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ASIA MICROFINANCE FORUM 2008 | MELIA HANOI HOTEL, HANOI, VIETNAM | 26-29 AUGUST 2008
AN INITIATIVE OF
ASIA MICR O FINA NCE FO R U M 2008
Melia Hanoi Hotel, Hanoi, Vietnam - August 26-29 2008
ORGANISED BY
The world’s microfinance industry is in the midst of unprecedented expansion
and transformation. These changes are resulting in an increasing array of
competing imperatives and the growing need for long-term strategic planning.
Accordingly, the Asia Microfinance Forum 2008 will focus on the challenges and
innovations that will have the greatest impact on microfinance in the coming
decades and provide a window to the future of microfinance, especially in Asia.
LEAD SPONSOR
The Banking With The Poor Network (BWTP) and The Foundation for
Development Cooperation (FDC), with funding from the Citi Foundation, are
pleased to convene the Asia Microfinance Forum 2008 in Hanoi, Vietnam, August
26 -29, 2008. The Asia Microfinance Forum 2008 is being held in association with
IN ASSOCIATION WITH
PlaNet Finance Group and the European Union, and in collaboration with the
State Bank of Vietnam. This milestone event will bring together around 400
leading microfinance practitioners, policymakers, financiers, academics and
advocates from around the world to outline their visions and priorities, and
explore new ideas and opportunities.
The Asia Microfinance Forum 2008 formally commences on the evening of
Tuesday, 26 August 2008, and concludes on the afternoon of Friday, 29 August
2008. A number of pre-event activities and meetings will take place on Monday,
SPONSORS
25 August 2008, and Tuesday, 26 August 2008. A number of parallel events will
also take place during the course of Asia Microfinance Forum 2008.
The theme for the conference will be:
Microfinance in the 21st Century:
Future Trends & Opportunities
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
PARTNERS
The Banking With The Poor Network Secretariat,
c/o The Foundation for Development Cooperation
FDC Singapore, 22 Cross Street, #02-55,
South Bridge Court, Singapore 048421
Tel: 65 64396864
Fax: 65 64384844
Email: info@bwtp.org Website: www.bwtp.org
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Background
The BWTP Network, in collaboration with FDC, actively promotes the
development of microfinance in Asia through research, advocacy, policy
dialogue, information sharing and capacity building.
In March 2006, the BWTP Network and FDC held the first Asia Microfinance
Forum in Beijing, China, with funding from the Citi Foundation. The
three-day conference brought together over 280 microfinance experts
and practitioners from over 20 countries, making it one of the most
significant microfinance events in the region, and the largest international
microfinance gathering ever held in China.
The Asia Microfinance Forum 2008 will build on the success of the Beijing
event and aims to help prepare the microfinance industry in Asia for a
wide range of future challenges and opportunities. The Asia Microfinance
Forum 2008 is being held in association with PlaNet Finance Group and
the European Union in collaboration with the State Bank of Vietnam and
organised by the BWTP Network and FDC with funding from the Citi
Foundation.
Key Objectives
XX
To identify and target future challenges and opportunities arising
from areas such as financing and investment, new technologies, and
environmental issues;
XX
To encourage the effective development of innovative microfinance
products and approaches between and among stakeholders in the Asia
region;
XX
To encourage partnerships and cooperation in Asia among microfinance
service providers, financiers and regulators in order to increase peer
learning in microfinance.
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ASIA MICROFINANCE FORUM 2008 | MELIA HANOI HOTEL, HANOI, VIETNAM | 26-29 AUGUST 2008
Asia Microfinance Forum 2008 Themes
Theme 4 - Technology
New and better-applied technology is increasingly
Theme 1 - Financing & Investment
seen as a key strategy in increasing financial
Access to commercial sources of finance provides
inclusion in developing countries. Innovations
an ever-increasing opportunity for the microfinance
such as smart card services, biometric technology
sector. However, how can investors and national
and mobile phone banking are well established
microfinance networks and institutions receive the
in some contexts. The future of e-banking will
necessary information, know-how, and tools to
continue to see a roll-out of ICT-enabled systems
facilitate investments? Of the financing mechanisms
with the aim of improving operational efficiencies
available, which ones are providing the greatest
and decreasing transaction costs. E-banking may
benefits to MFIs and customers? Is the future with
enable commercial banks to deliver microfinance
social investors or is the importance of local finance
services more profitably. Also, technology in the
markets being overlooked? How do MFIs maintain a
form of alternative energy sources is being linked
poverty focus in this era of rapid commercialisation?
with microfinance to improve the energy supply of
microfinance clients at the village level.
Theme 2 - Savings & Asset Building
The capacity of the poor to accumulate savings and
Theme 5 - Sustainable Development
build assets is an integral part of poverty alleviation
The ever-increasing awareness of the effects of climate
and sustainable economic development. Asset
change has focused some debate on the issue of
building, an important means to financial security,
household and microentrepreneurs’ CO2 emissions in
also relates to issues such as knowledge, education,
the developing world. Microfinance provides a means
health and housing. Savings mobilisation provides
of creating sustainable microenterprises through the
opportunities for MFIs but the effective resolution of
financing of products such as renewable energy,
regulatory, legal, capacity and cost constraints create
environmentally sustainable sanitation and water
future challenges.
systems, and ecotourism. Additionally, financing
mechanisms such as green investment funds and
Theme 3 - Industry Networks
The
commercialisation
of
microfinance
carbon trading hold promise for both expanding the
has
outreach of environmentally sustainable microfinance
brought into greater relief the issues of institutional
and enhancing the economic sustainability of MFIs.
performance and capacity building, and the need for
strong advocacy around regulatory issues. Networks
play an essential role in offering a wide range of
services and are essential to the maintenance of
a healthy microfinance sector. However, priority
areas often must be identified by networks which
are operating under financial constraints and may
include, amongst other things, information exchange
and
dissemination,
institutional
development,
development of best practices, peer learning, policy
advocacy, research and measurement of impact and
social performance.
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ASIA MICROFINANCE FORUM 2008 | MELIA HANOI HOTEL, HANOI, VIETNAM | 26-29 AUGUST 2008
An Initiative Of
Lead Sponsor
The Banking With The Poor Network
Citi Foundation
The Banking With The Poor Network (www.bwtp.
The Citi Foundation (www.citigroupfoundation.org)
org) is a network of more than 30 national policy
is committed to enhancing economic opportunities
institutions, commercial banks, MFIs and NGOs
for underserved individuals and families in the
from numerous countries in the Asia-Pacific region
communities where we work throughout the world.
- including Australia, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia,
Globally, the Citi Foundation is focusing its giving
Laos, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand,
on Microfinance and Microentrepreneurship, which
and Vietnam. Established in the 1990s, the BWTP
helps individuals become economically self-sufficient;
Network’s objective is to link microfinance with
Small and Growing Businesses leading to economic
the financial system and to support the provision
expansion and job creation; Education, which
of inclusive financial services in Asia. It pursues this
prepares young people for personal and professional
objective through capacity building, information
success; Financial Education, which helps individuals
sharing, policy dialogue, advocacy and research.
make
informed
financial
decisions;
and
the
Environment with a focus on sustainable enterprises
that generate jobs and stimulate economic growth
Organised By
while preserving the environment.
The Foundation for Development Cooperation
Established in 1990 in Australia, The Foundation
Citi is one of the world’s largest corporate donors
for
to the microfinance sector. The Citi Foundation
Development
Cooperation
(www.fdc.org.au)
international
has contributed nearly US$60 million in funding to
development organisation. The mandate of FDC
support 250 microfinance institutions, microfinance
calls for it to conduct policy-oriented research, foster
networks
public awareness, mobilise broader Australian and
55 countries. Since 1997 in Asia alone, the Citi
overseas development cooperation, and support
Foundation has committed more than US$18 million
nongovernmental development efforts. FDC has
in funding for microfinance-related programs.
is
an
independent,
not-for-profit
worked in the field of microfinance for 18 years.
Through partnerships and alliances, FDC undertakes
a range of initiatives which seek to improve the
lives of poor people in developing countries, foster
innovative approaches to development, and connect
policy work to self-help efforts at the grass roots level.
FDC’s work includes economic development and
assessment, policy analysis, grass-roots community
based initiatives, strategic research, partnerships and
leverage, advocacy, consulting and advisory services,
project design and implementation, secretariat and
network management, and training and capacity
building. FDC’s headquarters is in Brisbane, Australia.
FDC has an Asia regional office in Singapore and a
Pacific regional office in Fiji is to be opened on 15
September 2008.
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and
microenterprise
programs
in
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ASIA MICROFINANCE FORUM 2008 | MELIA HANOI HOTEL, HANOI, VIETNAM | 26-29 AUGUST 2008
In Association With
In Partnership With
European Commission
ADA
The mission of the European Commission is to promote
ADA (Appui au développement autonome, (meaning
the general interest of the European Union. It does
“Support for Autonomous Development”)) is a non-
so by anticipating in the decision-making process,
governmental organisation (NGO) specialising in
in particular by presenting proposals for European
microfinance. Founded in 1994 in Luxembourg, ADA
law, by overseeing the correct implementation of
has been mandated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
the Treaties and European law, and by carrying out
Cooperation Department and has been operating
common policies and managing funds.
since 2007 under the High Patronage of Her Royal
Highness The Grand Duchess of Luxembourg.
PlaNet Finance
PlaNet Finance (www.planetfinance.org) is an
Its mission consists in supporting microfinance
international non profit organization, which aims
institutions (MFIs) based in developing countries
at alleviating poverty by contributing to the
in their growth process. This support, which may
development of the microfinance sector. PlaNet
be of a technical and/or financial nature, is aimed
Finance’s aim is to support banks, cooperatives,
at increasing the professionalism of the MFIs by
Non Governmental Organizations (NGO), and the
making them more effective, independent and
Microfinance Institutions, by providing them with
innovative. ADA works in direct partnership with 25
operational services in terms of capacity building
MFIs located in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Nearly
and financing to facilitate their growth. PlaNet
200 microfinance institutions benefit indirectly from
Finance also works with the private sector (banks
different services. ADA also works with Professional
and financial institutions),international agencies and
Associations and MFI Networks providing them
governments to facilitate the creation of an efficient
technical and financial support to help these
microfinance sector.
organisations implement their action plans.
State Bank of Vietnam
SEEP
The State Bank of Vietnam was established in 1951.
Established in 1985, the Small Enterprise Education
Until 1988 SBV played the role of a Central Bank,
& Promotion (SEEP) Network is the international
setting broad monetary policies and regulations,
network of practitioners working in microfinance
and the role of a commercial bank, carrying financial
and microenterprise development. Its 74 institutional
activities of a regular retail bank. Since 1988, and
members are active in 139 countries and reach over
the reform of the financial system, the banking
25 million microentrepreneurs and their families.
sector follows a regular two tiers system, with the
SEEP’s mission is to connect these practitioners
establishment of specialised commercial banks. The
in a global learning environment. It is through
law on the State of Bank of Vietnam (1998) clarifies
this member-driven, collaborative platform that
the roles and responsibilities of the central bank.
SEEP collects and shares best practices, and fosters
technical innovation and progress for the industry.
SEEP also specializes in the development of regional
and national microfinance associations, or networks.
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ASIA MICROFINANCE FORUM 2008 | MELIA HANOI HOTEL, HANOI, VIETNAM | 26-29 AUGUST 2008
Sponsors
Networks are critical agents because they have
the potential to advocate for an enabling policy
environment, promote best practices and contribute
AusAID
to the growth of the microfinance industry at large.
The Australian Agency for International Development
Over the past decade, SEEP has worked with over 30
(AusAID) is the Australian Government agency
networks on institutional strengthening activities,
responsible for managing Australia’s overseas aid
and has recently added 12 networks from Europe,
program. The objective of the aid program is to assist
Africa, and Latin America to its membership.
developing countries reduce poverty and achieve
sustainable development, in line with Australia’s
Vietnam Bank for Social Policies
national interest. AusAID provides advice and
The Vietnam Bank for Social Policies was established
support to the Minister and Parliamentary Secretary
under Premier’s Decision No. 131/2002QD-TTg dated
on development policy, and plans and coordinates
October 4th, 2002 and the Government’s Decree No.
poverty reduction activities in partnership with
78/ND-CP dated October 4th, 2002 on providing
developing countries.
credit for the poor and other policy beneficiaries;
based upon the re-organization of the Bank for
IBM
the Poor and separation from Vietnam Bank for
Established in 1911 in New York, United States, IBM is
Agriculture & Rural Development for purpose of
the world’s leading information technology services
detaching policy lending from commercial lending.
company, offering a range of integrated solutions,
VBSP is a State-owned non-profit credit institution
products and services.
that is currently in charge of providing policy credit
In 1994, IBM established Representative Offices in
to the poor and other policy beneficiaries.
Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. After that, IBM Vietnam
Vietnam Microfinance Working Group
Company was established and became one of the first
Vietnam Microfinance Working Group (VMFWG)
100% foreigned-invested IT companies in Vietnam.
was founded to create a forum for microfinance
IBM provides a complete range of products and
practitioners to share experiences with each other,
services in Vietnam including servers, Storage System,
come together to debate relevant issues, and speak
Software, Point-of-Sales systems, warranty/maintenance,
to policy makers with a unified voice. Founded in
system integration, e-business, project management,
2004 as an informal organization under the VUFO-
education/training, and consulting.
NGO Resource Center, according to the Working
IBM is proud to contribute to the development and
Group Guidelines approved by the Resource Centre
progress of Vietnam not only by providing unique
Steering Committee in April 2003, the VMFWG is
business solutions, experience exchange but also
open to all individuals and organizations interested
through philanthropic projects to support the
in microfinance in Vietnam. The goal of the VMFWG
country’s education and cultural renovation efforts.
is “to enhance the impact of microfinance on
poverty alleviation by promoting quality and
sustainability of microfinance in Vietnam both in the
practice of institutions and in an improved enabling
environment.”
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ASIA MICROFINANCE FORUM 2008 | MELIA HANOI HOTEL, HANOI, VIETNAM | 26-29 AUGUST 2008
IFC
Unilever Vietnam
IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, fosters
Starting operation in Vietnam in 1995, Unilever
sustainable economic growth in developing countries
Vietnam has become one of the most successful
by financing private sector investment, mobilizing
foreign invested companies in the country, with
private capital in local and international financial
most of its brands being the #1 household brands in
markets, and providing advisory and risk mitigation
the market, including Omo, Sunlight, Dove, Sunsilk,
services to businesses and governments. IFC’s vision
Clear, Lux, Close-up, Lipton, Knorr, Viso, Sunsilk, P/S
is that people should have the opportunity to escape
and Knorr. Unilever Vietnam is committed to Add
poverty and improve their lives.
Vitality to Life of the Vietnamese people through
In FY07, IFC committed $8.2 billion and mobilized
provision of international quality and affordable
an additional $3.9 billion through syndications
priced products in health, hygiene and nutrition.
and structured finance for 299 investments in 69
At the same time, through the Unilever Vietnam
developing countries. IFC also provided advisory
Foundation, the company has achieved a strong
services in 97 countries. For more information, visit
record in contributing to social and community
www.ifc.org.
initiatives in Vietnam. Its CSR programs focus on
three strategic, long-term platforms: health and
The International Labour Organization
hygiene in collaboration with the Ministry of Health;
The International Labour Organization (ILO) is
children development with Ministry of Education
the United Nations agency devoted to advancing
and Training, and women empowerment with the
opportunities for women and men to obtain decent
Vietnam Women Union (VWU). Micro finance is the
and productive work in conditions of freedom,
key component of the strategic CSR partnership
equity, security and human dignity. Its main aims
between Unilever Vietnam and the Vietnam Women
are to promote rights at work, encourage decent
Union, with the objective to help provide Vietnamese
employment opportunities, enhance social protection
women, especially rural and disadvantaged ones,
and strengthen dialogue on work-related issues.
with job and income generation opportunities.
The implementation of the Unilever Vietnam-VWU
The ILO has a unique tripartite structure in which
partnership, which commenced in 2007, is executed
employers’ and workers’ organizations have an
with the technical assistance and close cooperation
equal voice with governments in shaping its
from the Vietnam National Bank for Social Policies.
policies and programmes.
Microfinance translates fundamental ILO values into
action: it opens up opportunities for participation in
the economy, it fosters solidarity and it empowers
the working poor.
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Tuesday 26 August
10:30 - 11:00 Networking Break
14:00 - 17:30 Registration
Melia Hanoi Hotel, Hanoi, Vietnam
11:00 - 12:45
PLENARY 2: Financing and Investment
Moderator: Mr Cyrille Parant, Chief Executive Officer,
PlaNIS, France
19:00 - 19:30 Cocktail Reception
19:30 - 21:30 Opening Dinner
Hosted by Citi
Speakers
1.Mr Dirk Brouwer, Executive Director, Catalyst
Microfinance Investors, Netherlands
19:30 - 19:50 Introduction and Welcome
Mr Craig Wilson, Executive Director, The Foundation for
Development Cooperation, Australia
Ms Pamela Flaherty, Director, Corporate Citizenship, Citi, and
President & CEO, Citi Foundation
2.Mr Tor Gull, Managing Director, Oikocredit, Netherlands
3.Mr Loïc De Cannière , Managing Director, INCOFIN,
Belgium
19:50 - 20:20 Special Address
Madam Truong My Hoa, Former Vice President of Vietnam
Introduced by Mr Brett Krause, Citi Country Officer,
Citi Vietnam
4.Mr Edgar Generoso, President and Chief Executive
Officer, PCFC, Philippines
PLENARY 2
12:15 - 12:45 Discussion time and questions
12:45 - 13:45 Lunch
Wednesday 27 August
13:45 - 15:30
PLENARY 3: Savings and Asset Building
Moderator: Ms Pamela Flaherty, Director, Corporate
Citizenship, Citi, and President & CEO, Citi Foundation
08:00 - 08:30 Registration
Melia Hanoi Hotel, Hanoi, Vietnam
08:30 - 08:55 Opening Remarks
Mr Chandula Abeywickrema, Chairman, Banking With
The Poor Network, and Deputy General Manager, Hatton
National Bank, Sri Lanka
Mr Piyush Gupta, CEO, South East Asia Pacific, Citi
Speakers
1.Ms Jamie Zimmerman, Deputy Director, Global Assets
Project, New America Foundation, USA
2.Mr K. R. Srikrishna, Associate, Strategic Alliances-New
Ventures, Unitus, India
08:55 - 09:15 Keynote Address
Mr Nguyen Van Giau, Governor, State Bank of Vietnam
3.Mr Anil Mehta, Sr Director, New Markets SBU, Max New
York Life, India
Introduced by Mr Brett Krause, Citi Country Officer, Citi Vietnam
4.Mr Cesar Lopez, Regional Director-China, ACCION
International, China
09:15 - 10:30
PLENARY 1: The Future of Microfinance in Asia
Moderator: Mr Robert Annibale, Global Director, Citi
Microfinance
15:00 - 15:30 Discussion time and questions
15:30 - 16:00 Networking Break
PLENARY 1
Speakers
1.Mr Nimal Fernando, Microfinance Practice Leader, ADB,
Philippines
2.Mr Shafiqual Choudhury, President, ASA, Bangladesh
3.Mr Arnaud Ventura, Vice President, PlaNet Finance, France
4.Mr Satish Pillarisetti, Chief General Manager,
NABARD, India
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PLENARY 3
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ASIA MICROFINANCE FORUM 2008 | MELIA HANOI HOTEL, HANOI, VIETNAM | 26-29 AUGUST 2008
Wednesday 27 August - cont’d
16:00 - 17:15 CONCURRENT PANEL SESSIONS
GROUP A - Equity Investment in Microfinance
Moderator: Mr Arnaud Ventura, Vice President, PlaNet
Finance, France
GROUP D - Internet-based Lending Models Status and Trends
Moderator: Ms Melanie Aube, Senior Operations Officer, The
Foundation for Development Cooperation, Australia
Speakers
1.Mr Ravi Narasimham, Investment Director, Caspian
Advisors
Speakers
1.Mr Arvind Ashta, Professor of Finance, Control and Law,
CEREN, Burgundy School of Business, France
GROUP A
2.Mr Haje Schuette, Divison Chief, KfW Bankengruppe,
LIb Financial and Private Sector Asia, Germany
2.Mr Darren Miao, Asia Representative, Kiva, USA
3.Mr Erik Geurts, Senior Equity Investment Officer, Triple
Jump B.V. , Netherlands
3.Ms Casey Wilson, CEO, Wokai, China
19:00 - 21:30
4.Mr Bas Rekvelt, Sr. Investment Officer Asia, Netherlands
Development Finance Company (FMO), Netherlands
Venue: Vietnam National History
Museum, 1 Pham Ngu Lao St.
Keynote speaker: Mr Arnaud Ventura, Vice President, PlaNet
Finance, France and Mr Shafiqul Choudhury, President,
ASA, Bangladesh
GROUP B - Innovations in Microfinance Investment
Moderator: Mr Minh-Huy Lai, Chief Operating Officer,
PlaNet Finance, France
GROUP B
Speakers
1.Ms Cathryn Carlson, Program Manager, The
Microfinance Initiative for Asia, International Finance
Corporation, Indonesia
2.Ms Camilla Nestor, Director, Capital Management and
Advisory Center, Grameen Foundation, USA
3.Ms Femke Bos, Fund Manager, Triodos Bank, Netherlands
4. Mr Anurag Agrawal, Vice President, Intellecap, India
GROUP C - Savings Mobilisation
Moderator: Mr Frans Purnama, Chief Executive Officer,
Global Innovation Consulting, Indonesia
Speakers
1.Ms Madhurantika Moulick, Financial Systems
Specialist, MicroSave, India
GROUP C
Dinner Hosted by
2.Ms Le Nguyet Minh, Regional Program Officer, Oxfam
America, USA
3.Dr Joy Deshmukh-Ranadive, Director, Indian School
of Microfinance for Women, India
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GROUP D
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ASIA MICROFINANCE FORUM 2008 | MELIA HANOI HOTEL, HANOI, VIETNAM | 26-29 AUGUST 2008
Thursday 28 August
GROUP C - Microinsurance - Operations and
Regulations
Moderator: Mr Nimal Fernando, Microfinance Practice
Leader, ADB, Philippines
PLENARY 4
09:00 - 10:45
PLENARY 4: The Role of Networks in Advancing
Microfinance
Moderator: Mr Robert Annibale, Global Director,
Citi Microfinance
Speakers
1.Mr Edgardo F. Garcia, Executive Director, MCPI, Phillipines
Speakers
1.Mr Ayandev Saha, Manager, Health Projects, ICICI
Prudential Life Insurance Company Ltd, India
2.Mr Hout Ieng Tong, Chairman, Cambodia
Microfinance Network, Cambodia
2.Ms Elizabeth McGuinness, Senior Project Manager,
Microfinance Opportunities, USA
3.Mr Grzegorz Galusek, Executive Director, MFC, Poland
3.Dr Quynh Ngoc Nguyen, Consultant, R&D Department,
Bank for Foreign Trade of Vietnam, Vietnam
4.Andre Laude, Chief Investment Officer, Global Financial
Markets Department, IFC, USA
GROUP C
4.Dr N Jeyaseelan, Microfinance Consultant, India
10:15 - 10:45 Discussion time
10:45 - 11:15
Networking Break
11:15 - 12:30
CONCURRENT PANEL SESSIONS
GROUP D - Microfinance Partnerships
Moderator: Mr Jamie Bedson, Asia Regional
Representative, The Foundation for Development
Cooperation, Australia
GROUP A
GROUP A - Leveraging remittances - A Microfinance Issue?
Moderator: Mr Craig Wilson, Executive Director, The
Foundation for Development Cooperation, Australia
Speakers
1.Dr Sankar Datta, Dean, The Livelihood School, Basix, India
2.Mr Fazlul Kader, General Manager, PKSF, Bangladesh
Speakers
1.Ms Angela Heng, Vice-President, Asia-Pacific, The
Western Union Company, China
3.Mr Shankar Man Shrestha, CEO, RMDC, Nepal
4.Mr Ruben de Lara, Executive Director, TSPI, Philippines
2.Mr Mohammad Rashed Al Hasan, Program Officer,
INAFI, Bangladesh
12:30 - 13:30
Lunch
3.TBA
13.30 - 17.30 AFTERNOON ACTIVITIES (SELECT ONE)
12:30 - 17:30 Field Visit, hosted by Vietnam
Microfinance Working Group
TYM Fund of the Vietnam Women’s Union and Binhminh will
host field visits to see branches at work outside Hanoi. Numbers
limited for attendance.
GROUP B - Microfinance and Housing
Moderator: Bridget Centenera, Microfinance Programs
Director, Sigma Global Company, Australia
GROUP B
Speakers
1.Mr Eduardo Jimenez, Microfinance Consultant, Central
Bank of the Philippines, Philippines
13:30 - 18:00
2.Mr Wesley Nguyen, National Program Director, Habitat
for Humanity, Vietnam
19:00 - 21:30 Dinner Hosted by Vietnam
Bank for Social Policies
Venue: Horison Hotel 40 Cat Linh Street, Hanoi
Keynote speaker: Madam Ha Thi Hanh, General Director, VBSP
3.Mr Rolando Victoria, Executive Director, ASKI, Philippines
4.Mr Alok Prasad, Country Director, Microfinance Group,
Citi India
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PlaNet Finance investor-MFI
matchmaking event
GROUP D
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ASIA MICROFINANCE FORUM 2008 | MELIA HANOI HOTEL, HANOI, VIETNAM | 26-29 AUGUST 2008
Friday 29 August
08:30 - 10:15
PLENARY 5: Microfinance and Technology
Moderator: Ms Nina Nayar, Microfinance Consultant
and BWTP Network Consultant, India
GROUP A - Policy, Perception and Perspective:
Microfinance Networks and Advocacy
Moderator: Mr Eduardo Jimenez, Microfinance Consultant,
Central Bank of the Philippines
Speakers
1.Mr Omar Andaya, President, Green Bank, The
Philippines
Speakers
1.Ms Vijayalakshmi Das, CEO, FWWB, India
2.Mr Alberto Jimenez, Global Business Advisor FSS, IBM
Global Services, USA
3.Mrs Le Lan, Lead of Advocacy Taskforce ,VMFWG, Vietnam
2.Mr Wolday Amha, Executive Director, AEMFI, Ethiopia
PLENARY 5
3.Mr Abu Saleh Mohammad Musa, Chief Investment
Officer, Microenterprise Development Fund, Anukul
Foundation, Bangladesh
GROUP B - Microfinance and Technology Banking the Unbanked
Moderator: Mr Lasantha Mendis, Director, Lak Jaya Ltd,
Sri Lanka
4.Mr Chandula Abeywickrema, Chairman, Banking
With The Poor Network, and Deputy General Manager,
Hatton National Bank, Sri Lanka
9:45 - 10:15
Speakers
1.Ms Pia Roman, Head, Inclusive Finance Advocacy,
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Phillipines
Discussion time
2.Mr Ryk Ramos, E-Commerce Director,
B2Bpricenow.com Inc, Philippines
Networking Break
3.Mr
Fadri Effendy, Business Development Manager,
MICRA, Indonesia
10:30 - 12:15
PLENARY 6: Microfinance and Environmental
Sustainable Development
Moderator: Mr Bastiaan Teune, Advisor, Biogas/
Renewable Energy, SNV, Vietnam
GROUP C - Energy lending - Access to Modern and
Renewable Energy
Moderator: Ms Nicola Armacost, Founder, ARC Finance,
USA
Speakers
1.Mr Minh Cuong Le Quan, Manager, Climate Change
Unit, Renewable Energy, Environment and Solidarity
Group (GERES), Cambodia
Speakers
1.Ms Kathleen Robbins, Director, Clean Energy, Green
Microfinance, USA
2.Mr Prem Subedi, Microfinance Specialist, Winrock, Nepal
3.Ms Nicola Armacost, Founder, ARC Finance, USA
3.Mr Emil Anthony, Deputy Managing Director, SEEDS, Sri
Lanka
4.Mr Jack Sim, Founder and Director, World Toilet
Organisation, Singapore
4.Ms Sally Burns, Managing Director, Sigma Global,
Australia
11:45 - 12:15 Discussion time
Lunch
13:15 - 14:30
CONCURRENT PANEL SESSIONS
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GROUP C
PLENARY 6
2.Mr Gil Dennis Raposa, Managing Partner, Integrated
Conservation Solutions Asia Co. Ltd., Philippines
12:15 - 13:15
GROUP B
10:15 - 10:30
GROUP A
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ASIA MICROFINANCE FORUM 2008 | MELIA HANOI HOTEL, HANOI, VIETNAM | 26-29 AUGUST 2008
Friday 29 August - cont’d
GROUP D - Microfinance Regulations New Policy Options
Moderator: Dr John Conroy, Special Consultant, The
Foundation for Development Cooperation, Australia
15:00 - 16:15
PLENARY 7: Vietnam’s Microfinance Industry Opportunities and Challenges
Moderator: Mr Noritaka Akamatsu, Lead Financial
Economist, World Bank, Vietnam
GROUP D
Speakers
1.Mrs Rose Cooray, Assistant Governor, Central Bank of
Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka
Speakers
1.Mr Truong Ngoc Anh, Deputy Director, State Bank of
Vietnam, Vietnam
2.Mr Abdul Awal, Director, Credit and Development
Forum, Bangladesh
2.Mr Le Hong Phong, Deputy Director-General, Vietnam
Bank for Social Policies, Vietnam
3.Ms Savita Shankar, Researcher, National University
of Singapore, Singapore
14:30 - 15:00
Networking Break
15:00 - 16:15
CONCURRENT PANEL SESSIONS
3.Mrs Duong Thi Ngoc Linh, President, VMFWG, Deputy
Director of TYM Fund, Vietnam
4.Mr Nguyen T Binh, Financial Specialist, ADB, Philippines
16:00 - 16:15 Discussion time
GROUP A - Credit Bureaus and Microfinance
Moderator: Ms Kelly Hattel, Microfinance Consultant, USA
16:15 - 17:45
CLOSING PLENARY: The Future of Microfinance in Asia:
Assessing the Outlook
Moderator: Mr Craig Wilson, Executive Director, The
Foundation for Development Cooperation
GROUP A
Speakers
1.Mr Miguel Llenas, Credit Bureau Advisor, USA
2.Mr Moazzam Iqbal, Network Coordinator, Pakistan
Microfinance Network, Pakistan
Speakers
1.Mr Chandula Abeywickrema, Chairman, Banking
With the Poor Network and Deputy General Manager,
Hatton National Bank, Sri Lanka
3.Ms Margarete Biallas, Program Manager, Access to
Finance, International Finance Corporation, Vietnam
GROUP B - Sustainable Development in Rural
Communities
Moderator: Ms Paula Bennett, Director, Corporate
Citizenship, Citi Asia Pacific
2.Mr Blaine Stephens, Chief Operating Officer and
Director of Analysis, MIX Market, USA
Speakers
1.Mr Sohel Mahmud Sagar, Executive Vice President,
ASA, Bangladesh
4.Mr Ron Bevacqua, Director, PlaNet Finance’s Asia
Technical Hub, Japan
3.Ms Syeda Obaida Haque, Program Director, Shakti
Foundation, Bangladesh
5.Dr John Conroy, Special Consultant, The Foundation
for Development Cooperation, Australia
2.Mr Kunto Binawan, Associate, PT Starling Asia,
Indonesia
17:15 - 17:45 Discussion time
3.Ms Le Thi Hao, Community Development Expert, UEPP,
Vietnam
17:45 - 18:00 Closing remarks
Mr Chandula Abeywickrema, Chairman, Banking With
The Poor Network, and Deputy General Manager, Hatton
National Bank, Sri Lanka
Mr Brett Krause, Citi Country Officer, Citi Vietnam
| 12 |
CLOSING PLENARY
GROUP B
PLENARY 7
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ASIA MICROFINANCE FORUM 2008 | MELIA HANOI HOTEL, HANOI, VIETNAM | 26-29 AUGUST 2008
VBSP FIELD VISIT GROUP A
Saturday 30 August - VBSP Field Visit
GROUP A - Hung Yen
GROUP C - Phu Tho
08:00
Assembly at the Melia Hanoi Hotel lobby
08:00
Assembly at the Melia Hanoi Hotel lobby
Proceed to VBSP Provincial Branch
Proceed to VBSP Provincial Branch
09:30 - 09:45
Welcome remarks by the Director of Hung Yen Provincial
Branch
09:30 - 09:45
Welcome remarks by the Director of Phu Tho Provincial
Branch
Proceed direct to the transaction point at selected
commune
Proceed direct to the transaction point at selected
commune
10:15 - 11:30
Meet and dialogue with VBSP clients at the transaction
point at selected commune
10:15 - 11:30
Meet and dialogue with VBSP clients at the transaction
point at selected commune
11:30 - 12:30
Lunch
11:30 - 12:30
Lunch
12:30 - 16:00
Visit some microfinance models of selected VBSP clients
12:30 - 16:00
Visit some microfinance models of VBSP selected clients
18:00
Drop at the hotel lobby
18:00
Drop at the hotel lobby
VBSP FIELD VISIT GROUP B
10:15 - 11:30
Meet and dialogue with VBSP clients at the transaction
point at selected commune
GROUP B - Hai Duong
08:00
Assembly at the Melia Hanoi Hotel lobby
11:30 - 12:30
Lunch
Proceed to VBSP Provincial Branch
09:30 - 09:45
Welcome remarks by the Director of Hai Duong Provincial
Branch
12:30 - 16:00
Visit some microfinance models of VBSP selected clients
Proceed direct to the transaction point at selected
commune
18:00
Drop at the hotel lobby
| 13 |
VBSP FIELD VISIT GROUP C
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ASIA MICROFINANCE FORUM 2008 | MELIA HANOI HOTEL, HANOI, VIETNAM | 26-29 AUGUST 2008
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ASIA MICROFINANCE FORUM 2008 | MELIA HANOI HOTEL, HANOI, VIETNAM | 26-29 AUGUST 2008
P RO FIL ES
Andre Laude
Abu Saleh Mohammad Musa
Andre Laude is Chief Investment Officer for IFC’s
Abu Saleh Mohammad Musa is a young professional in
Micro and Small Business Finance Worldwide. He
the area of microfinance and business development,
has over 15 years of financial markets experience on
currently working as the Chief
Wall Street, in London, Mexico City and Casablanca,
Investment
-
including management consulting for the Financial
Microenterprise Development
Institutions Group at Booz-Allen & Hamilton. Andre
Fund of Anukul Foundation, a
holds a M.A. international economics of the School of
spin-off microfinance entity of
Advanced International Studies of the John Hopkins
CARE Bangladesh. He combines
University. Andre was also a Hoover Foundation
strong analytical, financial and
Fellow for the Development of the Universite Libre de
management skills with expertise in microfinance,
Bruxelles. Andre holds the following Board positions:
participatory
product
Chair, Global Microfinance Facility; Director, CoopEst
social
Fund in Eastern Europe; Director, MicroCred S.A.
appraisal
development,
and
technology
Global Financial Markets Department focusing on
Officer
training,
innovation,
Investment Holdings.
performance management and product costing. He is a
Certified Service Provider (CSP) for MicroSave in Market
Angela Heng
Research for Microfinance Toolkit. Mr. Musa has
completed his MBA in Finance from the University of
Angela Heng is Regional Vice President, Corporate
Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Affairs for The Western Union Company, with
Alok Prasad
responsibility
affairs
Alok Prasad is Country Director of Citi’s India’s
Global
Cards.
A
corporate
countries and territories in
Development for Citi India’s
Banking
public
communications across 38
Microfinance Group and Head of Strategy & Business
Consumer
and
for
Asia Pacific. A member of the
and
Asia Pacific executive team,
senior
she also leads the company’s
banker with over 25 years of
regional
experience, Alok began his
efforts
in
community
development,
working closely with The Western Union Foundation
career with the Reserve
and NGOs to create economic opportunities for the
Bank of India. In 1989, he
communities in which Western Union customers
was seconded to the National Housing Bank where
and employees live and work.
he was closely associated with the framing of
policies for the housing finance sector. In 1996, he
moved to the private sector as the CEO of ITC Home
Finance Limited. Alok joined Citi in 2000 and has
been instrumental in building Citi’s home equity
business in India.
| 14 |
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ASIA MICROFINANCE FORUM 2008 | MELIA HANOI HOTEL, HANOI, VIETNAM | 26-29 AUGUST 2008
Anurag Agrawal
Arvind Ashta
Anurag Agrawal is a Vice President at Intellecap and
Arvind Ashta is a professor of finance, control and
leads the Investment advisory practice of the firm
law at the Burgundy School of Business (Groupe ESC
with specific focus on assisting
Dijon-Bourgogne) in France.
early stage multiple bottom-
He offers an optional course in
line enterprises access growth
Microfinance
capital in the form of equity
currently his main field of
investments. He has been
research. Within this field he is
involved with carrying out
looking at usury legislation,
valuations for most of the
ethics, economics of capital
leading microfinance institutions in India and has
flows and peer to peer lending. He holds a B.A.
also assisted some of these institutions in their fund
(Hons.) in Economics from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi
raising efforts. Anurag manages some of the key
University, a PGDM from IIM Calcutta and a Doctorate
client and investor relationships for Intellecap. He has
in Law from the University of Paris 2 (Panthéon-
worked with several socially oriented investors
Assas). He worked 17 years in Corporate Enterprises
assisting them in identifying suitable investment
in India and France before entering academics.
and
this
is
opportunities in the development finance space,
Ayandev Saha
carrying out preliminary due diligences exercises on
their behalf and facilitating investment transactions
Mr. Saha is currently a Project Manager (Health) in
into such entities.
ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Company, a joint
Arnaud Ventura
venture between ICICI Bank
Arnaud Ventura is currently President of MicroCred
holds post graduate degree in
S.A.’s Board of Directors and Vice-President of PlaNet
Economics from University of
Finance. Arnaud founded MicroCred in 2005 and
Calcutta and an MBA degree
served as CEO of the organization. Prior to founding
with
MicroCred, Arnaud co-founded and managed
Insurance
and Prudential Plc. Ayandev
PlaNet Finance from 1998 to 2005. As CEO of PlaNet
specialization
from
in
National
Insurance Academy (NIA), Pune, India.
Finance, Arnaud led the development of PlaNet
He is doing extensive research in the field of
Finance from a modest provider of microfinance
microfinance
services with a yearly budget of 500 KUSD in 1999
and
presented
several
insurance
and management related papers in the field
to a diversified microfinance group with a TA
of microfinance at national and international
budget of over 15 MUSD. Before co-founding PlaNet
conferences / seminars organised by institutions like
Finance, Arnaud worked for BNP Paribas in France
Actuarial Society of India, Asia Insurance Review,
and then in Argentina from 1995 till 1998. Prior to
CGAP, GTZ, IIM-Ahmedabad, ISB-Hyderabad, IIM-
that, Arnaud participated in the creation of two
Bangalore, IRDA, PDMA, Munich Re Foundation,
leading Internet service providers in France and in
Micro Insurance Centre and World Bank.
Thailand (1993 - 1995).
| 15 |
age
ASIA MICROFINANCE FORUM 2008 | MELIA HANOI HOTEL, HANOI, VIETNAM | 26-29 AUGUST 2008
Bas Rekvelt
Brett Krause
Bas started his professional career in corporate
Brett Krause was appointed Citi Country Officer of
banking at ING. In 2001 he joined Triodos Investment
Citi Vietnam in July 2008. Brett started his career
Management. At Triodos he
with Citi in France in 1993,
managed among others a
and has held various roles for
portfolio
Citi in Taiwan, Japan and
of
microfinance
investments across Asia.
China.
in
Before
moving
to
Vietnam, Brett was Head of
2007 Bas joined FMO as a
Citi China’s Global Transaction
senior investment officer for
Services, based in Shanghai.
Asia. During his career he
closed several equity transactions with microfinance
Brett is a Governor of the American Chamber of
institutions and served on the board of directors of
Commerce in Vietnam, and he has also served as a
some of these institutions.
strategic advisor for the Joint U.S.-China Cooperation
on Clean Energy. Brett holds a Bachelor of Science in
Foreign Service from Georgetown University and an
Blaine Stephens
MBA degree from Columbia Business School.
Blaine Stephens is Director of Analysis at the
Camilla Nestor
Microfinance Information eXchange, Inc. (MIX),
the world’s leading source of data and information
Camilla Nestor joined Grameen Foundation in
on MFIs and their funders. It is the publisher of
August 2005. She has twelve years of experience
the industry leading publication on microfinance
in microfinance and commercial banking. Before
benchmarking, the MicroBanking Bulletin (www.
joining Grameen, she was an associate in Citigroup’s
mixmbb.org), and is home to the industry’s largest
Structured Corporate Finance Department where
portal (www.mixmarket.org) of market data on
she originated and executed credit-enhanced debt
microfinance institutions and other industry actors.
financings for emerging markets firms in Eastern
Blaine is responsible for MIX’s global coverage of
Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Prior to joining
the microfinance market, managing its team of
Citi, she spent five years living and working in
microfinance analysts, publishing and training
Southeast Asia, the Balkans, and Africa supporting
widely on MFI performance and leading MIX’s
microfinance
institutions
on
start-up,
growth
management, new product development, and capital
efforts to standardize microfinance reporting.
raising. Camilla holds an MBA and a masters degree
in International Affairs from Columbia University. She
speaks Bahasa Indonesia and is conversant in French.
| 16 |
age
ASIA MICROFINANCE FORUM 2008 | MELIA HANOI HOTEL, HANOI, VIETNAM | 26-29 AUGUST 2008
Casey Wilson
Casey
leads
Chandula Abeywickrema
Wokai’s
business
strategy
and
Current Chairman of Banking with the Poor Network,
development, website development, Field Partner
is attached to the Hatton National Bank, which is
due-diligence evaluation, and
the largest private commercial
public outreach. She graduated
bank
Phi Beta Kappa from Wesleyan
graduated with a Bachelor of
University
Commerce (Special) Degree
with
a
BA
in
in
Sri
Economics. While at Wesleyan,
from
she
Kelaniya,
Sri
Lanka
functions
as
the
focused
development
on
economic
and
its
applications in China.
the
Lanka.
University
He
of
and
Deputy
General Manager – Personal Banking & Network
Management.
After graduation, she completed a course of study at
Tsinghua University and the University of California
In addition to the above positions he has recently
at Berkeley’s Inter-University Program (IUP) for
been appointed Team Leader for micro finance for
advanced Chinese. Prior to studying at Tsinghua,
the Asian Bankers Association and also Chairman of
she spent two summers studying Chinese at the
Lanka Financial Services for Underserved Settlements
Middlebury College Intensive Chinese School.
(LFSUS) which a UNDP funded organization with
private & public sector participation.
Cesar Lopez
Craig Wilson
Mr. Lopez has worked with ACCION since 1995 and
currently serves as vice president and program
Craig Wilson is Executive Director of The Foundation
manager. Prior to this position,
for Development Cooperation in Australia.
Mr. Lopez served as senior
The
Foundation for Development
director of Latin America
Cooperation
Operations. From 1995 to
1997, Mr. Lopez was director
of the U.S. and Latin America
operations. Mr. Lopez worked as a senior consultant
is
an
independent,
not-for-profit
international
development
organisation.
Through
in KPMG Peat Marwick’s Transfer Pricing & Economic
alliances and partnerships,
Analysis and Policy Economic Group (currently the
FDC undertakes a range of
Barents Group). Mr. Lopez holds Doctoral and MA
initiatives
which
seek
to
degrees in Economics from UCLA and an MBA from
improve the lives of poor people in developing
UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business.
countries.
Craig is an economist with extensive
economic policy and business experience. He has
worked with numerous international organisations
including the World Bank, IFC, UNDP, USAID and
others. During the 1990s he served as a diplomat in
the Australian foreign service. Craig is co-author of
two recent books which focus on opportunities for
private sector involvement in poverty reduction.
| 17 |
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ASIA MICROFINANCE FORUM 2008 | MELIA HANOI HOTEL, HANOI, VIETNAM | 26-29 AUGUST 2008
Dirk Brouwer
Craig has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Asian Studies
from Griffith University, Brisbane, and a Master’s
degree in International Affairs, specialising in
Dirk Brouwer is Executive Director of Catalyst
Economic Policy Management, from Columbia
Microfinance Investors (“CMI”), a microfinance private
University, New York.
equity
fund
(www.catalyst-microfinance.com),
which dedicates itself to equity or hybrid equity
Cyrille Parant
investments in promising, emerging microfinance
In January 2008, Cyrille PARANT, 48, was named Head
CMI was established in 2005 and is managed by an
of PlaNet Finance’s new Investment Services unit
investment management company which is owned
(PlaNIS). In 2006, Cyrille was Head of the International
and operated in partnership by ASA of Bangladesh
Microfinance Portfolio of BNP Paribas, responsible for
and Sequoia of the Netherlands.
institutions (“MFI”) throughout Asia and Africa.
developing the bank’s microfinance portfolio. Before
Dirk is also the founder and Managing Director
joining the world of Microfinance, Cyrille spent
of Sequoia (www.sequoia.eu), an international
almost 25 years as an investment banker for Banque
corporate finance advisory and private equity firm
Paribas and then BNP Paribas, after the merger of the
based in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands.
two banks in 1999. While with Banque Paribas and
Dirk holds a Masters Degree in Economics from the
then BNP Paribas Cyrille served mostly in the Asia
Erasmus University of Rotterdam and a Masters of
Pacific and Middle East, including Abu Dhabi, Korea,
Business Administration (MBA) from the Graduate
Spain, and Singapore. He also held several tenures in
School of Business of Stanford University, California.
the Paris head office.
Ed Jimenez
Darren Miao
Ed Cabral Jimenez is currently serving as the BSP
Darren is responsible for growing and managing
Microfinance Consultant since 2001.
Kiva’s network of MFI partners in the East Asia-Pacific
He was the
former Executive Director of the microfinance
Region. He previously worked in commercial banking
network APPEND (1995-1999) and was also the
at Bank of America in their Leadership Rotation
Deputy Director of KMBI, a microfinance NGO from
Program and also brings four years of experience
1993 to 1995. Prior to moving to the NGO sector
from the social enterprise consulting firm Community
he worked in various capacities with the then
Wealth Ventures. Darren developed a passion for
Central Bank of the Philippines from 1978-1994.
microfinance while attending business school where
His last posting at the Central Bank was as Treasury
he worked on a voluntary basis for both Microcredit
Operations Officer wherein he helped managed
Enterprises and Microplace. Darren holds an MBA
the Bank’s international portfolio. Ed has provided
from the Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley and
technical assistance to the Credit Policy Improvement
a B.A from Duke University.
Program (CPIP), a bilateral assistance focused in
strengthening the legal, regulatory environment
for MFIs, especially the cooperative sector. He was
also the ADB Housing Microfinance Consultant
that implemented the Development of Poor Urban
Communities Sector Project (DPUCSP and the ADB
Financial Literacy Specialist that helped craft the
Philippine Microfinance Financial Literacy Program).
| 18 |
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ASIA MICROFINANCE FORUM 2008 | MELIA HANOI HOTEL, HANOI, VIETNAM | 26-29 AUGUST 2008
Emil Anthony
Fazlul Kader
Mr. Emil Anthony is the Deputy Managing Director
Mr. Fazlul Kader, General Manager of PKSF, has been
of SEEDS Guarantee Limited. He Counts over 30
working with this organization since its inception
years of experience in Commercial Banking, and in
in 1990. He studied Economics
State and Private sectors, and holds two Master’s
and Business Administration
Degree in Economics and in Business Administration
in University of Dhaka and
from the University of Colombo. In consideration
received training from Asian
of his contribution to the banking industry and his
Institute of Technology and
academic achievements, he was awarded Fellowship
Harvard University. Mr. Kader
in Institute of Bankers of Sri Lanka in 1998.
has
been
playing
an
important role in the operations department of PKSF
Erik Geurts
over the last 18 years, which is the biggest apex
funding and institution building organization for
After working as a special credits loan officer for an
MFIs and a role model of its kind in the world.
international factoring company, I started in 1997
as a micro finance investment
Mr. Kader has also worked as an apex-funding
officer for Triodos Bank in the
specialist in a number of South Asian, Middle Eastern
Netherlands. As such I worked
and African countries.
on micro finance and fair
Femke Bos
trade finance projects, mainly
in Latin America. There I
Femke Bos is Fund Manager at Triodos Investment
gained my experience with equity deals in various
Management, part of the Triodos Bank Group in the
grades of complexity. This experience included board
Netherlands. She manages
memberships. In 2006 I started working for Triple
one of the three mixed debt/
Jump in order to assist with building up an equity
equity funds (total invested
portfolio.
capital
EUR
130
million)
At the moment I’m alternate board member of
under Triodos’ management
Edpyme Confianza in Peru and about to be elected
investing
board member of HKL in Cambodia.
institutions
in
microfinance
in
developing
countries. She is also responsible for a number of
direct investments in microfinance in Asia and the
Middle East and serves on the board of directors of
XacBank in Mongolia, ACLEDA Bank Plc. in Cambodia
and ACLEDA Bank Lao Ltd in Lao PDR.
Prior to joining Triodos Bank in 2002, she held several
positions with ABN AMRO Bank in the Netherlands.
She obtained a Master’s degree in Law from the
University of Amsterdam.
| 19 |
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ASIA MICROFINANCE FORUM 2008 | MELIA HANOI HOTEL, HANOI, VIETNAM | 26-29 AUGUST 2008
Frans Purnama
Grzegorz Galusek
Frans Purnama started his own Microfinance
Grzegorz
Institution in Tangerang in 1998 which has become
Microfinance Centre (MFC) for Central and Eastern
one of the leading MFIs in Indonesia. Then in 2003 he
Europe
joined Habitat For Humanity International as National
Independent
Program Director for the Housing Microfinance
and the NIS), is a microfinance
Program.
specialist with significant field
Galusek,
executive
based in Poland.
established Global Innovation Consulting (GIC) in
Newly
States
(C&EE
As director of the MFC he has
designed regional and country specific programmes
early 2007, a technical services provider focusing
which address the needs for financial and non-
on Microfinance with a Head Office in Jakarta and
financial services among low-income people and
representative office in Singapore. GIC provides
micro-entrepreneurs. Additionally, Mr Galusek has
technical assistance for more than 70 organisations,
initiated a regional, microfinance policy program
providing training and consultancy to more than 70
with a broad goal of fostering creation of a favorable
different MFIs (both Bank and non-Bank MFIs). Since
legal and regulatory framework for access to financial
April 2008, Frans Purnama has been assigned to
services for low-income people in specific countries
Grameen Foundation USA as Program Management
of C&EE and the NIS. Currently, Mr Galusek serves on
Consultant for Village Phone project in Indonesia.
the UN Adviors Group on Inclusive Financial Sectors.
Gil Dennis Raposa
Haje Schütte
Gil Dennis A. Raposa is the founding Managing
Haje Schütte is Division Chief for Financial and
Partner of Integrated Conservation Solutions Asia Co.
Private
Ltd. and the President of the InterActive Asia Group.
Sector
Development
extensive
and Community Investment Forum (CCIF), in
KfW
and
in
small
enterprise finance in Asia,
of CCIF work for the IFC/GEF-funded project on
Eastern Europe and Africa.He
marine aquarium fishes and coral reefs ecosystem
is
conservation. A recognized expert in the fields of
a
graduate
from
the
London School of Economics,
micro, small and medium enterprise development,
Free
business strategy formulation, strategic planning,
Mr.
at
experience
microfinance
whose capacity he managed the implementation
training
Asia
Development Bank. He has
He is also a Senior Associate with the Conservation
development,
the
microfinance institution (MFI)
as Banking & Microfinance Specialist. Frans Purnama
entrepreneurship
the
working for Fundusz Mikro, a
4 years and worked for the Asian Development Bank
development,
and
of
experience gained through
Later, he represented ACDI VOCA as the Trustee for
organizational
director
University
of
Development Institute.
and
Raposa’s
consulting involvements span over fifteen years with
government, non-government, private, as well as
foreign-funded projects (World Bank, UNDP, CIDA,
AusAid, IFC, etc) in the Philippines and in selected
Asian countries.
| 20 |
Berlin
and
the
German
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ASIA MICROFINANCE FORUM 2008 | MELIA HANOI HOTEL, HANOI, VIETNAM | 26-29 AUGUST 2008
Hout Ieng Tong
Jamie Zimmerman
Mr. Tong, a Cambodian national, Mr. Hout Ieng Tong
Jamie M. Zimmerman is Deputy Director of the
was one of the founders of Hattha Kaksekar NGO,
Global Assets Project, a joint venture of the Asset
in 1996, and is also the General Manager of Hattha
Building Program at the New
Kaksekar Limited. He has been a Board member since
America Foundation and the
March 1996, and represents the shareholding of
Center for Social Development at
Hattha Kaksekar NGO. He is also the board member of
Washington University in St.
Cambodian Microfinance Association since 2004 and
Louis. The project aims to
elected as Chairman in 2008. In 1991, he obtained a
inform and stimulate global
Bachelor of Agriculture degree in Phnom Penh, and
asset-building
the
increasingly
innovations
holds a Masters of Business Administration from
among
Build Bright University. He worked as an economic
microfinance, financial education, social policy, and
researcher for 3 years and has 14 years management
commercial
experience in the microfinance sector.
Zimmerman
financial
was
integrated
services.
the
areas
Previously,
Associate
Director
of
Ms.
of
Globalization Studies at the University of North
Jamie Bedson
Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Kenan Institute of Private
Enterprise. She is a graduate of the University of
Jamie is the Asia Regional Representative for
Kentucky, where she also earned a master’s degree in
the Foundation for Development Cooperation
international political economy and international
(Singapore) and Lead Coordinator of the Banking
development
with the Poor Network. Jamie’s recent work with FDC
School
of
Human Rights Concerns in Trade Policymaking,
microfinance and the role of microfinance networks,
published in 2007.
as well as undertaking research into the emerging
issue of energy and microfinance.
Jeyaseelan Natarajan
His past research and professional work has focused
development
Patterson
co-author of Trade Imbalance: The Struggle to Weigh
programs to advance the partnership approach in
community
the
Diplomacy and International Commerce. She is the
has concentrated on Banking with the Poor Network
on
from
issues
Dr.Jeyaseelan Natarajan holds a M.B.A. in Banking &
including
Ph.D in Micro finance. During his two decades of
microfinance, refugee resettlement and water and
rural banking career, he has
sanitation. He is based in Singapore having recently
piloted several micro finance
opened FDC’s first office outside of Australia.
products & processes. He has
handled
assignments
on
Micro credit / Micro insurance
for UNDP, UNOPS, IFAD, WPI
& GTZ in India and abroad. He has won the “Micro
Finance Knowledge Promoter Award 2007” from
United Nations - Solution exchange, New Delhi. He
has developed
training manuals and conducted
ToTs for NGOs & sensitization programs to bank
managers.
Currently, he is facilitating the NGO –
MFI transformation process
Tamilnadu , India.
| 21 |
in Hand in Hand
age
ASIA MICROFINANCE FORUM 2008 | MELIA HANOI HOTEL, HANOI, VIETNAM | 26-29 AUGUST 2008
John Conroy
John
Conroy
K. R. Srikrishna
has
been
an
economist
and
K. R. Srikrishna is an Associate at Unitus with more
development practitioner since 1968, with extensive
than more than five years of microfinance and
periods of residence in Papua
development sector experience including two
New Guinea and Indonesia,
years at Ujjivan, one of India’s leading microfinance
and field experience in South
organizations.
and East Asia. His interest in
Prior to Unitus, Srikrishna was a part of the start
rural- and micro-finance dates
up team at Ujjivan Financial Services, an urban
from 1991, when he became
microfinance organization, where he worked across
associated with ‘Banking with
functions including marketing and distribution,
the Poor’. He was Executive Director of FDC until 2000.
setting up and managing microfinance branches,
John is now Special Consultant to FDC, as well as
product development, training, microfinance plus
consulting independently. Dr Conroy has been
initiatives and he also led the technology setup.
associated with APEC since 1995, managing a ‘secondtrack’ process on Economic and Technical Cooperation
Srikrishna has been a consultant for the World Bank
between 1995 and 2000 and acting as consultant to
and International Financial Corporation (IFC) on
the government of Mexico when it chaired the APEC
microfinance and Small to Medium Enterprise (SME)
process in 2002. He is now associated with the ABAC
lending in South Asia and Africa. He holds a B. E.
initiative on financial inclusion.
in Computer Science and Engineering from RVCE,
Bangalore.
Joy Deshmukh-Ranadive
Kathleen Robbins
Joy Deshmukh-Ranadive is Director of the Indian
School of Microfinance for Women, Ahmedabad,
An accomplished senior executive, a dynamic
Gujarat, India. The School is
leader and a proven innovator, teacher and serial
a
entrepreneur, Dr. Kathleen Robbins brings more
capacity
organization
building
engaged
in
than twenty five years of successful leadership
spreading microfinance as a
experience in all aspects of business management,
strategy
for
business development, marketing and information
alleviation
through
poverty
the
communications technology. Following 8 years as
development of appropriate
CEO of a cellular company, Kathleen developed a
knowledge and skilled human resources via
replication of the Grameen Village phone program
trainings and research. A doctorate in economics,
in Haiti and now a clean biofuels program. With
Deshmukh-Ranadive has over twenty years of
an engineering science degree and MBA to round
experience in gender and development.
out
her
education,
Kathleen
oversees
Microfinance’s Clean Energy Programs.
| 22 |
Green
age
ASIA MICROFINANCE FORUM 2008 | MELIA HANOI HOTEL, HANOI, VIETNAM | 26-29 AUGUST 2008
Kelly Hattel
Le Thi Hao
Kelly Hattel is a microfinance
Ms Hao has been working in international Water
specialist
Supply and Environmental Sanitation Projects over
with
extensive
private and non-profit sector
12
experience in strategic and
experienced
business
development and participation
financial
analysis,
development,
and
economic
fundraising,
years.
as
and
well
She
in
is
very
community
as
institutional
development components of
project management. Currently working with the
various
projects
including
SEEP Network under the Citi Network Strengthening
AusAID, ADB, DANIDA and EU projects. She has
Program, she is providing strategic and operational
developed, implemented, managed, monitored and
support to a number of networks in Asia. Prior to this,
evaluated
she has worked with regional networks in Africa and
comprehensive Community Development Program.
the Middle East and country-level networks in Benin
This includes training community-based teams to
and Pakistan. In addition, Ms. Hattel worked for five
implement
years as director of the MicroFinance Network, a
Scheme, Urban Environmental Planning, Community
global network of leading microfinance providers
Awareness and working closely with key stakeholder
from 26 countries. Ms. Hattel holds a Bachelors
groups and identify change agents to develop the
degree in International Studies and Law from The
capacity to sustain the development process.
the
Projects’
baseline
multi-faceted
surveys,
Sanitation
and
Credit
American University in Washington, DC and a Masters
Liz McGuinness
degree in international economics from the Johns
Hopkins University School of Advanced International
Elizabeth McGuinness has more than 11 years of
Studies. Ms. Hattel is currently based in Berkeley,
professional
California.
experience
in
microfinance.
Liz
has worked as the Senior
Le Hong Phong
Project
Manager
Current Deputy General Director of VBSP, which is the
since
largest microfinance bank in Vietnam. He graduated
oversees
with a Bachelor of Banking Degree from the Banking
from a large scale impact
University of Hanoi, Vietnam. He earned a Master
assessment of microfinance
degree from National Economics University and Ph.D
innovations, to market research studies on the
from Banking University of Hanoi.
demand for microinsurance, to the development of
Microfinance
insurance
education
Opportunities
2004
materials
at
where
projects
and
she
ranging
to
social
performance initiatives. Prior to this, she worked for
Save the Children where she managed a group
lending program in Tajikistan and later while based
in Washington, provided technical assistance to
microfinance programs in Africa, Latin America and
Central Asia. She has an MA in Economics from New
York University and a BA in Economics from McGill
University.
| 23 |
age
ASIA MICROFINANCE FORUM 2008 | MELIA HANOI HOTEL, HANOI, VIETNAM | 26-29 AUGUST 2008
Loïc De Cannière
Magali Paulus
Loïc De Cannière (°1959) is Managing Director of
Having a degree in social anthropology and a master
Incofin, a Belgium based microfinance investment
in humanitarian assistance, Magali Paulus worked
fund manager. He joined Incofin in 2001 and
for several years on emergency and development
successfully reoriented the company’s strategy. In
projects in Laos, Sri Lanka and Burkina Faso. After
August 2007, he launched “Rural Impulse Fund”, a
these valuable field experiences, she decided to
Luxembourg SICAV-FIS, in co-operation with EIB, IFC,
go back to Luxembourg (where she was born and
FMO, BIO and private investors, such as KBC Private
raised) to teach development anthropology at a
Equity. Before he joined Incofin, Loïc De Cannière was
nearby German university. Mid 2007 she decided
responsible for project finance at the DEME Group,
to make her interest in microfinance more concrete
where he structured large port and environmental
and applied for a job at the Luxembourg based
projects in Tunisia, Ghana, Nigeria, Qatar, India,
microfinance NGO ADA. Since July 2007 she’s in
Bangladesh and Taiwan. Loïc De Cannière studied
charge of ADA’s support programme for microfinance
economics and philosophy at the Universities of
professional associations and networks.
Louvain (Belgium) and Munich (Germany).
Margarete Biallas
Madhurantika Moulick
Margarete Biallas manages IFC’s Access to Finance
Madhurantika Moulick is working as Financial Systems
Program in the Mekong region since 2006,
Specialist with MicroSave in India. She has worked
responsible
extensively in Asia and Africa with a diverse range
development and delivery of
of financial institutions providing technical inputs
IFC’s
on Strategic Business Planning, Strategic Marketing,
advisory services.
Loan Portfolio Audit, Human Resource Management,
joining IFC Margarete worked
Market Research for Microfinance, Process Mapping,
10 years for KfW. Ms Biallas
Costing and Pricing, Product Marketing, Pilot
lead KfW’s global microfinance funds investments
Testing and Product Roll Out. Previous to MicroSave,
and held various positions in the Eastern Europe and
Madhurantika worked as the Program Associate for
Sub-Saharan
CARE India’s microfinance project - Credit and Savings
financial markets investments in these regions and
for Household Enterprises (CASHE). Madhurantika has
she worked in a German consulting firm for 3 years,
a Masters in Social Work from Tata Institute of Social
focusing on privatization and SME development. She
Sciences in Mumbai, India and Masters in Urban
holds a Masters Degree in Economics from
and Rural Sociology from Banaras Hindu University,
Hochschule fuer Wirtschaft and Politk in Hamburg,
Varanasi, India. She is presently perusing Masters in
Germany and a Bachelors Degree from University of
Banking from The Institute of Chartered Financial
Cape Town, South Africa.
Analysts of India (ICFAI University).
| 24 |
Africa
for
financial
departments,
the
markets
Prior to
working
on
age
ASIA MICROFINANCE FORUM 2008 | MELIA HANOI HOTEL, HANOI, VIETNAM | 26-29 AUGUST 2008
Melanie Aube
Minh Lai
Mélanie has extensive experience on business
Minh-Huy
development projects focussing mainly on capacity
Operating Officer in charge of Technical Assistance
building,
problems
is
PlaNet
Finance
(PF)’s
Chief
business
(TA) activities worldwide. He is responsible for the
development and structured
coordination, development and execution of TA
finance. She combines formal
projects and initiatives across the PF network. Prior
training
international
to joining PF, he was the Managing Director of Planet
strategic
Rating (PR) where he built and made it the largest
consulting in enterprise, with
microfinance rating agency by revenues. Together
practical experience to help
with the PR team, Minh completed the firm’s spin-
in
finance
solve
Lai
management,
off process, raised capital, decentralized operations
development and growth; to implement market
and expanded our rating coverage internationally.
research;
potential/
Before Planet Rating, he was the General Manager
opportunities. She applies a participatory leadership
of SPBD – Samoa’s largest microfinance institution.
style when leading large project teams. She has
He also had prior microfinance experience with AfK
worked successfully in different settings and
in Kosovo. Prior to moving into microfinance, Minh
combines rigorous scientific training with cultural
had 7 years of investment and commercial banking
acuity and fluency in 4 languages i.e. Bahasa
experience with JP Morgan Securities in New York,
Indonesia, Spanish, French and English. Melanie has
Hong Kong and Singapore and with EDC - Canada’s
a degree in International Finance from University of
export credit agency - in Indonesia and Vietnam.
Montreal - HEC (Canada) and hold a post-graduate
Minh holds a MBA in International Management from
Master’s
Thunderbird School of Global Management (Phoenix,
and
of
and
to
degree
in
business
assess
financial
Strategic
consulting
from
Complutense University (Spain).
USA). He also attended the Harvard Business School’s
Microfinance Leadership Program in its Executive
Miguel Llenas
Education Department in April 2007.
Nguyen T. Binh
Mr. Miguel Llenas has been devoted to a successful
25-year
career
in
credit
bureaus,
banking,
other
Dr Binh T. Nguyen received his PhD in economics
financial services in the Dominican Republic and
from Georgetown University. His major interest in
other countries in Latin America, the Near East
microfinance is in the development of diversified
and Africa. During this time, Mr. Llenas has been
sustainable microfinance sources for the poor in rural
deeply involved in developing a number of credit
areas. Since 2004, he joined the Asian Development
bureaus worldwide (Ecuador, Chile, Mexico, Uruguay,
Bank in Manila. First, as an economist working on
Costa Rica, Honduras, Algeria, Tanzania and Egypt,
project economic analysis, and later as finance
among others) and has also managed for ten
specialist working on rural and microfinance. Dr
years Datacredito, the leading credit bureau in the
Nguyen is managing the ADB’s rural finance sector
Dominican Republic and one of the most advanced
development program in Lao PDR to support
in Latin America. Mr. Llenas has also promoted
enabling environment and restructuring of state-own
international trade agreements and enhanced
microfinance institutions. He is currently developing
private sector competitiveness in developing country
ADB’s major microfinance operation in Viet Nam to
projects funded through a number of multilateral
support the implementation of the new microfinance
assistance agencies. At the present time Mr. Llenas
regulations and strengthening institutional capacity
is the General Manager of the National Bureau of
and the legal framework.
microfinance,
trade,
e-commerce,
and
Commercial Information in Muscat, Oman.
| 25 |
age
ASIA MICROFINANCE FORUM 2008 | MELIA HANOI HOTEL, HANOI, VIETNAM | 26-29 AUGUST 2008
Nicola Armacost
He holds a MA in Development Economics from
Nicola Armacost is the Managing Director and Co-
Agricultural Economics and a PhD in Development
founder of Arc, which was formed in the spring of
Economics from the University of Wisconsin-
2008 to link the fields of microfinance and energy.
Madison.
Williams
College,
Massachusetts,
and
MSc
in
Its mission is to promote and expand access to
financing for clean energy, water and other basic
Pamela Flaherty
needs to build the income and assets of poor people
around the world. Ms. Armacost brings over 15 years
Pamela Flaherty is President and Chief Executive
experience in microfinance to her new position. From
Officer of the Citi Foundation, Citi’s Director
1993 to 2008, she worked at Women’s World Banking,
of Corporate Citizenship and
a global microfinance network with 54 members in
a member of the company’s
over 40 countries, with a combined reach of over 25
Senior Leadership Committee.
million poor clients. Ms. Armacost held a number of
Pam began her career at Citi
leadership roles at WWB in the areas of knowledge
in
management, market development, policy and
Banking Group, and later
communications. She was an early advocate of
managed Citibank’s New York
linking energy and microfinance services and served
branch banking business and served as Citicorp’s
as an advisor to the SES/USAID/SEEP Energy and
Senior Human Resources Officer. She is Chair of the
Microfinance Research Initiative from 2004 to 2007.
Board of Trustees of Johns Hopkins University and
She is a founder and currently serves as an advisor
also participates on the Boards of several non-profit
to Parwaz, a women-led microfinance organization
organizations, including the Local Initiatives Support
based in Kabul, Afghanistan. She also serves as an
Corporation, Kenyon College, and The Nature
advisor to Distributed Capital, a financial services
Conservancy Long Island Chapter. Pam is also a
firm, based in New York City. She has a Bachelor’s
member of the Council on Foreign Relations.
Citibank’s
International
degree in international relations (University of
Paula Bennett
Toronto, Canada), an LLB (Queen’s University, Canada)
and an LLM (Osgoode Hall Law School, Canada).
Paula Bennett is responsible for Citi’s citizenship
activities across 19 markets in Asia Pacific, with
Nimal Fernando
a focus on microfinance,
Nimal A. Fernando is Practice Leader for Microfinance
financial
at the Asian Development Bank (ADB). He is also the
sustainable enterprise. She
editor of ADB’s Microfinance Newsletter, Finance
oversees business initiatives
for the Poor. He played the lead role in preparing
that demonstrate Citi Asia
ADB’s Microfinance Development Strategy during
Pacific’s
social
and
environmental
and rural finance loans and technical assistance
philanthropic contributions such as Citi Foundation
projects at ADB, supervised project implementation,
grants,
conducted training programs, and published on a
volunteerism. In 2007, Citi committed US$17.8 million
wide array of development issues including rural and
to support 274 community programmes in Asia
microfinance. His country work experience includes
Pacific. Paula joined Citi in 2004 and has over 15 years
Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, Cambodia, Viet Nam,
experience in corporate citizenship, communications,
Laos, Indonesia, Japan, and Gambia. He has also
education, and human resources. She is based in
made presentations at many country, regional, and
Singapore and has also lived in China, Hong Kong,
global microfinance conferences.
Malaysia, and Taiwan.
business
donations
as
and
1999-2000. Mr. Fernando has processed microfinance
| 26 |
responsibilities,
education
and
well
as
employee
age
ASIA MICROFINANCE FORUM 2008 | MELIA HANOI HOTEL, HANOI, VIETNAM | 26-29 AUGUST 2008
Pia Roman
Prem Subedi
Pia Bernadette Roman is the head of the Inclusive
Mr. Prem Sagar Subedi, Microfinance Specialist in
Finance Advocacy Staff (IFAS)/ Microfinance Unit of
Winrock International has successfully managed
the Office of the Deputy Governor (for Supervision
number of projects in energy
and Examination) of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas
financing in Nepal. He has
(Central Bank of the Philippines). In this capacity,
also worked as a National
she is involved in the overall microfinance program
Technical
within the central bank and the Philippine banking
Promotion
sector specifically in the areas of policy, supervision
Energy, Energy Efficiency and
and regulation, capacity building, advocacy and
Greenhouse Gas Abatement
promotion as well as donor relations. Ms. Roman
project funded by Asian Development Bank; a team
has had work experience in a microfinance non-
member for the feasibility study of National Biogas
governmental organization (NGO) in New York, USA
Program in Uganda and Tanzania; and financial and
and a savings and credit organization in Nepal. Ms.
economic analysis of biogas intervention in Sub
Roman graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Public
Saharan Africa. He was also involved as one of the
Administration from the University of the Philippines
team members for SEEP Network’s study on
and a master’s degree in International Affairs focused
“Consumer Lending and Microfinance Research to
on Economic Development from the School of
Expand Access to Energy Services in Asia”. He
International and Public Affairs, Columbia University.
completed his Masters in Development Management
Expert
of
for
Renewable
degree from Asian Institute of Management,
Piyush Gupta
Philippines as an Asian Development Bank Scholar.
As recently appointed CEO for Citi in the South East
Ravi Narasimham
Asia Pacific region, Piyush Gupta is responsible for
all
in
Ravi Narasimham, 39, Director – Investments at Caspian
Australia, New Zealand, Guam
Advisors Pvt. Ltd (Fund Manager of the Bellwether
and ASEAN countries. Prior to
Microfinance Fund) is a professional of about 15 years of
his appointment, Piyush was
experience in Research and Microfinance. Narasimham
the Citi Country Officer of
graduated in Mathematics (Hons.) from Utkal University,
Singapore as well as the Head
Bhubaneswar and holds a post graduate diploma in
of Citi’s Institutional Clients
business management Xavier Institute of Management,
Group in ASEAN. A 26-year Citi veteran, Piyush began
Bhubaneswar. With Caspian, Narasimham has been
his career with Citi in India in 1982 and has held
associated since September 2005. Narasimham started
various senior management roles across Citi’s
his career in development research and consultancy
corporate
businesses,
and later he was part founding team members of BASIX.
including Head of Asia Pacific Corporate Bank
After his long stint with BASIX, Narasimham left BASIX
E-Commerce and Strategic Planning, Head of
to join CARE. In CARE, he spent three years working in
Strategic Planning for Emerging Markets, as well as
the Credit and Savings Project as Manager Research &
Regional Director for Global Transaction Services for
Innovations and later as Microfinance Specialist in the
Asia Pacific.
Sustainable Livelihood Empowerment Project. Currently
and
consumer
Citi’s
businesses
banking
in Caspian, Narasimham is on the Board of three of its
investee companies, besides on the Board of Caspian.
| 27 |
age
ASIA MICROFINANCE FORUM 2008 | MELIA HANOI HOTEL, HANOI, VIETNAM | 26-29 AUGUST 2008
Robert Annibale
Rose Cooray
Bob leads Citi’s commercial relationships with
Mrs Rose Cooray is an Assistant Governor of the
microfinance institutions, on a multi-business and
Central Bank of Sri Lanka. She also serves as the
product
basis,
financing
providing
and
Secretary to the Monetary Board.
Mrs Cooray
product
has served the Central Bank for nearly 35 years.
partnerships to institutions
Among the main areas of her work includes poverty
that serve the poor and the
alleviation, rural credit and regional development.
unbanked. Bob serves on a
On release,
number of external boards
as Director General, Department of Fiscal Policy
and councils, including the
and Economic Affairs for nearly 6 years.
she has served the Ministry of Finance
She has
Board of Advisors for the United Nations Commission
represented Sri Lanka/Central Bank of Sri Lanka at
on Legal Empowerment of the Poor, the University of
various international meetings/seminars and has
London, Institute of Commonwealth Studies and the
presented papers on a number of subjects. She has
University of Oxford’s St. Anthony’s College (Centre
a B.A. (Honours) in Economics from the University of
for the Study of African Economies). He represents
Peradeniya and a Masters Degree from the University
Citi on the Board of the Microfinance Information
of Strathclyde, U.K.
Exchange, the Council of Microfinance Equity Funds,
Ron Bevacqua
the SEEP Network, the Microfinance Network and the
Executive Committee of CGAP (World Bank).
Ron Bevacqua is the Asia Regional Coordinator for
PlaNet Finance. In that capacity he supports PlaNet
Rolando Victoria
Finance’s country programs and develops new
opportunities in the region. He also supports PlaNet
Finance’s MFI financing activities in Asia.
Simultaneously, Ron is Executive Director of PlaNet
Finance Japan, where his main tasks are to raise
awareness about microfinance and to mobilize
resources from Japan into the microfinance sector.
XX
XX
XX
Founding Executive Director of Alalay sa Kaunlaran,
Previously, he spent 10 years in Tokyo as a chief
Inc. (ASKI). ASKI is now 21 years.
economist for Merrill Lynch and Commerz Securities.
President of Microfinance Council of the
Since 2004 he has written on East Asian economic
Philippines, Inc. (MCPI)
matters as a contributing editor to the Economist
Intelligence Unit, a division of the Economist
Vice-Chairman of Alliance of Philippine Partners in
newspaper of London.
Enterprise Development, Inc. (APPEND)
XX
Vice President - RIMANSI for Asia and Pacific, Inc.
Ron holds an M.A. in East Asian Affairs from the
XX
President -Central Luzon Association of
University of California and an M.A. in international
Microfinance Institution, Inc. (CLAM)
political economy from the University of Virginia.
XX
Founding member of Banking with the Poor
Network (BWTP)
XX
Chairman Opportunity Microfinance Bank (OMB)
XX
Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
| 28 |
age
ASIA MICROFINANCE FORUM 2008 | MELIA HANOI HOTEL, HANOI, VIETNAM | 26-29 AUGUST 2008
Ryk Ramos
Sankar Datta
Mr. Ryk Ramos is the E-Commerce Director of
Dr. Sankar Datta, Dean, The Livelihood School, is
B2Bpricenow.com, Inc. He is handling the company’s
a management graduate, with basic education in
e-commerce/ m-commerce products and services.
agriculture, and doctoral dissertation in institutional
Included in the e-commerce services is the
economics, who has been involved in extending
implementation of a free e-marketing website,
professional services for rural development activities,
b2bpricenow.com. Under the m-commerce services
specially focusing on livelihood support/ promotion,
is the distribution of cash cards with SMS capabilities
since 1982.
which provides a cost efficient and safe way of
He worked with the Indian Institute of Management
transferring funds.
Mr.
Ramos’
(IIM-A), while setting up the Center for Educational
experience
involves
a
10-year
Innovation, and later was a member faculty
implementation of programs at the grassroots level
of the Institute of Rural Management, Anand
involving micro-credit, developmental programs,
(IRMA) between 1989-1996 and had launched the
innovative financing schemes, and capacity building
International Management Appreciation Programme
activities. Target beneficiaries of his programs are
specially designed to cater to the needs of NGO’s
cooperatives, farmers, fisherfolks, and SMEs.
during this time.
He worked as the Vice President (Operation & Human
Sally Burns
Resources) in BASIX, a group of Companies involved
Sally Burns has spent her entire career dedicated to
in extending financial, technical and institutional
climate change, and she is expert in structuring and
development services to the rural producers, to
transacting projects under
promote/ support their livelihoods, since 1996. He
the Kyoto Protocol and other
also holds the charge of the Director, Indian Grameen
international
Services the Research and Development Company of
reduction
Australia,
emissions
schemes.
she
worked
the BASIX group.
In
in
Satish Pillarisetti
market development at the
Sustainable
Energy
Mr. Satish Pillarisetti has an MBA (Finance) from
Development Authority in NSW. She later held a
Osmania University in Hyderabad, India, an MS in
position at Origin Energy to expand their carbon
Economic Policy from University of Illinois at Urbana-
projects portfolio. In Europe, Sally worked as legal
Champaign, USA. He is the Chief General Manager of
counsel at The Netherlands’s largest power company,
National bank for Agriculture and Rural Development
Nuon, when emissions trading became mandatory in
(NABARD), the apex financial institution in India for
the EU. In a commercial role with Grontmij Climate
agriculture and rural development at its Head Office
and Energy she developed international carbon
in Mumbai. He heads the Finance Department and
projects all over the world under the Kyoto Protocol.
also works in the areas of Microfinance and Rural
Sally holds degrees in Resource and Environmental
Infrastructure Financing.
Studies and Law.
| 29 |
age
ASIA MICROFINANCE FORUM 2008 | MELIA HANOI HOTEL, HANOI, VIETNAM | 26-29 AUGUST 2008
Syeda Obaida Haque
Earlier he was a Faculty Member at Bankers’ Institute
of Rural Development (BIRD), Lucknow and has
grassroots level experience, having worked as
Syeda Obaida Haque, Director of Shakti Foundation
NABARD’s District Development Manager in the
for Disadvantaged Women (popularly known as
state of Andhra Pradesh. He has published more
Shakti Foundation), a National NGO pioneer in
than 50 research papers and articles in national and
introducing micro-credit for urban slums and
international journals and periodicals and 6 books
squatters settlements. The mission objective is “socio-
in the fields of Rural Finance and Microfinance
economic empowerment of poor women through
and presented papers at several national and
providing credit facilities”.
international conferences and seminars.
Ms. Haque joined Shakti Foundation in 1993, at the
juvenile stage of the organization and has worked
Shankar Man Shrestha
in different capacity. She is currently holding the
position of Director and directly responsible for
Mr. Shankar Man Shrestha, 61, has been working as
the overall management, planning and strategy
Chief Executive Officer of RMDC since August 1999.
formulation for three social programs.
Prior to joining RMDC, he was Executive Director of
CSD, an NGO, from August’91 to July’99. He is also
Ms. Haque has obtained her Masters’ on “Women
a founder member of that national NGO, which
and Development” course from the Institute of Social
is one of the premier microfinance institutions in
Studies (The Hague, The Netherlands). She has also
Nepal. Before that he worked with the Agriculture
obtained Master’s degree in Geography and Diploma
Development Bank of Nepal (ADBN) for 25 years.
in Planning and Development from Planning
Academy of Dhaka.
His academic qualification is Master of Arts in
Economics from Tribhuvan University (TU) Nepal. He
has also completed a Special Study in Agriculture
Tor Gull
Economics from Texas A. and M. University, USA.
Mr Tor G. Gull has been the Managing Director of
Mr. Shrestha has participated in numerous training,
Oikocredit in the Netherlands since mid 2001. Tor
workshops, seminars and conferences organised
is from Finland where he
by national and international agencies such as
before
ADB, Rabobank of Holland, APRACA, APDC, USAID,
joining
Oikocredit
worked as a Senior Vice
JICA, Microcredit Summit Secretariat, Grameen
President and Head of Export
Bank, Grameen Trust on rural development and on
and project Finance for one
areas such as agriculture banking, microfinance,
of the biggest commercial
small farmer credit, etc. He also participated as
Banks in Finland. During that
consultant in the project missions of ADB, IFAD
time he was the Chief Representative for the Bank in
JICAand IDRC. While in ADBN, he was involved in the
South East Asia and China for three years, based in
implementation of Agriculture Credit Project of ADB,
Hong Kong. His experience also includes financial
Small Farmer Development Project of ADB and IFAD,
management positions in the Pulp and Paper
and other projects supported by GTZ, KFW, World
Industry in Finland as well as in Development
Bank, USAID, CIDA, etc.
projects in Tanzania and Kenya.
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age
ASIA MICROFINANCE FORUM 2008 | MELIA HANOI HOTEL, HANOI, VIETNAM | 26-29 AUGUST 2008
Wesley Nguyen
Wolday Amha
Wesley is National Programs Director of Habitat
After receiving my Ph.D degree from Technical
for Humanity Vietnam which encompasses the
University of Berlin in December 1994, I joined
overall program delivery for all the projects to
Awassa College of Agriculture
ensure
(1995)
responsibilities,
accountabilities,
and
and
Addis
Ababa
transparency. Prior to the current roles, Wesley
University,
Economics
was a Regional Program Advisor (Housing Finance
Department (1996) with the
Specialist) for HFHI Asia Pacific where he works
rank of Assistant Professor. I
with the Mekong countries to supports housing
worked as a senior researcher
microfinance initiatives.
in a USAID project in Ethiopia
conducted in collaboration of Michigan University
Wesley is a graduate of Georgetown University where
(1997). Since 1998, I am serving as the founding
he received a BS in Business Administration. After
Director of the Association of Ethiopian Microfinance
serving four years as an oversea volunteer with Peace
Institutions (AEMFI). I used to be the President of
Corps (US) and Volunteer Service Overseas (UK), he
African Microfinance Network (AFMIN) for three
received his MBA degree from La Trobe University
years.I
Graduate School of Management.
am
the
editor
of
the
Microfinance
Development Review and African Journal of
Microfinance and edited and published various
books and articles on food security, agricultural
marketing and microfinance in reputable journal. I
am currently the President of the Ethiopian
Economic Association (EEA).
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age
ASIA MICROFINANCE FORUM 2008 | MELIA HANOI HOTEL, HANOI, VIETNAM | 26-29 AUGUST 2008
NOTE S
| 32 |
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
The Banking With The Poor Network Secretariat,
c/o The Foundation for Development Cooperation
FDC Singapore, 22 Cross Street, #02-55,
South Bridge Court, Singapore 048421
Tel: 65 64396864
Fax: 65 64384844
Email: info@bwtp.org Website: www.bwtp.org