National Consultation Workshop on Alternative Mechanisms for the Promotion of Microfinance in Vietnam

This paper reports the joint workshop held by the Vietnam Bank of Agriculture (VBA) and the Asia Pacific Rural Agricultural Association (APRACA) in 1996. The purpose of the workshop was to:

• Disseminate APRACA research findings on Grassroots Financial System Development;
• Exchange experiences among local institutions;
• Identify workable financial mechanisms with poverty outreach;
• Formulate a workable plan under the APRACA-GTZ Regional Program on Linkage Banking and Grassroots Financial Systems Development.

It presents the project proposal on "Microfinancial institution networking project", which is planned from 1997 to 2007. The objectives are to establish:

• A network of microfinance institutions;
• A system of apex services;
• Second-tier regulatory authorities by active participation in policy dialogues;
• A system of research, documentation and dissemination;
• Capacity-building and training services - to be consolidated in apex organizations;
• Development in existing linkage banking schemes and projects.