CENTRE FOR SELF-HELP DEVELOPMENT

Institute of micro-finance and cooperative development.

Check Mail
  • Home
  • News & Events

CSD Celebrates 28th Anniversary

One of the initiators of microfinance services and the first licensed microfinance NGO in Nepal, the Centre for Self-help Development (CSD) celebrated its 28th Anniversary at a function organized in Kathmandu on August 13, 2019 (Shrawan 28, 2076). Honorable Minister of Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation Ms. Padma Kumari Aryal graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. Members of Parliament Mr. Lila Nath Shrestha and Ms. Tulasa Thapa honored the program as Special Guests.

The program chaired by the Chairman of CSD, Mr. Shankar Man Shrestha was attended by the members of the Board and other dignitaries such as CSD former ambassador Dr. Durgesh Man Singh, former Vice Chairman of the National Planning Commission Dr. Rabindra Shakya, former Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank Mr. Bijaya Nath Bhattarai, renowned senior journalist Mr. Bhairab Risal and representatives of the institutional members and other stakeholders of CSD.

Delivering the welcome address Mr. Shankar Man Shrestha highlighted the contributions and achievements of CSD in the past 28 years. He said, "CSD initiated its activities from Jumla and Kalikot, the most remote districts of Nepal. We facilitated the locals to organize into groups and mobilize savings to create saving habits and encouraged them to take small credit to run small enterprises. A small amount of loan could change the income level and living standard of the poor and needy. He further said, "Nepal is rich in natural resources which should be harnessed to transform the lives of the poor. In the initial period of the launch of microfinance in Nepal, the MFIs had made sincere efforts to reach out the poorest, the down trodden and the marginalized masses. But in the last few years, with the advent of a large number of MFIs, the values, culture, philosophy and principles of microfinance got thwarted”.

On the occasion, the Chief Guest Hon. Minister presented the CSD's Entrepreneurship Development Award to Manushi Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Ltd. for its exemplary work in developing micro entrepreneurs.

On the same occasion the sponsors of the Second National Microfinance Members' Summit held on December 1-2, 2018 were awarded a Token of Appreciation by the Hon. Minister.

Addressing the gathering Honorable Minister Aryal said, “The microfinance sector should move forward by internalizing the idea of clean microfinance campaign. Moreover, there are sections of women around the country that are still deprived of financial access. But the MFIs have not been able to reach them. The unhealthy competition among the MFIs has caused them to disburse multiple loans to the same clients that have put them into loan trap. Therefore, the MFIs should discourage their clients to be associated with many MFIs.”

Speaking as a special guest Honorable Member of Parliament Ms. Tulasa Thapa asked the MFIs not to indulge in unhealthy competition and client duplication.” Similarly, Honorable Member of Parliament Mr. Lila Nath Shrestha said: “MFIs should focus on socio economic transformation of the poor clients. They should not be over burdened with large loans beyond their needs and capacities. Over financing and duplication by MFIs has led the borrowers to loan traps resulting in increasing risks of portfolio in the microfinance sector”.

Speaking on behalf of the awarded organization Manushi Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Ltd. Ms. Padmasana Shakya said, "Manushi has been promoting entrepreneurship since its inception and has been working on social business enterprise development model focusing on using the local resources and skills."  Speaking in the occasion the member of CSD Governing Board Dr. Gopal Dahit, delivered the vote of thanks.

News

Announcements