MICROCAPITAL EVENT: Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Microfinance Conference 2009 in Amman, Jordan on October 26-27, 2009, Organized by UniGlobal Research in Association with Sanabel

Event Name: MENA Microfinance Conference 2009

Date: October 26-27, 2009

Location: Amman, Jordan

See Our Comprehensive Event Calendar Here: http://microfinanceassociation.ning.com/events

Cost: No information regarding cost is currently available.

Summary of Event: The 2 day conference aims to create a mutual platform for learning and networking by bringing together microfinance experts to address key issues pertaining to the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) microfinance sector. The MENA region has witnessed ‘tremendous’ growth in its microfinance sector attracting microfinance experts and investors from all over the world to explore growth opportunities in the region. In keeping with this growth, the conference will discuss and explore new options including new innovative tools, strategies for successful operation and techniques to overcome challenges faced by the sector.

Event Theme and Topics:

Key topics to be addressed in the conference include:

Microfinance and the environmental bottom line
New products in the sector namely microleasing, mobile banking, microfinance housing and microinsurance
Strategies to expand outreach of the microfinance sector
Credit Bureaus – A Legitimate and Non-Judicial Resolution Mechanism
Collateral Law and Collateral Substitutes
Transformation of the sector specifically enabling a new operational environment
Evaluation of Management Information Systems (MIS) for Microfinance
Discussion of new opportunities pertaining to regulation and supervision of microfinance

Key speakers for the event include: Aga Khan Development Network, Syria; Freedom from Hunger, USA; Developing World Markets, USA; Habitat for Humanity, Kenya; ICICI Prudential Life Insurance, India; ShoreBank International, USA; K-REP Bank, Kenya; UNRWA, Palestine; Alexandria Business Association, Egypt; National Microfinance Bank, Jordan; FINCA International, USA; Standard Chartered Bank, USA; Islamic Relief Worldwide, UK; Al-Amal Microfinance Bank, Yemen; World Bank, USA; Sanabel, Lebanon; PlaNIS, France; National Federation for Microcredit, Morocco; AFD, Jordan; Ameen, CHF, Jordan; Triodos Facet, Spain.

Who can attend:

MFIs, NGOs, commercial banks;
Educational and research institutions, public sector leaders;
Donor agency executives, civil society organization representatives;
Development agencies, microfinance technology providers;
Charities

Background on Organizers: Uniglobal Research is a Czech based knowledge sharing institution with a focus on knowledge expansion, networking and maximization of deal-making opportunities for executive clients [1]. In this regard, Uniglobal Research conducts several workshops, trainings and conferences to help businesses and senior professionals make informed decisions [1].

The event partner is Sanabel, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting growth, innovation and best practice in the Arab microfinance sector. Sanabel was established in 2002 when 17 representatives from seven Arab countries gathered in Tunisia to launch a network designed to serve microfinance institutions in the Arab world. Sanabel is headquartered in Cairo, Egypt [2]. As of December 2008, Sanabel had 64 member microfinance organizations from 12 Arab countries. Sanabel’s donors include the International Labor Organization, Microfinance Information Exchange (MIX), the Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP), Grameen-Jameel Initiative and the Citigroup Foundation among others. As of December 2008, total assets for Sanabel were estimated at USD 1 million [3].

Registration: To register online, please complete the Registration form available here. To register over the phone, please contacting Uniglobal’s Operations & Hospitality Team in Prague on +420 – 226 538 100. To register via email, please mail to registrations@uniglobalresearch.com.

Additional inquiries can be routed to:

Olha Vyshnevska
Conference Producer
Uniglobal Research
Nekazanka 11, Prague 1
110 00 Czech Republic
Main tel: +420 226 538 100
Direct tel: +420 226 538 102
Fax: +420 226 538 111
Email: olha(at)uniglobalresearch.eu

Submit Your Event: http://microfinanceassociation.ning.com/events

By Bharathi Ram, Research Assistant

Bibliography:

[1] Uniglobal Research: https://www.uniglobalresearch.eu/

[2] Sanabel: http://www.sanabelnetwork.org/

[3] Sanabel Annual Report 2008: http://www.sanabelnetwork.org/files/Annual%20Report%20English.pdf