Austria
Austria will continue to strengthen microfinance
institutions in developing countries through
expanding outreach, improving services and
efficiency as well support of local, regional
and international microfinance networks.
Belgium
The Minister of Development Cooperation of Belgium
has officially approved a range of initiatives
in support of the Year of Microcredit. Under
the direction of his department, a conference
of four half-day sessions in February 2005
will examine the challenge of building financial
sectors that may integrate people that have
historically been excluded. Among the three
substantive initiatives to follow the conference,
is a partnership with a West African country
that reflects the theme and goals of the
Year. A launch event will also be held in
Belgium in November 2004.
Belgian National Committee
Charles Tollenaere
Directorate General for Development Co-operation
Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs, Foreign
Trade & Development Co-operation
Brederodestraat, 6
B - 1000 Brussels, Belgium
Tel: 32 2 519 06 26, Fax: 32 2 519 06 83
Email: Charles.Tollenaere@diplobel.fed.be
France
France’s current policy and action involves
capacity building of MFIs, development of partnerships,
increasing the collaboration between MFIs and
banks, and strengthening of the institutional
and professional environment of the microfinance
sector. In addition to continuing its present
work, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs intends
to contribute to further strengthening of the
microfinance sector, especially in countries
emerging from crises.
Germany
In Germany, activities will focus on the interlinkages
between microfinance and economic development.
In collaboration with civil society organizations,
the German Ministry of Economic Cooperation
and Development is planning a number of activities,
including: joint high-level events involving
relevant implementing agencies, the Federal
Ministries and banking institutions; a meeting
on "New partnerships for innovation
in microfinance" together with an international
organization; and an exhibition on microfinance
Netherlands
In the Netherlands, NGOs, financial institutions,
universities and consulting firms are involved
in supporting the microfinance sector in
developing countries. Thirteen funding organizations
make up the Dutch Microfinance Platform,
created in 2002: Hivos, Cordaid, Icco, Novib,
Triodos, FMO, Oikocredit, ASN, ABN Amro,
Doen Foundation, Rabobank Foundation, Ministry
of Foreign Affairs (DGIS) and Interpolis.
The Platform, originally formed to enhance
the effectiveness of microfinance, will coordinate
the activities for the Year of Microcredit
and act as the focal point, the Dutch National
Committee.
Netherlands National Committee
Johan de Waard
Email: johan-de.waard@minbuza.nl
Franck Streppel
Email: Frank.Streppel@triodos.nl
*Resi Janssen (Coordinator of the Working Group
on the Year of Microcredit)
Email: resi.janssen@novib.nl
Representing the Ministry of foreign affairs,
Triodos Bank and Novib
Norway
In Norway, the Norwegian Development Network,
a consortium of Norwegian NGOs, is planning
concrete initiatives to promote the Year.
Monaco
Monaco National Committee
Jérome Froissart
Administrateur Coopération internationale
Dervice des Relations Extérieures
9, rue Princesse Marie de Lorraine
MC 98000, Monaco
Tel: 377 93 15 89 63, Fax: 377 97 77 73 22
Email: jfroissart@troisseptsept.mc
Sweden
In Sweden, the Swedish International Development
Cooperation Agency (SIDA) has recently produced
its new microfinance guidelines and intends
to communicate it widely during 2004 and
2005 to ensure a high quality and further
expansion of Sweden’s support to microfinance.
In observance of the Year, SIDA will consider
making funds available for the Swedish Microfinance
Network, a consortium of Swedish NGOs working
in microfinance, to support activities in
raising public awareness and knowledge about
microfinance.
Turkey
In Turkey, a proposed bill on microfinance institutions
aims to establish adequate legal framework
and regulatory principles for the operation
of microfinance institutions. After the entry
into force of this bill, Turkish microfinance
institutions will participate in a conference
to scale up the provision of financial services.
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