; and Microware Computing & Consulting, an Indian telecommunications and software company. The organizations are launching a project called “Connecting India to Disconnect Poverty”, which is intended to promote microfinance in India by improving the “efficiency, profitability and transparency” of microfinance [1].

The project will include the provision of 3G-connected tablet computers to staff members of PSC. The equipment is anticipated to be sufficient to help them manage 6,000 microcredit borrowers via MicroLekha, mobile microfinance application developed by Microware. MicroLekha enables the scanning of documents required for the lending process as well as access to real-time customer information, including loan balance and repayment history.

As of June 2015, Qualcomm reported total assets of USD 52.3 billion. As of September 2014, PCI has total assets of USD 13.0 million and total annual revenue of USD 47.0 million. It launched PSC in 2005. As of March 2012, PSC reported total annual revenue of INR 1.96 crores (USD 295,000), return on assets (ROA) of 4.2 percent and return on equity (ROE) of 5.1 percent. PSC does not accept deposits. Financial information on Microware is unavailable.

By Caroline Zhu, Research Associate

About Planned Social Concern (PSC)

Planned Social Concern is a microfinance institution (MFI) in India that was established by Project Concern International (PCI) India in December 2005. As of March 2012, PSC has approximately 5,400 active borrowers with a total outstanding loan portfolio of INR 3.67 crores (USD 553,000). PSC does not accept deposits. As of March 2012, PSC reported return on assets (ROA) of 4.2 percent and return on equity (ROE) of 5.1 percent. More recent financial information on the organization is unavailable.

About Microware Computing & Consulting

Microware Computing & Consulting is an Indian information technology company that offers management information systems and software solutions to non-governmental organizations, trusts, foundations, and the central and state governments of India. Financial information on the organization is unavailable.

About Project Concern International (PCI)

Project Concern International (PCI) is a US-based non-governmental organization (NGO) that works “to prevent disease, improve community health and promote sustainable development worldwide.” It has operations in Bangladesh, Bolivia, Botswana, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Liberia, Malawi, Mexico, Nicaragua, South Africa, Tanzania and Zambia. As of September 2014, PCI has total assets of USD 13.0 million and total annual revenue of USD 47.0 million.

About Qualcomm

Qualcomm is a US-based semiconductor and telecommunications company that was founded in 1985. As of August 2015, Qualcomm has approximately 175 offices in 40 countries. As of June 2015, Qualcomm reported total assets of USD 52.3 billion.

Sources and Additional Resources:
[1] TelecomLead news, “Qualcomm announces 3G project to boost microfinance,”
http://www.telecomlead.com/3g/qualcomm-announces-3g-project-to-boost-microfinance-59310

MicroCapital Universe Profile: Planned Social Concern (PSC)

MicroCapital Universe Profile: Project Concern International (PCI)

MicroCapital Universe Profile: Qualcomm

Do you know that MicroCapital publishes the MicroCapital Monitor newspaper each month? Find out more at https://www.microcapital.org/products-page

Similar Posts: