The present paper seeks to dissect the significance of micro-credit in empowering women. It starts with a brief discussion on the role of micro-credit in poverty alleviation in general, widely acclaimed in contrast to the top-down policies. The concept of empowerment is defined from different...

Following the 2009 recession, a turnaround in corporate lending has not occurred in Hungary. Therefore, the risk of the phenomenon known in the literature as a creditless recovery has risen significantly. Based on empirical analyses, a creditless recovery leads to a slower and protracted...

The objective of this study is to compare the effect of different types of public support for R&D projects on firms’ technological capabilities. We distinguish be-tween low-interest loans and subsidies and between national and European sup-port. Using data on 2,319 Spanish firms during the...

This policy document analyzes the effectiveness and efficiency in allocation and use of funds from the Fifth component of the Instrument for Pre-Accession of the European Union for rural development - IPARD in Macedonia. The findings and recommendations are based on previous observations of the...

European perspective of Macedonian agriculture and rural development became viable on 17th of December 2005, with Macedonia gaining candidate status for European Union (EU) membership. The new outlook allowed the Country access to the Union’s Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance in Rural...

This paper explores the influences of the approved results of loans cases, the loan applicants’ socioeconomic attributes in the decision of perusal loan. The results can improve the credit quality and avoid the misjudgment of screening personal loan customers and also establish a better...

Agriculture and rural development are one of the key pillars of the European Union. Macedonia as a country candidate for joining EU is entitled to financial premises of the European Instrument for Pre-Accession Rural Development (IPARD). The importance of agriculture and rural development for...

In countries where agriculture has substantial role in generating domestic product, sustainable microfinance can seriously increase economic activities and hence rural development. It is well known that agriculture is perceived as specific and risky to be financed by banks. Therefore, creating a...

The main objective of this study is to emphasize the importance of creating special governmental refinancing institutions targeted towards strategic economic sectors. Such institution in Macedonia is Agricultural Credit Discount Fund, a separate unit within the Macedonian Bank for Development...

This paper explores the role played by policy instruments in access to housing finance by low-income households. It also analyzes the impact of housing credit and subsidies on both the quality of life and the quality of dwelling of the beneficiaries. Using the Quality of Life Surveys conducted...