MICROCAPITAL EVENT: The 2010 Asia Microfinance Forum in Colombo, Sri Lanka, from October 12

Event Name: The 2010 Asia Microfinance Forum

Event Date: October 12 – October 15, 2010

Event Location: Cinnamon Grand Hotel, Colombo, Sri Lanka

See Our Comprehensive Event Calendar Here: http://microfinanceassociation.ning.com/events

Cost: All groups receive a USD 100 discount if registering before August 13, 2010.
For standard registration: USD 500
For registered NGOs or charities: USD 400
For Banking with the Poor (BWTP) members: USD 200

Summary of Event: The Banking With the Poor (BWTP) Network and The Foundation for Development Cooperation (FDC), with lead sponsorship from the Citi Foundation, will discuss how “greater financial inclusion is dependent upon the microfinance sector increasing its capacity to provide innovative, well-structured and appropriate services and to scale up across all countries.”

Background on Organizer:

About The Banking With the Poor Network (BWTP Network):

The Banking with the Poor Network (BWTP Network), an Asian microfinance network based in Singapore, is an initiative of the Foundation for Development Cooperation. The Network is an association of a “diverse range of microfinance stakeholders committed to improving the quality of life of the poor through promoting and facilitating their access to sustainable financial services.” It reports to, but does not list financial data on, the MIX market website.

Background on Other Organizations Involved:

About The Foundation for Development Cooperation (FDC):

The Foundation for Development Cooperation (FDC) was founded in 1990 and is based in Brisbane, Australia, with offices in Singapore and Fiji. FDC conducts policy-oriented research and mobilizes Australian and international support for development efforts.

About the Citi Foundation:

The Citi Foundation provides grants and guarantees focusing on the areas of microfinance, small and growing businesses, education, financial education, neighborhood revitalization and asset building. Since 2000, the Citi Foundation has granted approximately USD 60 million in support of 250 microfinance programs and organizations across 55 countries.

Likely Event Themes and Discussion Topics:
-Defining financial inclusion in Asia
-Policy and regulations, research and recommendations
-Transformation of institutions in Asia
-Transparency and self-regulation
-Managing costs of microfinance institutions (MFIs)
-Branchless banking – limitations and opportunities
-Agricultural and microfinance
-Youth entrepreneurship
-Implementing consumer protection strategies
-Mobile phone banking
-Leadership for financial inclusion.

Who Is Invited to Attend: Open to the public.

About the Presenters: Presenters not yet released.

Event Website: http://www.asiamicrofinanceforum.org/

Online Registration Address: http://www.asiamicrofinanceforum.org/registration.html

For additional information, you may contact BWTP at:
Address:
BWTP Secretariat
c/o The Foundation for Development Cooperation (Singapore) Ltd.
#03-00, 63B Tanjong Pagar Road
Singapore 088484
Phone: +65 6438 4112
Email: info@asiamicrofinanceforum.org

Submit Your Event: http://microfinanceassociation.ning.com/events

By Julia Korn, Research Associate

Sources and Additional Resources:

[1] Asia Microfinance Forum. http://www.asiamicrofinanceforum.org/

MicroCapital Universe. The Banking With the Poor Network (BWTP Network). https://www.microcapital.org/microfinanceuniverse/tiki-index.php?page=The+Banking+with+the+Poor+Network+%28BWTP+Network%29

MicroCapital Universe. The Foundation for Development Cooperation (FDC). https://www.microcapital.org/microfinanceuniverse/tiki-index.php?page=The+Foundation+for+Development+Cooperation+%28FDC%29

MicroCapital Universe. The Citi Foundation. https://www.microcapital.org/microfinanceuniverse/tiki-index.php?page=Citi+Foundation

Browse the MicroCapital Universe and add your entry to the wiki at https://www.microcapital.org/microfinanceuniverse/