CENTRE FOR SELF-HELP DEVELOPMENT

Institute of micro-finance and cooperative development.

Microfinance CEOs Should be a Role Model

CSD on Chaitra 02, 2077 (March 15, 2021) hosted yet another webinar as part of Experience Sharing forum for microfinance institutions officials. This webinar talk program was participated by key personalities from the microfinance fraternity who discussed and shared their ideas and experiences.

The Episode 3: “Micro-Entrepreneurship Promotion and Development for Microfinance Members” featured Dr. Sumitra Manandhar Gurung, CEO of Mahila Sahayatra Laghubittiya Bittiya Sanstha Ltd, as the Speaker. In the presentation Dr. Sumitra’s focused on the scope for micro-entrepreneurship development in the microfinance sector and the importance of linking MFI’s credits to the locally potential micro-enterprises based on agriculture and agro-based products. She highlighted on the need to sensitize microfinance clients; identify enterprise based on local skills and materials are readily available in the local market. She said MfIs should engage in developing entrepreneurship among members by imparting skill upgrading trainings. The ultimate objective of all these intervention is to increase the income of clients by ensuring their capacity to use loan in more productive activities that will boost socio economic status. She said, “A large number of women in have been benefitted from the little what could be managed from Mahila Sahayatra and that the result was very encouraging”. Adding to her viewpoints on sustainable growth of micro entrepreneurship among MFIs members, she emphasized on the need of full commitments from all stakeholders and. “This needs proper orientation on micro entrepreneurship right from top board members to the women clients”. During her presentation she also stressed on the necessity of specialized Micro Entrepreneurship Development Unit in MFIs managed by specializing in entrepreneurship.

The presentation was followed by some questions and queries from the participants; If were smoothly moderated by Mr. Bechan Giri, the Moderator for this Episode. Mr. Mani Kumar Arjyal chairman of NRDSC command on the importance of linking credit and market to MFI clients. Similarly Mr. Ganesh Ram Shrestha, Senior Consultant of CRT Nepal said that integration of credit and skills are of prime importance for developing micro entrepreneurship among the poor.
Speaking from the chair; Mr. Shankar Man Shrestha, Chairman of CSD thanked Dr. Sumitra Manandhar Gurung for her comprehensive presentation and also lauded the concept shared in the forum. He reiterated that, this kind of forum need to foster amity by exchanging innovative and proven ideas amongst microfinance practitioners. Mr. Shrestha stressed on the need to adhere to microfinance operation and inherent philosophy and principles by all involved in this business; most notably its board members, CEO and staffs. “We just need to be honest to ourselves and do right thing in right way and other benefits will follow on their own."
Mr. Shrestha appealed the Microfinance practitioners to transform themselves into social entrepreneur first and then promote each client as micro-entrepreneur. “We need to learn from past mistakes and dream of serving clients better; in order to help them come out of poverty”.

The talk program was attended by more than 50 participants mainly microfinance practitioner from different parts of Nepal.

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