Lending To The Poor: Insights On Microfinance In Asia
VIEW EVENT DETAILSAlthough microfinance is now firmly established in many parts of the world, there is a debate over where it is headed. With problems from overlending and microfinance institutions making hundreds of millions of dollars, many are asking what the future of microfinance will look like.
Hailed as a powerful tool in the fight against poverty, microfinance emerged during the 1980’s as a way of providing financial services to the poor of developing nations. Since then, entrepreneurs such as Muhammed Yunus in Bangladesh and ACCION have become internationally recognized for their efforts in providing large amounts of specialized loans.
Please join CGAP (Consultative Group to Assist the Poor) Technology Program Manager Stephen Rasmussen, journalist Swaminathan S. Anklesaria Aiyar, founder of MicroRate Damian von Stauffenberg, and moderator Sasidhar Thumuluri for an informative discussion on the history, background, and context behind microfinance in Asia, the current state of the industry, and what the next decade will bring to specialized financial services across the region.
Stephen Rasmussen heads the Technology Program with CGAP, which works to expand financial services for the poor using mobile phones and other technologies. Prior to CGAP, Stephen was the World Bank’s microfinance focal point for South Asia as well as the IFC’s nominee director on the boards of two microfinance banks. From 2001-2008 he was CEO of the Pakistan Microfinance Network, and from 1994-2003 he headed up the Aga Khan Rural Support Programme.
Swaminathan S. Anklesaria Aiyar is a research fellow at the Cato Institute with a special focus on India and Asia. He is a prolific columnist and TV commentator in India, well-known for a popular weekly column titled "Swaminomics" in the Times of India. He has been called "India's leading economic journalist" by Stephen Cohen of the Brookings Institution. He was the India correspondent of The Economist for two decades and has two books to his credit.
Damian von Stauffenberg is the founder of MicroRate, the world’s first rating agency specializing in microfinance. Before dedicating himself to microfinance, Mr. von Stauffenberg worked for 25 years in the World Bank and its private sector affiliate, the International Finance Corporation (IFC).
Sasidhar Thumuluri has a decade of experience in microfinance, livelihood promotion, investments and affordable housing. Presently as Global Business Strategy Manager, International Housing Finance, at Habitat for Humanity International, a global NGO engaged in providing low cost housing to the poor, he oversees the organization's housing microfinance portfolio and supports capital markets initiatives.
This Event Is Co-Sponsored By Asia Society Washington and The Financial Inclusion Forum of DC.
Event Details
Asia Society Washington,
The Cinnabar Room,
Whittemore House (2nd Flr),
1526 New Hampshire Ave, NW,
Washington, D.C. 20036