MICROFINANCE EVENT: Sa-Dhan National Conference: “Propelling the Growth of the Informal Sector through Microfinance;” September 19-20, 2018; New Delhi, India

The aim of this event is to continue discussions on how to realize the goals of Pradhaan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, India’s national financial inclusion program. This year’s gathering will focus on how microfinance institutions (MFIs) can use technology to expand their outreach to more low-income customers. The sessions on the agenda include the following: (1) Revisiting the Trajectory of Financing Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs); (2) Revamping Insurance for the Informal Sector; and (3) Strengthening Livelihoods Through Self-help Group (SHG) Linkages Given the Evolving Financial Landscape. In addition, Sa-Dhan will release the Bharat Microfinance Report 2018, an annual statistical analysis of the financial inclusion sector in India.

Background on Organizer: Sa-Dhan is an association of Indian community development finance institutions, including MFIs, SHGs, banks and cooperatives. As of 2018, it has 190 member organizations which serve 29 million customers in 33 states and hold an aggregate gross loan portfolio of INR 468 billion (USD 6.8 billion) as of 2018. Sa-Dhan has been recognized by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) as a self-regulatory organization, which gives Sa-Dhan the power to monitor its member MFIs, including the responsibility to see that they lend responsibly and meet various standards for client protection. For the year ending March 31, 2017, Sa-Dhan reported annual revenue of INR 25 million (USD 391,000).

Cost: The fee for Indian nationals to attend is INR 8,000 (USD 116), although a rate of INR 5,000 (USD 73) is available to Sa-Dhan members. For those from other countries, the cost of attendance is USD 500 per person.

Event Website: https://sadhannationalconference.wordpress.com

For additional information, you may contact Sunith Nara at +91 011 4717411 or at sunitha[at]sa-dhan.org.

By Nicholas Galimberti, Research Associate

Sources and Additional Resources

Sa-Dhan background
http://www.sa-dhan.net/index.php/about-us/

Sa-Dhan annual report
http://www.sa-dhan.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Annual-Report-2017.pdf

Microfinance Event; September 6, 2016; Sa-Dhan Association to Host National Conference, September 14-15, 2016, New Delhi, India
https://www.microcapital.org/microfinance-event-sa-dhan-association-to-host-national-conference-september-14-15-2016-new-delhi-india/

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