AGRO & SOCIAL FUND PARTICIPATED AT THE EVENT
“EUROPEAN MICROFINANCE DAY 2019”
On October 15, 2019, Agro & Social Fund participated at the event “European Microfinance Day 2019”, organized by the Albanian Microfinance Association (AMA) under the auspices of the European Microfinance Network and Microfinance Center (MFC). This event aimed to present the achievements of the microfinance industry at national and European level, with the objective of raising awareness about the social and economic impact of microfinance on the financial inclusion of measures, poverty alleviation and job creation.
The event was opened with his greeting speech by the current President of AMA and at the same time the Executive Director of FedInvest, Mr. Perlat Sulaj, who focused on the achievements of microfinance over the years, success stories, but also the challenges that this industry has gone through in the 27 years of its existence. Afterwards, Mrs. Brunilda Isaj, General Secretary of AMA, delivered a speech and illustrated industry figures, cited lending volumes, market positioning, economic impact and quality of lending to non-bank financial institutions, members of AMA, and also inviting other institutions to join the association with the mission of playing a significant role in the Albanian financial reality.
Regarding European developments in microfinance industry, respective opportunities and challenges, Mr Nicola Benaglio, a researcher in economic sciences at Microfinance European Network with headquarter in Brussels, Belgium. In the event has participated Mr Deniz Deralla, Head of Supervisory department in BoA, who spoke about the strategy and measures that has been taken by BoA regarding financial education of the public and the role that microfinance play in this aspect. He spoke regarding prudent crediting, client transparency, the right approach of legal and regulatory framework to ensure continuance of activity with quality and value for the market.
In the end, Mr Alessandro Bragonzi has spoken, representative of European Investment Bank and European Fund of Investment, who after speaking for EIB and its activity has stressed that synergies to support financial market in Albania, are present, and that EIB considers the region as a potential for presentation of schemes and financial instruments that support the economy.
