Call Prefix : PR-S

Call Suffix : 2007

Call Main : SEARCA PBS 2007-1

Location : SEARCA Library

Format : Printed; electronic

Series : SEARCA Policy Brief Series 2007-1

Publisher : SEARCA

Publication Date : 2007

Publication Place : Los Banos, Laguna

Summary : The Microcredit Summit in 2006 reported that about 97 million poor families have been served by a total of 1,652 microfinance institutions (MFIs) in Asia and the Pacific. How can poor families, particularly those relying on agriculture, become financially secure? Microfinance promises to shortcut the long and winding road to financial security. Found to work out well in Asia, it involves small-scale credit, savings, and insurance to meet the needs of poor producers. Microfinance programs also provide skill-based training and other forms of support to empower the poor. It has become an important approach for poverty reduction in many parts of the world, including Asia and the Pacific region.