FDC’s work over the years has encouraged a flourishing, but safe environment for microfinance and enterprise, by connecting policy and practice. A conducive and enabling policy environment, and a sound and effective regulatory framework and supervisory system are of critical importance for ensuring a level of outreach that would unleash the true potential of microfinance for significant poverty reduction. FDC’s seminal research conducted in the 1990s includes Best Practice in Banking with the Poor, The Role of Commercial Banks in Microfinance, Getting the Framework Right: Policy and Regulation for Microfinance in Asia, and The Role of Central Banks in Microfinance in Asia and the Pacific. More recently, FDC’s policy advocacy centres on the Asia-Pacific Financial Inclusion Forum, established in 2010 as a policy initiative of the APEC Finance Ministers to identify actions that financial policy makers can take to expand the reach of financial services to the unbanked and underserved.
This paper highlights the similarities of the "MIRAB" model in Sri Lanka - an island nation located in the Indian Ocean - and draws implications for the island nations of the Pacific.
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This regional forum was organised by the Foundation for Development Cooperation and Banking with the Poor to explore the differences, similarities, and opportunities for achieving financial inclus ...
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Two companion booklets which provide practical guidance for forming self-help groups. The first is set in a rural context and is based on the experience of MYRADA in southern India. The second is ...
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These early BWTP Newsletters are produced for several audiences for partners in the eight participating Asian countries, to record their work and to keep them informed about the progress of their ...
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This paper examines the circumstances of microfinance in seven ASEAN countries, identifying common challenges to sustainability. These include the need to integrate microfinancing systems successf ...
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At present some 200 million households of the self-employed poor in the Asia-Pacific region have no access to the formal financial system, with institutions such as commercial banks reaching only ...
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Should central banks in developing countries actively assist microfinance? And how far would any such assistance fit with contemporary views of central bank functions? Given the reliance now place ...
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This report provides a summary of the proposed actions developed for APEC's policymakers and regulators through this dialogue. A more detailed report will be published later in the year and shared ...
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FDC was represented at the Microcredit Summit Asia-Pacific Meeting of Councils, held in February 2004 in Dhaka. The associated session 'Microfinance in the South Pacific' included a presentation b ...
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Insights from Pacific Microfinance Week 2015. Discussions of challenges and achievements of poverty reduction in developing countries around the world usually focus on Africa, Asia and periodicall ...
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This paper was prepared at the invitation of the Thai APEC Study Centre in Bangkok. It reviews the outcomes of the APEC process in 2002 affecting microenterprise development (MED) and microbanking ...
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This assessment was completed as a Banking with the Poor Network (BWTP Network) activity to provide an overview of the microfinance sectors in which the BWTP Network operates. It extends beyond th ...
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This document has been prepared by the Foundation for Development Cooperation as a contribution to planning for the reconstruction of East Timor. It is a concept paper directed to a particular nee ...
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Articles from the Banking with the Poor network highlighting contemporary microfinance issues.
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Despite the achievements made for financial inclusion globally, many challenges remain. These challenges include a broad range of issues such as the lack of formal financial services, gender inequ ...
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The Asia Microfinance Forum 2010 was convened by The Banking With the Poor Network and organised by The Foundation for Development Cooperation, with the Citi Foundation as Lead Sponsor, and Hatton ...
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This assessment was completed as a Banking with the Poor Network (BWTP Network) activity to provide an overview of the microfinance sectors in which the BWTP Network operates.
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This regional forum was organised by the Foundation for Development Cooperation and Microfinance Pasifika Network to explore the differences, similarities, and opportunities for achieving financia ...
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In 2007, FDC completed three country studies on leveraging remittances with microfinance. With funding from the Australian Research Council, this project was undertaken in collaboration with the A ...
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This regional forum was organised by the Foundation for Development Cooperation and Banking with the Poor to explore the differences, similarities, and opportunities for achieving financial inclus ...
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The inaugural Mekong Financial Inclusion Forum was the first wave of a major new industry initiative that is exploring the differences, similarities and opportunities for achieving financial inclu ...
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These early BWTP Newsletters are produced for several audiences for partners in the eight participating Asian countries, to record their work and to keep them informed about the progress of their ...
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These early BWTP Newsletters are produced for several audiences for partners in the eight participating Asian countries, to record their work and to keep them informed about the progress of their ...
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This paper summarises outcomes from an FDC and World Vision International workshop entitled "Microfinance and Disaster Management". The workshop brought together 27 microfinance and disaster manag ...
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At a time when other financial flows from developed to developing countries are in stagnation or decline, remittances from migrant workers have expanded in the last decade to become a key input to ...
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The objective of the Getting the Framework Right 2010 report is to provide an updated report of progress on microfinance policy and regulation in Asia, building upon the initial 1998 study and cov ...
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These topical briefs, produced almost two decades ago illustrate the issues confronting microfinance providers and their responses at that time.
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This study was jointly commissioned by Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat and the UNDP Pacific Sub Regional Centre. It examines the status of microcredit across the Pacific region.
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A significant number of those engaged in microfinance services continue to struggle with the twin goals of outreach and sustainability. This is particularly true of the situation in the Philippines.
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These early BWTP Newsletters are produced for several audiences for partners in the eight participating Asian countries, to record their work and to keep them informed about the progress of their ...
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This assessment was completed as a Banking with the Poor Network (BWTP Network) activity to provide an overview of the microfinance sectors in which the BWTP Network operates. It extends beyond th ...
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In 2007, FDC completed three country studies on leveraging remittances with microfinance. With funding from the Australian Research Council, this project was undertaken in collaboration with the A ...
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These early BWTP Newsletters are produced for several audiences for partners in the eight participating Asian countries, to record their work and to keep them informed about the progress of their ...
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Event program
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Remittances sent by migrant workers to their country of origin which are expected to grow rapidly particularly among Asia-Pacific economies have great potential for promoting financial inclusion.
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The Forum consisted of eight sessions that addressed a range of topics including: (i) credit bureaus and credit information systems, (ii) microinsurance, (iii) cross-border payment systems, (iv) s ...
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This paper provides a brief introduction to microfinance in Vanuatu.
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These early BWTP Newsletters are produced for several audiences for partners in the eight participating Asian countries, to record their work and to keep them informed about the progress of their ...
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In a manner uncomfortably reminiscent of 'sub-prime' mortgage lending, foreign capital flows generated by 'financialisation' are funding rapid growth of micro-lending. Such investments typically n ...
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This is a condensed version of an address delivered by General Burrows at th opening session of the Third Asia-Pacific Regional Workshop on Banking with the Poor held in Brisbane, 21-25 November 1995.
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One of the world's youngest countries is overcoming immense challenges to build a system of financial inclusion.
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In 2007, FDC completed three country studies on leveraging remittances with microfinance. With funding from the Australian Research Council, this project was undertaken in collaboration with the A ...
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The 2014 Forum provided an opportunity for stakeholders to review the current trends, recent achievements, ongoing challenges and opportunities within the region relative to financial inclusion an ...
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This report provides an overview of the themes addressed by the Asia Microfinance Forum 2008 and a snapshot of microfinance in selected Asian countries by drawing on various recent microfinance in ...
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These early BWTP Newsletters are produced for several audiences for partners in the eight participating Asian countries, to record their work and to keep them informed about the progress of their ...
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This study defines a framework for support of microfinance which avoids financially repressive measures and is consistent with contemporary views of the central bank's role. It considers how centr ...
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This paper by John Conroy was prepared at the invitation of the Thai APEC Study Centre in Bangkok. It reviews the outcomes of the APEC process in 2002 affecting microenterprise development (MED) a ...
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These consultations focussed on the four topics defined in the workshop organised on the 29 January 2004 in Islamabad, presented in the summary.
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These early BWTP Newsletters are produced for several audiences for partners in the eight participating Asian countries, to record their work and to keep them informed about the progress of their ...
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Microfinance is an essential element in development responses to disaster situations, providing people with financial services needed to rebuild their lives and improve their living conditions.
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An outline by the Foundation for Development Cooperation and Banking with the Poor to explore the differences, similarities, and opportunities for achieving financial inclusion within this unique ...
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This paper focuses on the experiences of the Fiji Rural Banking service which was launched in October 2004.
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Microfinance is an essential element in development responses to disaster situations, providing people with financial services needed to rebuild their lives and improve their living conditions.
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This study examined the effect of remittance related financial education given to 20 Indonesian Female Domestic Workers in Singapore. A key feature of the study was its conduct of back-to-back cla ...
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A case study of a microfinance institution that is preparing to expand to serve more micro-entrepreneurs through microfinance and alleviate poverty.
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This report summarises the findings of a recent survey of Asian institutions involved in microfinance, in a variety of active, support and policy roles. The survey attempts to measure reactions ...
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As the Covid-19 crisis continues to unfold, there is a consensus among governments and experts on the need to accelerate the use of technology for financial services as a significant part of the r ...
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FDC's 2005 Forum program guide.
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This year's annual APFIF policy dialogue addressed two themes - the opportunity and challenges surrounding the creation of digital ecosystems within economies and building an understanding of what ...
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The purpose of this report is to document and evaluate business models for financial services available in Papua New Guinea and beyond, with the aim of identifying appropriate models for improving ...
Read moreThese early BWTP Newsletters are produced for several audiences for partners in the eight participating Asian countries, to record their work and to keep them informed about the progress of their ...
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These early BWTP Newsletters are produced for several audiences for partners in the eight participating Asian countries, to record their work and to keep them informed about the progress of their ...
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This paper was an 'early warning' of the consequences of the crisis for microfinance institutions and their clients, as it unfolded. Prepared for the Annual Seminar on New Development Finance at F ...
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A lack of access to modern, alternative sources of energy in rural areas compromises the quality of life, health and economic opportunities of countless households in developing countries.
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In the wake of the crisis that hit the microfinance sector in late 2010 there was increasing scepticism from commentators about the potential of the microfinance industry to achieve poverty reduct ...
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Thirteen national and regional microfinance networks, as representatives of microfinance providers in developing countries, play an increasingly important role in facilitating growth and developme ...
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If microfinance practitioners expect financial services to have an impact on incomes then there is sufficient evidence that what the industry is doing now is not working (enough). Yet the industry ...
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These early BWTP Newsletters are produced for several audiences for partners in the eight participating Asian countries, to record their work and to keep them informed about the progress of their ...
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In April 2009 the Reserve Bank of Fiji announced a number of new economic and financial measures.
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This newsletter outlines FDC's current microfinance activities and includes including updates on recent press coverage, new publications, and events.
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This regional forum was organised by the Foundation for Development Cooperation and Banking with the Poor to explore the differences, similarities, and opportunities for achieving financial inclus ...
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In September 2005, Citigroup Foundation sought the assistance of FDC to design and conduct a regional program of research, curriculum development, and train-the-trainer workshops to increase the c ...
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The objective of this report is to document the results of an appraisal of access to financial services in five least developed countries in the Pacific and make recommendations to the United Nati ...
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A revised and updated MFPN Strategic Plan 2010 - 2014 helps strengthen the Network by improving services to members, increasing the income and membership of the Network and in helping to approach ...
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The global financial crisis has led to a significant decrease in international capital available to the microfinance sector. This decrease in capital inflow adversely affected the microfinance sec ...
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A study of best practice in banking with the poor, drawing on experience in eight Asian countries. It discusses the best practices, policies and institutional arrangements for banking with the poo ...
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This assessment was completed as a Banking with the Poor Network (BWTP Network) activity to provide an overview of the microfinance sectors in which the BWTP Network operates. It extends beyond th ...
Read more
These early BWTP Newsletters are produced for several audiences for partners in the eight participating Asian countries, to record their work and to keep them informed about the progress of their ...
Read more
These topical briefs, produced almost two decades ago illustrate the issues confronting microfinance providers and their responses at that time.
Read more
These topical bulletins, produced almost two decades ago illustrate the issues confronting microfinance providers and their responses at that time.
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