MICROCAPITAL EVENT: VIII National Conference: The Role of Microfinance in Overcoming the Financial and Economic Crisis, November 17-19, 2009 in Moscow, Organized by the Russian Microfinance Center (RMC)

Event Name: VIII National Conference: The Role of Microfinance in Overcoming the Financial and Economic Crisis

Event Date: November 17-19, 2009

Event Location: Moscow

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

Cost:

Early bird registration fee:

(Available before September 30, 2009)

For Associated Members of the National Partnership of Microfinance Market Stakeholders (NAMMS):

First Participant: USD 440/ Rubles 10500

Subsequent Participants: USD 398/ Rubles 9500

For Russian Microfinance Center (RMC) Partners:

First Participant: USD 419/ Rubles 10000

Subsequent Participants: USD 356/ Rubles 8500

Other Participants:

First Participant: USD 419/ Rubles 13000

Subsequent Participants: USD 356/ Rubles 11500

(Note: Early bird discount can be availed only if the payment is made within 10 working days of the billing)

Registration Fee between September 30, 2009 and October 30, 2009

For Associated Members of the National Partnership of Microfinance Market Stakeholders (NAMMS):

First Participant: USD 565/ Rubles 13500

Subsequent Participants: USD 503/ Rubles 12000

For Russian Microfinance Center (RMC) Partners:

First Participant: USD 523/ Rubles 12500

Subsequent Participants: USD 461/ Rubles 11000

Other Participants:

First Participant: USD 670/ Rubles 16000

Subsequent Participants: USD 607/ Rubles 14500

Summary of Event:

The eighth edition of the National conference on microfinance will focus on the role of small and medium enterprise (SME) lending and microfinance in overcoming the current financial and economic crisis as the main theme. The Conference would highlight issues such as policy incentives for microfinance, priority areas for government support of microfinance, and the strategy of encouraging business startups by the unemployed as a way to create employment and to increase household income.

Key presenters and speakers at the event include officials from the Russian Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Economic Development, the Central Bank of Russia, Russian policy-makers, legislators and regulators, representatives of the Grameen Bank (Bangladesh), the United Nations (UN), the World Bank, international associations of microfinance providers and financial cooperatives, raters and development agencies, as well as investors with a focus on micro-credit programs [1]

The event organizers also have a call for sponsors. Interested organizations may refer to the event’s sponsor pack section available here for various options on supporting the conference.

Event Theme and Topics:

The three day event will consist of plenaries, discussions, round tables with representatives of the government, training events for regional networks, brainstorming sessions for MFI, free debates and classes led by microfinance community leaders. In addition, an investor fair allowing institutions to approach investors for one-on-one negotiations will also be conducted. Topics for discussions include: Practical implications of the new legislation on credit cooperatives and microfinance; Government support of microfinance; Challenges faced by the finance and credit system in the current crisis, Ways to attract private investment and savings to increase capitalization of the national microfinance system. The complete agenda is not currently available.

Pre-conference seminars focused on the following topics will also be conducted: Government Regulation and Self-regulation of Credit Cooperatives: How to Form Sustainable SROs; and Accounting and Auditing for MFIs. For more information on the pre-conference events, please look up here.

Background on Organizers:

The Russian Microfinance Center (RMC) was established in July 2002 in response to the need for an organization to represent and advocate for the interests of the entire Russian microfinance community. Its mission is to promote a ‘strong and sustainable microfinance sector in the Russian Federation, facilitate access to financial resources for SME and low-income people, create jobs and improve living standards of the poor’. The RMC’s key partners include the Association of Russian Banks, the “Russia” Association of Regional Banks, the Russian National Union of Organizations for Mutual Financial Assistance and the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry among others. Key strategic partners include the Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP), the Small Enterprise Education and Promotion network (SEEP), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Citigroup, DAI Int., the World Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the European Union, the European Microfinance Network (EMN), and the Microfinance Center (MFC). The RMC Supervisory Board currently includes representatives of 22 major Russian microfinance institutions and their networks (associations), with a combined total loan portfolio of USD 170 million and about 120 thousand active customers [2].

Registration:

To apply, please complete the online registration form available here. The registration form also contains details of accommodation.

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

By Bharathi Ram, Research Assistant

Bibliography:

[1] VIII National Conference: The Role of Microfinance, http://conf.rmcenter.ru/2009/eng/index.php

[2] Russian Microfinance Center: http://rmcenter.ru/en/about/