Sanabel, a network of microfinance institutions in Arab countries, is holding its seventh annual meeting from June 1 through June 3. The conference, titled “Responsible Growth: Learning from Global Trends and Regional Experiences,” is being held in Damascus, Syria [1]. The conference, which is open to the public, is expected to draw more than 600 people from Arab and other foreign countries as well as a number of international and regional experts. Participants will have the opportunity to learn from panelists and to share individual experience through various lectures and workshops. The lecture series is divided into four different tracks: “responsible finance,” “investment readiness,” “increase outreach while maintaining quality” and “enabling policies and regulation” [2]. For more information on the conference, including a full schedule of events, visit its website http://www.sanabelconf.org/.

By Conner Brannen, Research Assistant

About Sanabel:

Sanabel, a network of microfinance institutions in Arab countries, was established in 2002 by 17 founding members from 7 Arab countries to form a regional network of microfinance institutions. Its headquarters are located in Cairo, Egypt. Currently Sanabel has 64 members from 12 Arab countries. Members of Sanabel serve 2.4 million clients, which reportedly represents 83 percent of the total microfinance clients in the region. In 2004, Sanabel was incorporated and registered as a nonprofit organization in both Atlanta, Georgia, USA, and in Cairo, Egypt.

Sources and Additional Resources:

[1] Zawya: “Network of Arab Countries, Sanabel, Starts Annual Meeting Tuesday,” May 30, 2010: http://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20100531053946

[2] Sanabel Microfinance Conference: http://www.sanabelconf.org/

[3] MicroCapital Universe Profile: Sanabel: http://www.microcapital.org/microfinanceuniverse/tiki-index.php?page=san…

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