MICROCAPITAL STORY: Indian MFI Association Sa-Dhan to Host Policy Forum Discussing Expansion of Microfinance in India's Eastern Provinces, NABARD and SIDBI to Attend

Sa-Dhan, India’s largest association of microfinance institutions recently announced it would host a policy forum bringing together key stakeholders of Indian microfinance to conceptualize an expansion plan for microfinance in India’s eastern provinces. The two-day policy forum, titled “Breaking the vicious cycle of poverty: synergy between micro-finance and livelihood,” will examine the current state of microfinance in eastern India, particularly the states of Orissa and West Bengal, and identify the key challenges that impede regional growth there.

The forum will be attended by major Indian development institutions, including and NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development) and SIDBI (Small Industries Development Bank of India). Both government agencies, NABARD manages India’s Self Help Group Bank Linkage Programme, which connects commercial banks and their lending activities with small groups of impoverished individuals seeking access to microcredit. As of March 2006, 33 million individuals have been linked to microcredit through this program. SIDBI is a state bank that aims to encourage growth of small-scale businesses through financing and development support.

Sa-Dhan, founded as the Association of Community Development Finance Institutions in 1999, is a nonprofit organization serving as an association of 196 Indian MFIs. Sa-Dhan works to improve standards, disseminate best practices and contact policy makers with the goal of improving microfinance services in India. Together, the organizations that comprise Sa-Dhan have a gross loan portfolio of RUP 150 billion (USD 3.5 billion) and a total of over 7 million borrowers. Sa-Dhan’s 2006-2007 annual report provides none of its own financial information. A list of member organizations and their financial data can be found on Mix Market.

By Ryan Benson

Additional Resources:

The Financial Express: Sa-Dhan to Market Microfinance Concept to Rurals

MIX Market: Sa-Dhan

NABARD: Home

Sidbi: Home