There are two basic microfinance loan products – group loan and individual loan. Group loan scheme is used for very poor clients for them to have a support group, which also functions as the pressure group for defaulters, and to develop financial discipline necessary for a sustained financial access. Individual loan scheme most often is…
One of the criteria in social performance management (SPM) is the social responsibility of the microfinance institution to its staff. MFIs cannot just be focusing on its social mandate without taking into consideration the plight of its staff. The main assumptions are, on the one side, staff that enjoys working with an institution will have…
Cambodia’s economy is on the upward trend for several years, and has continued to grow and attract investors. In the words of Eric Sedgwick, Asian Development Bank Country Director, “Private consumption, exports and investment, including strong and diversified foreign direct investment will all drive economic development in 2013 and 2014.” Among the top contributors to…
Photo source: http://theasiacareertimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/asean.jpg The formation of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) is one of the most significant issues nowadays but also the least discussed. When fully implemented in 2015, it is expected to transform the economic environment in the region. The design for the region as a single market and production base is presented in…
As the light of the moon is a reflection from the sun, so is the power of the MoonLight lantern coming from the heat of the sun. Moonlight is one of the practical and multi-functional solar-powered tools developed by Kamworks. It can be used as a lantern when farmers go out to their farms early…
One of the main services of PFTAS is focused on the promotion of social performance management (SPM) as a tool for microfinance institutions. Part of these technical advisory services is the conduct of social performance assessment to determine if the institution has translated its social mission into operational policies and actual practices. In Vietnam, PFTAS…
Adult education requires more innovative methodologies relevant to the absorptive capacity and the culture of the participants. PFTAS has developed practical materials that can be used by MFIs to introduce new financial concepts, effect change in attitude and reinforce financial discipline among its clients. One of the main materials developed by PFTAS was the flipchart. …
More than thirty people huddled under the house of the village chief to listen to the presentation of the Cambodian SUN marketing staff. Using a flipchart, they discussed the technical aspects of the product and after sales support to the solar home system (SHS). It was fast, within fifteen minutes and the presentation was finished….
The Social Performance Task Force (SPTF) just released documents from the concluded annual meeting of the task force this year in Panama. Reviewing the issues raised and discussed at the meeting, we at PFTAS can claim that we are advanced in our approach in SPM mainstreaming. We not only shared the concepts of SPM but…
At present, only 24% of the total households in Cambodia have access to electric power. Those outside the main grid are using wood, kerosene and batteries as sources of energy. These energy sources claim a substantial amount on the income of an ordinary household, not to mention its effect on the environment. Promoting clean energy…
