We in the community of microfinance specialists want to help alleviate poverty. We think microfinance is a useful tool … other one the development of a healthy microfinance industry. If poverty reduction is our objective, then microfinance is … likely to be only one of several instruments; in fact it might turn out to be of minor importance. If viable microfinance …

economy, creating a policy environment for the emergence of a demand-driven system of microfinance. Such a system should be … based on the cultural traditions of Laos where community solidarity is strong and women play a crucial role in microfinance …. It is suggested that an evolving Laotian system of microfinance might comprise the following components: (1) A …