In Kocaeli, Turkey, a “Special Provincial Administration” has reportedly distributed microloans totaling TRY 958,000 (equivalent to USD 629,000) to 993 female entrepreneurs. The loan amounts were between TRY 200 and TRY 1,000 (equivalent to between USD 131 and USD 657) and recipients are expected to repay weekly installments from TRY 4 to TRY 20 (equivalent to USD 2.60 to USD 13) over a period of up to 50 months [1].

Metin Yahsi, Secretary-General of the Special Provincial Administration says, “The microcredit project is very important for including poor people in the system, for allocating a space for women in work life, for preventing domestic violence and for increasing family prosperity” [1]. Further details on the Special Provincial Administration are unavailable.

By Julia Korn, Research Associate

Sources and Additional Resources:

[1] The Daily News. “Turkish women in Kocaeli get into business with micro-loans” on July 25, 2010. http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=women-in-kocaeli-get-into-busin…

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