| Training for Government Officials on Microfinance |
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| Wednesday, 24 December 2008 10:38 |
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10-11 May 2007, Fergana – The ELS project
in Fergana organized two-day training on microcredit legislation. The
training introduced local 40 local government officials to the concept
of microfinance and its role in Uzbekistan’s economic development. It
also raised awareness about the project’s microfinance programmes in
Fergana and Namangan.
Mid-level government officials from Sokh, Bagdad, Fergana and Rishtan districts, representatives of Fergana Halq Bank and Fergana Hamkorbank, and international experts participated. The sessions were facilitated by microfinance experts from UNDP Country Office and the ELS Project. In the first session, Mr. Usmon Rakhimjanov, the UNDP Assistant to the Business Development Adviser delivered a presentation on “Essence of Microfinance and its role in the Development of the Economy of Uzbekistan.” The discussion focused on the concept of microfinance in general, types of microfinance services and aspects of the new legislation regulating microfinance operations in Uzbekistan. The presentation also covered issues related to various types of microfinance institutions, average amounts of micro credits and recipient target groups’ needs. The Participants learned about practices of UNDP in Uzbekistan and gained a better understanding of the microfinance market in the country. The session on “ELS microfinance programme’s experience in Namangan region” focused on the achievements and lessons learned during the implementations of the microcredit programmes in Namangan region. It was presented by Mr. Ulugbek Dedabaev, the former Project Manager, ELS-Namangan. In the third session, Mr. Otabek Karimov, ELS local consultant on Microfinance, delivered two presentations: “ELS microfinance programme’s activity in Fergana region” and “Group Micro credit Products of Credit Union Nurafshon”. He told about the cooperation between ELS project and the credit union and the launching of new micro credit products developed as a result of this cooperation. During the interactive task, the participants were divided into two groups each representing a district. Each group was asked to select a type of business, among those most developed and widespread in the district and develop a mini business plan, including a market and competition analysis and a short proposal to access to micro credit. After this the groups assessed each others’ business plans for the provision of credits. These exercises helped the participants to understand how decisions by microfinance institutions are made. Mr. Samijon Niyazov, Chairman of
the Department of Statistics of Rishtan District, shared his impression
on the workshop: “The informal approach and discussions were great. I
enjoyed the interactive part. It definitely helped me to become more
objective and thoughtful in decision-making.” |
News and Events Training for Government Officials on Microfinance