Forum Description
CRDB NATIONAL MICROFINANCE FORUM
21 – 22 June, 2009
AT
ARUSHA INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE CENTRE (AICC)
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE FORUM
Due to fast changes on the demand side for microfinance products and services, corresponding massive innovations on the side of supply was critical to sustain in the market for financial institutions. Therefore, quick adjustment of the supply side to match this varying and idle demand, especially in rural and other remote areas, should be the focus for each participating institution— whether small or large. However towards this goal, there are remarkable challenges that need attention of other stakeholders—the government. Donor support communities, research institutions, etc. Therefore, in view of this, CRDB Microfinance Services Company organized the National Microfinance Forum in
OBJECTIVES
The CRDB Microfinance Company organized this important event for following reasons:
(a) To expose MFIs partners, through Regional Clubs’ representatives on ongoing government strategies on microfinance and rural development so that they can clearly see the future of their institutions; and a chance for them to learn the best practices from other parts of the world.
(b) A perfect platform to expose the microfinance operations of the bank to the world, as since the inception of its microfinance operations, there has never been any marketing strategies to facilitate this.
(c) The Forum is the beginning for possible future relations with predominant international institutions in microfinance and rural development.
(d) Sharing CRDB’s business challenges (together with those of its partners) with the government and other business supporters. The responses from which can greatly impact positively on CRDB’s relationship with its partners.
(e) The presence of representatives from key government departments and agencies in microfinance, research institutions, donors, etc will trigger a very productive debate towards building of inclusive financial systems in
PARTICIPANTS
The delegates to Forum included the following representatives:
(a) About 170 members of the Governance Committee of Regional Clubs; representing 400 partner institutions countrywide.
(b) Assistant Registrars (Regional Cooperative Officers), from all regions of Tanzania Mainland.
(c) The Registrar of Cooperatives, from the Department of Cooperative—Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Cooperatives; and his counterpart from
(d) Representatives from policymakers, regulators and supervisors for microfinance operations from the Bank of Tanzania; senior officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Cooperatives; Ministry of Treasury and Economic Affairs; Ministry of Labour, Employment and Youth Development; Ministry of Industry, Trade and Marketing.
(e) Representatives from capacity building support partners to the bank—the Financial Sector Deepening Trust (FSDT); the Rural Financial Services Program (RFSP); and the Agriculture Marketing Systems Development Project (AMSDP).
(f) Representatives from academic and research institutions, and renowned practitioners in the field of microfinance and rural development from the University of Dar es salaam Business School; University of Sokoine of Agriculture (SUA); Institute of Finance Management (IMF); Moshi University Collage of Cooperatives and Business (MUCCOBs); Economic and Social Research Foundation (ESRF); Research on Poverty Alleviation (REPOA); and the Savings and Credit Cooperative Union League (SCCULT).
(g) Other remarkable supporters for microfinance best practices, development and poverty alleviation strategies worldwide—the World Council of Cooperative Union (WOCCU), the Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP), MicroSave, and the African Development Bank (AfDB).
(h) Members of the CRDB Board of Directors and the same key management members of CRDB/
(i) Staff members of CRDB MFSC.
The Prime Minister of the United Republic of Tanzania, H.E Honorable Mizengo Pinda graced the opening ceremony.
Last Updated: Saturday, 24 July, 2010