Micro finance colloquium in Jaipur starts tomorrow

Jaipur, Jan 8(UNI) Centre for Micro Finance is organising the annual Micro Finance Colloquium in Jaipur for two days, starting tomorrow.

Addressing a press conference here today Executive director of the Centre Jaipal Singh said ''the main objective of the colloquium is to reflect on the status of Microfinance Sector in Rajasthan and develop a state level vision and strategy for growth and expansion of this sector''.

He said the progress of the Microfinance Sector in the last five years has been commendable. The number of SelfHelp Group linked with banks has increased from 22,742 in 2003 to 1,37,000 by March 2007. During the same period , the amount of credit disbursed through SHGs has increased from Rs 21.8 crore to Rs 144 crore.

He said there is a need to arrive at a shared vision and A action plan for extension and development of microfinance services in the state. The colloquium will provide an opportunity for key stake holders (such as policy makers, apex institutions, banks, insurance companies) to review the statues of this sector and envision a broad plan for expansion and growth of this sector.

He said Rajasthan Chief Minsiter Vasundhara Raje will release the ''Rajasthan Micro finance Report 2007''on Jan 10.

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