This paper reports on the microfinance program of Hatton National Bank Limited (HNB), the largest private commercial bank in Sri Lanka. It reviews the experience of HNB, which has initiated a program offering financial services to the poor while continuing its traditional business operations.

A growing body of literature indicates that reducing gender inequalities and increasing women's access to productive resources greatly improves both welfare and economic productivity. Despite recent gains in some areas, significant gender inequalities continue to limit women's capabilities and...

Though Vietnam has made impressive progress in providing widespread access to basic social services, the quantity and quality of the country's social service provision have shown signs of deterioration within the last two decades. This paper examines the changing role of the public sector in...

Despite impressive success in improving living conditions in many Caribbean countries, poverty still persists throughout the region. This study seeks to improve our understanding of poverty in the Caribbean and the current efforts to address it. It analyzes the causes and characteristics of...

As increasing the pace of productivity growth continues to be a strong challenge in Europe despite the continuous global technology developments, promoting the adoption and usage of digital technology has become more important than ever, particularly among micro, small, and medium enterprises...

This study aims to explore ways in which key competencies of the oil and gas industry could be leveraged to support the diversification of the Chadian economy. The analysis focused on identifying opportunities and prioritizing core competencies in specific segments of the oil and gas value chain...