Bandhan is scheduled to be a part of the plenary session on “Growth Inclusive Development: Regulatory Framework, Opportunities & Constraints” at the Conclave on Microfinance being organized by CII on August 12, 2008 at Kolkata

CII is organizing Conclave on Microfinance: Innovations and New Business Models at Hotel Taj Bengal, Kolkata on August 12, 2008 to take stock of the phenomenal growth of the sector in the Eastern Region.

The conclave will bring together a wide range of finance professionals, leading MFIs, internal and regional banks, emerging markets, specialists, rating agencies, government officials, researchers, SHGs, development sector, NGOs to discuss the successes, challenges and trends of microfinance investment in India.

Mr. Ghosh has been invited to speak in the session “Growth Inclusive Development: Regulatory Framework, Opportunities & Constraints”. The session looks at the key drivers for development and inclusive growth. Discussions will be on the opportunities and challenges of the MF sector. The session would also delve upon the regulatory environment, with the Government preparing the bill to regulate the sector.

Sa-Dhan is organizing Policy Conclave on Microfinance and Livelihoods on August 25-26, 2008 at Bhubaneswar, Orissa

In order to understand the usage of financial services and the overall livelihood pattern of MFI/SHGs borrowers, Sa-Dhan has conducted a study on “Livelihood profiling of MFI/SHGs borrowers in the states of Orissa, Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu”. It was aimed at generating client level data on livelihood activities, loans availed for the need/usage and hypotheses regarding graduation of the clients as well as MFI/SGHs to offer differential products and services. This study has presented exciting insight to the livelihood profiles of MFI/SHGs borrowers in the states.

In order to take the findings of the study to a wider group of stakeholders and provide space to deliberate on the issues, challenges and opportunities in livelihoods and microfinance linkage Sa-Dhan is organizing a Consultative Policy Conclave on Microfinance and Livelihood in Bhubaneswar on August 25-26, 2008.

The conclave would bring together stakeholders to deliberate and identify the critical gaps that constraints expansion of livelihood and bring synergy in their roles vis-à-vis enhancement of livelihoods opportunities through the provision of access to microfinance services.

Bandhan has been invited to participate and shall be attending this proposed Policy Conclave.

Freedom from Hunger has invited Bandhan to participate in the second Global Microfinance and Health Protection (MAHP) meeting scheduled to be held in San Francisco, California from October 20-23, 2008.

The Global MAHP meeting will bring together those involved in MAHP as implementing partners, researchers and technical resource people from Benin, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, India, the Philippines and North America. The meeting will provide a forum for participants to compare experiences to date, exchange ideas and lessons learned and continue strategic-level discussions about the diverse MAHP packages and products, as well as the process of developing and implementing those innovations over the past two years. Plans, obstacles and recommendations related to MAHP package scale-up and replication shall also be discussed.

Bandhan would be participating at this meeting.