TBLI CONFERENCE™ EUROPE 2008

Workshop 1 - Microfinance

Location

Amsterdam Room, First Floor

Time

14:30 - 16:15

Speakers

Moderator

Gert van Maanen (The Netherlands)
Dutch government Advisory Council on Development Affairs

Speaker

Bob Bragar (The Netherlands)
Director - Strategies for Impact Investors

Title

Financing Microfinance - Laws That Apply.

Description

The legal opportunities, barriers and pitfalls that face any Northern Hemisphere funder of microfinance and other anti-poverty businesses in developing countries. Why do legal issues matter? How to select the right investments: legal concerns? Can we enforce our rights? Can we prevent misuse of money? Local law and lawyers? Local currency - hard currency? What legal entities to lend to? Is arbitration worthwhile or a waste of time?

Speaker

Dinos Constantinou (Switzerland )
Founder - Global Microfinance Group SA

Title

Equity Investments In Institutions Financing Micro & Small Businesses In Emerging Markets (Global Focus)

Speaker

Sanjay Sinha (United States of America)
Deputy Chief Financial Officer - Microcredit Enterprises, Inc.

Description

1) How similar is the microfinance market to the subprime mortgage market? What lessons can be learned to prevent a similar disaster?

2) What steps can the microfinance industry take toward self regulation that will protect the interest of the borrowers and the investors?