BRIEF REPORT

 

As recommended by the workshop on “Micro Credit Schemes in NAM Member Countries” conducted in Jakarta on June 2002, NAM CSSTC organized Regional Training on Micro Credit Scheme for East Asia and the Pacific region. It is widely believed that a properly designed and implemented micro credit schemes is central to alleviate poverty by providing support for lower-income groups to increase their income. Sustainable micro finance practices require a number of sufficient resources including qualified human resources and expertise. This is when the need of capacity building of micro credit practitioners takes place. A training, which particularly focuses on technical aspect, is considered essential for micro credit practitioners and is expected to equip them with best practices in micro credit field in order to enable them to develop a more sustainable micro credit service in their respective countries.

 

13 participants attended the training from 8 NAM member countries in East Asia and the Pacific regions (in Attachment 4).

 

The training was divided into 5 main topics, which cover the following subjects:

 

1.      Philosophy of Micro finance

2.      BRI Micro Credit Background

3.      Loan Procedures

4.      Loan Investigation and Analysis

5.      Loan Management and Risk Management

 

The training was conducted in a highly participatory method and based on adult-learning techniques that include case studies, group assignment and discussions, and presentations.

 

After the completion of the in-class and field training sessions, the participants were asked to prepare an action plan which deliberated their plan to be implemented in their respective institution/organization considering the enhancement and capacity building of their micro credit services (attachment 1). At the end of the training sessions each participant presented his/her action plan. NAM CSSTC considers some of the action plan to be followed up and translated into more concrete actions. The follow-up programmes would include technical assistance, pilot projects and trainings.