|
Germany backs microfinance in Laos
The government of Germany continues to support the microfinance sector in Laos through the ACLEDA-ASEAN Regional Microfinance Training Centre (ARMTC) of ACLEDA Bank Plc.
Thirty microfinance staff from rural microfinance programmes, community credit and savings associations and other financial institutions in Vientiane and the provinces are currently gathering in Vientiane to learn about loan management.
The five-day training workshop from March 14-18 is being held at the Lao Women's Union Training Centre and will build on trainees' professional skills.
The objective of the workshop is to share the successful micro-banking experiences of ACLEDA Bank and to build on the agreement made to finance the ARMTC.
The course is also intended to expand the international networks of the ARMTC, said Training Workshop Organiser Ngam Youra Tauch during his opening remarks.
“We want micro-credit to be a tool for poverty alleviation through financial service delivery by microfinance institutions to lower segments of society. We do not want micro-credit to be a poisonous financial drug for the poor.”
The workshop is a good opportunity for trainees to learn from other micro-credit experiences then put that into use in their own areas of operation, said National Microfinance Advisor Bandit Sisoukda.
ACLEDA Bank began as a village loan bank and is now the biggest in Cambodia and the most popular in the region, he added.
Participants at the workshop will focus on good loan management and development of sustainable microfinance institutions and practices, said Acting Director General of the Financial Institution Supervision Department of the Bank of the Lao PDR, Dr Akhom P raseuth.
This is the second international training workshop organised by the ARMTC. The previous course on micro, small and medium enterprise lending, conducted from October 18-22, 2010, for 28 trainees, generated positive feedback from practitioners and other organisations working to support the microfinance sector in Laos.
The financing agreement was made between the Royal Government of the Kingdom of Cambodia and the Federal Republic of Germany and ACLEDA Bank Plc through Germany's Reconstruction of Credit Institute.
The workshop is co-sponsored by GTZ-Laos in collaboration with the Microfinance Working Group of Laos and the Bank of the Lao PDR.
Mr Youra expressed hope that the government of Germany will support further courses to help develop the skills and knowledge of Lao microfinance staff.
The ARMTC aims to provide microfinance training and consultation services internationally by sharing the successful experience of ACLEDA and the combination of know-how and show-how with a focus on the ASEAN region and China.
vientiane times
|
