MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Executive Director Reflects on Past and Future of the Microfinance Information Exchange (MIX)

On the occasion of his first anniversary with the organization, Microfinance Information Exchange (MIX) Executive Director Marten Leijon reflects on the past and future of MIX, discussing priorities such as transparency, innovation and increased collaboration for information exchange.He also points to the need for actors in the microfinance sector to increase their commitment to social performance management, client protection, financial inclusion and fostering sustainable growth through appropriate risk management.

Mr Leijon said MIX is working to meet the needs of its users through several new mechanisms. Directing attention to the increasing access to data, he announced MIX’s aim to expand coverage beyond the approximately 100 countries it currently includes on its MIX Market website and to integrate new topics such as pricing, profitability and risks. In addition, MIX reportedly hopes to include more in-depth analytics such as macro and regulatory data. Mr Leijon also anticipates to move more publications to the Internet to increase user accessibility, including its MicroBanking Bulletin. [1].

About the Microfinance Information Exchange (MIX): Established in 2002, Microfinance Information Exchange (MIX) is a nonprofit organization with headquarters in Washington, DC, and regional offices in Peru, Senegal, India and Indonesia. It is a global, web-based, microfinance information platform, providing detailed financial and social performance information from microfinance institutions (MFIs) and business information from market facilitators, donor organizations and investors in microfinance. As of March 2009, MIX Market provides data on 1,375 MFIs, 104 microfinance funds, and 182 service providers. MIX was founded by CGAP (Consultative Group to Assist the Poor) and is sponsored by Citi Foundation, Deutsche Bank Americas Foundation, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), NO COMMA and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

By Diana Baide, Research Assistant

Sources and Additional Sources:

[1] Microfinance Information Exchange. “Reflecting on the past year and what’s ahead” by Marten Leijon September 13, 2010

http://www.themix.org/press-release/reflecting-past-year-and-what%E2%80%99s-ahead

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