The recently concluded inception workshop of the IFAD-supported APRACA grant project last 28-29 March 2013 held at Amari Watergate Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand focused mainly on synergism and collaborative partnerships toward accessing rural finance and agricultural development in rural communities as emphasized by Dr. Ganesh Thapa, IFAD Regional Economist for Asia and the Pacific and supported by MsPoonsookMusiklad, senior vice president and representing Mr. Luck Wajananawat, president of the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives in Thailand, and Mr. Kim Vada, acting chairman of APRACA and the Director General of National Bank of Cambodia in their speechesduring the opening program.
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was further noted as part of a dynamic cadre of institutions in rural
finance; the Philippines, India, Thailand, and Indonesia could serve as
sources of knowledge expertise for the project country sites to learn
rural finance accessibility particularly in Cambodia, Nepal, Bangladesh
and Myanmar.
Rural
financial institutions both from government and non-government attended
the workshop to discuss and share ideas, strategies and mechanisms in
accessing rural finance. At the same time, finalization of project
targets and activities were done to guide the implementers achieve the
goal and objectives holistically.
The
identified collaborative efforts target the rural farmers and
entrepreneurs including women and youth who are painstakingly working
for the development of their rural communities. With
this concern, the project dubbed as FinServAccess will enable these
individuals to work together with rural financial institutions in
drawing credit and loan services including support services like
training, research and extension and development.
During
the workshop, invited participants shared their country’s latest
activities on rural finance and agricultural development through board
and powerpoint presentations. The
voluminous experiences and knowledge-based expertise in improving the
lives of therural people and communities in Nepal, Cambodia, Bangladesh
and Myanmar were described and explained exhaustively.
Specifically,
Nepal participants presented the rural self-reliance fund (RSRF) aimed
at uplifting the socio-economic status of deprived and economically
marginalized people and communities through wholesale credit to
cooperatives and non-government organizations. This
being said, there are several areas the project can venture into to
ensure sustainability of endeavors through effective and efficient
resource accessibility.
Cambodia’s
rural financial programs like policies and strategies in microfinance,
engagement towards financing renewable energy and improving rural
finance outreach and banking services enhance access of rural people to
be more pro-active and responsive. On the other hand, Bangladesh
experience on working with women boosts an opportunity for local
partnership and empowerment at the grassroots. Myanmar’s experience on
loan repayment scheme will surely be an advantage on learning
intervention for the project’s stakeholders. Given these vast knowledge
sharing, the project will definitely ensure a more participative
endeavor towards sustainable rural finance activities.
