MICROFINANCE EVENT: IADB’s X Inter-American Forum on Microenterprise: The Road Ahead

OCTOBER 3-5, 2007, SAN SALVADOR, EL SALVADOR

This tenth annual event is organized by the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) and the Ministry of Economy of El Salvador. The conference targets practitioners in Latin America and the Caribbean, but is also open to those from other regions. It will offer four categories of technical sessions: 1) “Microfinance” sessions will focus on microfinance products and services, as well as exploring new technologies and methodologies on how to expand access to financial services; 2) “Financial Markets” sessions will be centered on new financial market development that allow micro-enterprises and low-income groups to access financial resources; 3) “Entrepreneurship and Markets” will explore new models and partnerships to serve low-income markets and create opportunities for business growth; 4) “Business Environment” will target public sector strategies to advance regulation, improve formalization and tax regimes and secure transparency in the micro-enterprise sector.

The X Forum will take place at the Radisson Plaza San Salvador from October 3 to 5, 2007. (For more information, see the X Forum’s General Information page). To see an event agenda, click here.

Several microenterprise awards will be presented at the conference. The first is for Excellence is Microfinance and goes to a regulated institution in that sector. The winner will be selected on the basis of scale, profitability and efficiency, and capability to attract financing/ and or deposits in the local arena. The second award is the Award for Excellence in Microfinance for non-regulated institutions, evaluated on scale, sustainability, and outreach to underserved segments. This is the Award for Excellence in Enterprise Development Services, which recognizes promotion and support services for young entrepreneurs (between 18 and 30 years old). The award will be given based on the following criteria: scale, sustainability, ability to create networks/contacts. Last, the Award for Excellence in Social Entrepreneurship evaluates a winner based on the following criteria: scale in poor, marginalized and/or rural populations; entrepreneurial focus; ability to create social awareness and mobilize support.

In addition to the forum, several parallel activities will take place. These include “Meeting Point,” a networking opportunity for attendees (register here); a handicraft fair, an exhibition center, a business center, a presentation of publications, and a signing of agreements.

In addition to IADB and the Ministry of Economy of El Salvador, the event is sponsored by the following insitutions: ASIFBAN, ASOMI, Banco Multisectorial de Inversiones, Corporación Andina de Fomento, CONAMYPE, CYRANO, Deutshe Bank, FEDECREDITO, HSBC, INFOCENTROS, FUNDES, Integral, LiSim, UNDP, and World Savings Banks Institute.

Events fees are as follows: Before July 27, 2007, USD 250; Between July 28 and September 15, 2007, USD 300; After September 16, 2007, USD 350; Cost per guest, USD 200.

For online registration for this event, please click here. To contact event organizers, email foromic@iadb.org.

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