| | Dear Friend, UNA-NY YPIC
in cooperation with
The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York
invites you to join us:
The Risks and Challenges of Microfinance Lending for Low-Income Entrepreneurs in the Developing World
To register for this event and for inquiries, please contact UNA-NY YPIC's Interim Chair, Andrea Satter, at ypicchair@unanyc.org
Please click here for complete event and panelist details:
http://www.unanyc.org/ypic/Microfinance_apr24.doc
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Panel discussion: 6:30 pm
Reception following panel discussion
Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York
1 East 42nd Street, New York, NY
UNA members - $10 | Non members $15
Panelists:
* Mary Ellen Iskenderian, President and CEO, Women's World Banking
* Ambassador Andrew Li-Yan Hsia, Director General, Taipei Economic & Cultural Office in New York
Discussion Outline:
Our panel discussion will focus on the risks and challenges of Microfinance lending for low-income entrepreneurs in the developing world, in particular the potential risks of microfinance from the borrower's perspective:
· What is the effect on the individual borrower when socially irresponsible practices are implemented by financial institutions that invest in Microfinance?
· How are unethical practices kept in check, if at all?
· How do financial institutions justify interest rates, a policy that by many may be perceived as unethical when lending to the poor?
· Does this affect efficient economic growth prospects for those in poor countries who seek loans?
The discussion will also touch on the challenges MFIs face in terms of their internal restraints, such as lack of professional capacity, lack of expertise, and inherent challenges in serving the poor, as well as external constraints, including unfair competition, government regulation, corruption, the inherent challenges of emerging markets and the fact that many investors who do not understand the industry lack the expertise to decide where to invest in Microfinance. |  | |
