[The inaugural ceremony of the Observance of UN International Year of Microcredit 2005 was held in Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre on January 15, 2005. Begum Khaleda Zia (3rd from left), the Hon’ble Prime Minister of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh was the Chief Guest and inaugurated the observance of the year. Other present are (from left) Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed, Convener of National Committee for Observance of the Microcredit Year and Managing Director of PKSF; Mr M. Saifur Rahamn, Hon’ble Minister for Finance and Planning; Mr. M. Morshed Khan, Hon’ble Minister for Foreign Affairs; Professor Muhammad Yunus, Managing Director, Grameen Bank and Mr. Jorgen Lissner, UNDP Resident Representative in Bangladesh.]

Inauguration of Observance of UN International Year of Microcredit 2005 in Bangladesh

The inaugural ceremony of the Observance of UN International Year of Microcredit 2005 in Bangladesh was held at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in Dhaka on January 15.

The Hon’ble Prime Minister of the Government of People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Begum Khaleda Zia, inaugurated the event as Chief Guest. Hon’ble Minister for Finance and Planning, Mr. M. Saifur Rahman; Hon’ble Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. M. Morshed Khan; Managing Director of Grameen Bank, Professor Muhammad Yunus; Resident Representative of UNDP, Mr. Jargen Lissner; Managing Director of Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) and Convener of the National Committee for Observance of the UN Microcredit Year 2005 in Bangladesh, Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed addressed the ceremony.

The Prime Minister released two commemorative postal stamps to mark the UN International Year of Microcredit 2005. Ministers, Members of Parliament, high government officials, diplomats, officials of donor agencies, academics, civil society members, representatives from microcredit organisations, including Partner Organisations (POs) of PKSF, among others, attended the ceremony.

Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed delivered the welcome speech and thanked all for attending the ceremony. He said that globally about 70 million households have been brought under the microcredit network by 2004, of whom about 10 million were in Bangladesh. He said microcredit is one of the devices to alleviate poverty, not the only one. If a poor person gets into microcredit programme it helps him or her to come out of the vicious circle of poverty gradually in all aspects of life. Dr. Ahmed also read out a message of the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, which he gave on the occasion of the UN International Year of Microcredit 2005.

Dr. Ahmed informed the participants that to observe the UN Microcredit Year 2005 in Bangladesh, a National Committee for Observance, comprising representatives from the government and non-government organisations, has been formed. In a similar way, sub-committees have been formed at the district and upazila/thana levels. The microcredit organisations across the country have chalked out programmes to observe the year, he said.
In her inaugural speech the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Begum Khaleda Zia said, “We have received a lot of things from the international community, but we have given the model of microcredit to the world.” She thanked the Secretary General of the United Nations for recognising the pioneering role of Bangladesh in microcredit for alleviating poverty. She praised PKSF’s initiative for reducing interest rate on microcredit and advised other operators to follow PKSF’s example. She said, "Do not limit your activities to disbursement and collection of loan only. Make sure that its result reach the really poor people." While stressing the need for a regulatory framework for coordination, supervision and further expansion of the sector, the Prime Minister advised the microfinance organisations to devise strategies for prudent use of funds mobilised from poor borrowers' savings in microenterprises.

The Finance Minister, Mr. M. Saifur Rahman underscored the need for rationalisation of the interest rates of microcredit and bringing the overall operations of the microcredit under a regulatory framework. He termed the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper “basis of the country’s real development" and said, "For the poorest segment of the population targeted poverty alleviation programme like microcredit is essential." The Minister also elaborated the various microcredit programmes undertaken by the government. He gave emphasis on generating employment opportunities developing small and medium-scale industries in the process of implementing microcredit programme. "Government allocation in this sector may be increased further," he said.

The Foreign Minister, Mr. M. Morshed Khan said that it is a matter of pride for the whole nation that Bangladesh is recognised as the pioneer of microfinance system in the world. Microcredit has helped the poor people improve their living standard and made their voice strong in the development planning, he said.

The Managing Director of Grameen Bank, Professor Muhammad Yunus strongly advocated for institutional and legal framework under a new microcredit law for the flourishment of the sector. He suggested enactment of two laws — one for the creation of microcredit banks and the other for setting up separate oversight institution for such banks. In his speech Professor Yunus also said that the UN regards microcredit as a powerful weapon to achieve the millennium development goal of reducing the number of poor people, who live on less than a dollar a day, by half within 2015. He expressed his confidence that by 2030 there will be no poor people in Bangladesh.

The UNDP Resident Representative, Mr. Jargen Lissner said, microfinance institutions (MFIs) should expand and diversify their loan packages according to the needs of the poor people. He emphasised on thinking how to develop the sector further utilising the experiences of successful practice of microcredit. He also felt the necessity of reaching a consensus on setting up an appropriate regulatory authority for the sector, and insurance system and training for the borrowers.

Annual General Meeting of PKSF 2004-2005

The 15th Annual General Meeting of PKSF was held on December 22, 2004 at PKSF Bhaban, Agargaon, Dhaka. The meeting was presided over by Professor Wahiduddin Mahmud, Chairman of PKSF. The other members of the General Body present at the meeting were Professor Mohammad Yunus, Begum Tahrunnesa Abdullah, Dr Iqbal Mahmood, Mr. A. A. Qureshi, Mr. Md. Hedayetul Islam Chowdhury, Dr. Ahmed Kamal, Dr. Hossain Zillur Rahman, Begum Rokia A. Rahman, Dr. Nazmunnesa Mahtab and Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed, Managing Director of PKSF. The chairman welcomed all present at the meeting, particularly the two newly elected members, Begum Rokia A. Rahman and Mr. Md. Hedayetul Islam Chowdhury.

[Professor Wahiduddin Mahmud, Chairman of PKSF, is presiding over the 15th Annual General Meeting of PKSF at PKSF Bhaban]

Professor Wahiduddin Mahmud presented the Annual Report of the Governing Body at the meeting. Some highlights of the Annual Report are: during the Financial Year 2003-2004, PKSF disbursed Tk. 2940.70 million to its POs under core programmes and under projects the disbursement was Tk. 45.25 million.

At the end of the financial year, cumulative loan disbursement to POs stood at Tk. 17181.30 million. The loan recovery rate was maintained above 98%.

Cumulative loan disbursement of POs to beneficiaries was Tk.127486.28 million and the number of borrowers was 4714190, of whom 90% were women. Along with its mainstream credit programme, PKSF also continued to provide loans to the rural poor under different projects with a view to making microcredit more effective, growth and employment oriented. During the year, PKSF gave special emphasis on the development of microenterprise to meet the need of the progressive borrowers and took special programme for the monga-affected people, living in acute poverty and seasonal shortfalls in income in the northern region of the country. This segment of the poor were not benefiting from the normal microcredit system. To help the people get rid of the crisis, the terms and conditions of this special credit programme have been relaxed, with provisions of flexibilities in repayment schedule and reduced interest rate. In the financial year, PKSF continued its financial services for the poorest. PKSF also provided interest-free loan to the POs for the flood affected poor borrowers for rehabilitation and immediate consumption.

The Chairman of the Governing Body informed the meeting of PKSF's initiative in reducing interest rate for the grassroots borrowers from 15% to 12.5%. The General Body discussed the Annual Report and approved it. The Audited Accounts of the Financial Year 2003-2004 was presented and was approved by the General Body. The meeting also approved Budget of PKSF for the Financial Year 2004-2005 and appointed two auditors for the financial year.

Second Participatory Livestock Development Project Launched

PKSF considers dairy and poultry farming as sustainable income generating activities (IGAs) for poverty alleviation. PKSF through its POs implemented microcredit programme in the north-western region under Participatory Livestock Development Project (PLDP-1) from 1998 to 2003, with the assistance of the Government of Bangladesh (GOB) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Inspired by the successful experience of the project, PKSF decided to continue implementation of microcredit programme for livestock development and launched second Participatory Livestock Project (PLDP-II). The GOB and ADB have agreed to assist the PLDP-II to be implemented from July 2004 to June 2010.

Involving a total project cost of US$ 55.8 million the objective of PLDP-II is to alleviate poverty of 6,66,000 members, including 5,000 hardcore poor, under 157 upazilas in 20 northern districts.

The borrowers will be given capacity building training on social and technical aspects, including marketing of their products, so that they can run their IGAs in a sustainable manner. The project also has provision for continuous capacity building support for PKSF and programme implementing POs.

The borrowers on their own will select IGAs and the project personnel will help them in the selection process. The overall aim is to transform the borrowers into sustainable entrepreneurs.

PKSF, with the support of the Department of Livestock (DLS), under the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, will implement the project through the selected POs. A Project Management Unit (PMU) has been established in Rangpur and Project Liaison Unit (PLU) at PKSF Bhaban in Dhaka.

A Project Steering Committee has been formed to oversee project implementation. A working level implementation committee has also been established to guide the PMU on a more regular basis. The PMU, established in Rangpur, started functioning on October 24, 2004. The PMU has 15 personnel, consisting of 10 officials, including a Project Coodinator and a Deputy Project Coordinator, and five support staff.

[Mr. Mosharrof Hossain Khan, Deputy Managing Director of PKSF, is addressing the Start-up Workshop of PLDP-II in Rangpur. Mr. Nurul Islam, Project Coordinator and Mr. Md. Mashiar Rahman, Deputy Project Coordinator, are also seen at the workshop. ]

The project has selected 15 POs of PKSF to implement the programme in 157 upazilas/thanas at the primary stage. These are: Ananya Samaj Kalyan Sangstha, Pabna; Assistance for Organisation and Development (ASOD), Rangpur; BRAC, Dhaka; Rangpur Dinajpur Rural Service (RDRS), Rangpur; Eco-Social Development Organisation (ESDO), Thakurgaon; Gram Bikash Kendra (GBK), Dinajpur; Gram Unnyan Karmo, Bogra; Health Education and Economic Development (HEED) Bangladesh, Dhaka; Padakkhep Manobik Unnyan Karmo (PMUK), Dhaka; Palli Mangal Karmasuchi (PMK), Dhaka; People Oriented Programme Implementation (POPI), Kishoreganj; Society for Social Services (SSS), Tangail; Swanirvar Bangaldesh, Dhaka; Thengamara Mohila Sabuj Sangha (TMSS), Bogra and Uttara Development Programme Society (UDPS), Bogra.

To enhance capacity of the POs for implementing the project approximately 27 livestock development centres will be established. The DLS will recruit one officer to coordinate and supervise the project implementation in five upazila/thanas. A total of 31 such officers will be recruited for the project across the country.

Humanitarian Activities of PKSF

Floods, 2004

The three-fourths of the country was badly affected by floods in 2004. Among others the poor borrowers of the POs of PKSF were also badly affected. To meet the immediate needs, including consumption and rehabilitation needs of the affected microcredit borrowers, PKSF provided interest-free loan of Tk. 6.62 crore to 65 POs. PKSF also donated Tk. 54,595, contributed by PKSF staff from their salary, to the Prime Minister's Relief Fund for the flood victims.

Monga

Traditionally in the rural areas of the country the problem of unemployment becomes acute just after the Bengali month Bhadra and it persists till fresh cropping in the month of Agrahayan. The case in the northern region has always been worse. Locally this seasonal scarcity of employment and its consequent lack of income of people, has been labelled as 'monga.'

[Dr. Md. Jashim Uddin , Deputy General Manager and Sadhona Mahal, Research Associate of PKSF talk to people in the monga-prone area in Rangpur.]

Providing microcredit to the poor of the monga-prone area has been identified as a viable strategy to address the problem. PKSF took the challenge of giving soft loan to the poor people of the monga area.

So far PKSF disbursed Tk. 50 crore to 12 POs under this special credit programme, from Tk. 100 crore provided earlier by the GOB for disbursing to the hardcrore poor. As of January 31, 2005 the POs have organised 81,392 members under this microcredit programme of whom 49,740 have been given loan.

PKSF also has a plan to address the same seasonal problem in remote and char areas across the country through 22 more POs. The selection process of the POs has been completed.

Tsunami, 2004

Tsunami claimed more than 1,50,000 lives and injured even more in the neighbouring India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Indonesia,

Malaysia and Thailand on December 26, 2004. The government of Bangladesh extended support for the victims immediately. PKSF also has taken steps to help the affected neighbours. It has handed over Tk. 48 lac, which it received from its POs, to the appropriate authority to be given to the victims of Inida, Sri Lanka and Maldives.

Research and Publications Cell of PKSF strengthened

PKSF since its beginning has been involved in action research. It also publishes books, journals, periodicals and others. To give the activities a boost Ms. Sarah Jasmin, who was working as Manager (Training), Mr. Shah Muhammad Ikhtiar Jahan Kabir, who was working as Deputy Manager (Public Relations and Counselling), and a Grade-1, Sharmine Mridha, have been transferred to the cell. Ms. Sadhona Mahal has been appointed as Research Associate of PKSF to work in the cell.

Training, Workshop and Study Visit

Training for PKSF Staff

· Mr. S.M. Shamsul Arifeen, Deputy Manager (Training), participated in a training on "Course Design and Methodology," organised by Bangladesh Institute of Management (BIM), in Dhaka, during August 16-17, 2004.

· Mr. Fazlul Kader, Deputy General Manager (Operations), participated at the "International Workshop on the Development of Bond Market in Bangladesh," organised by Bangladesh Bank, at BRAC Centre, Dhaka, during December 1-2, 2004.

· Mr. Ibrahim Khalil, Assistant Manager (Operations), participated in a training course on "MDG Needs Assessment Methodology," organised by Economic Research Group (ERG), at BRAC University, during January 11-15, 2005.

Spot Training for POs’ Staff

PKSF organised spot training on "Skill Development on Microcredit Management" for the staff of two POs at their respective venues. A total of 100 staff of RDRS, Rangpur were given this training during October 2-3, 2004 and 25 staff of Prottyashi, Chittagong during January 16-19, 2005.

Inter-PO Study Visit

PKSF organised two two-day Inter-PO Study Visits during July 2004-January, 2005 for the senior management staff of POs including the chief executive officers. CMES, Rajshahi visited IDF, Chittagong during 22-23 December, while IDF, Chittagong paid visit to CMES, Rajshahi during 28-29 December. Each of the teams comprised 12 members.

Capacity Building Workshop for the PO Officials

PKSF organised two workshops for enhancement of skills of high officials of POs during July 2004-January 2005. The first workshop, held on December 26, 2004 at SSS, Tangail, was presided over by Mr. Abdul Hamid Bhuiyan, Executive Director of SSS. Deputy Commissioner of Tangail, Mr. Saifuddin Ahmed Majumder attended the workshop as Chief Guest. Dr. Abdul Hamid, District Livestock Officer of Tangail and Mr. Muhammad Hassan Khaled, Assistant General Manager of PKSF, attended as Special Guests. Mr. Dilip Paul, Manager; Mr. S.M. Shamsul Arifeen, Deputy Manager and Mr. Musharrof Hossain, Assistant Manager of PKSF, were present among others. A total of 36 officials from 11 POs participated at the workshop. The POs are SSS, Samaj Unnyan Sangstha, Social Advancement Through Unity (SATU) and Samannita Unnayan Seba Sangsthan (SUSS) of Tangail; SUS and Shishu Unnayan Sangstha of Dhaka; Progress, Jamalpur; Agro-forestry Seed Production & Development Association (ASPDA) and GRAMUS of Mymensigh and DSK of Netrakona.

[Mr. Shah Alam Mridha, Deputy General Manager of PKSF, is speaking at a training session, organised by PKSF at PKSF Bhaban. Ms. Sarah Jasmin, Manager (Training), also was present at the session]

The second workshop was held on January 27, 2005, at Village Education Resource Centre (VERC), Dhaka. Mr. Md. Abdul Bari, Deputy Commissioner of Dhaka District attended the workshop as Chief Guest. Mr. A.Z.M. Salauddin Nagri, Upazila Nirbahi Officer of Savar, Dr. Md. Jashim Uddin, Deputy General Manager, and Mr. Sajal Halder, Assistant General Manger of PKSF, were Special Guests. Presided over by Mr. Abdul Halim, Executive Director of VERC, the workshop was attended, among others, by Mr. S.M. Shamsul Arifeen, Deputy Manger of PKSF. A total of 24 officials from eight POs participated at the workshop. The POs are VERC, PMK, Uddipan, CDIP, AF and Swanirvar Bangaldesh of Dhaka.

Training for Partner Organisations at a Glance

During the period, July 2004 -January 2005, PKSF has provided training to 1,124 officials or staff of the POs under different courses. The physical progress of PKSF’s training programme for the POs can be seen in the following table.

Study Visit at PKSF from Abroad

A four-member team, comprising members of the Board of Trustee of Microenterprise Support Programme Trust (MSEPT), Nirobi, Keniya, visited PKSF from January 8 to January 16, 2005. The members of the team were Ms. Beatrice Sabana, Mr. Mubia Gatonye, Mr. Kenneth Waithiru and Mr. John Masha. They also visited ASA, BRAC, SSS and Grameen Bank during their stay in Bangladesh. A 13-member team from the Pakistan Administrative Staff College, led by Mr. Khalid Mahmood, Principal of the college, visited PKSF during their stay in Bangladesh from September 20 to 26, 2004. They shared views with high officials of PKSF, including the Managing Director, on different issues related to microcredit, particularly apex lending. A team from Spain also paid a short visit to PKSF during this period.

[Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed, Managing Director of PKSF, is talking to members of a visiting team from the Pakistan Staff College. Mr. Mosharraf Hossain Khan and Ms. Parveen Mahmud, Deputy Managing Directors and Dr. M.A. Hakim, General Manager (Administration), were also present at the meeting.]

Study Visit of PKSF Officials Abroad

A-13 member team, led by Mr. Shah Alam Mridha, Deputy General Manager (Audit) of PKSF, participated in a study visit to Thailand, during August 25-September 03, 2004. The other members of the team were from the POs of PKSF. They are Mr. Mallik Mohammad Ayub, Executive Director, Sankalpa Trust, Barguna; Mr. Md. Shahjahan Gazi, Executive Director, Dak Diye Jai, Pirojpur; Mr. Waliur Rahman Khan, Executive Director, Palli Pragati Sahayak Samitty, Faridpur; Mr. Kazi Ashraful Hassan, Director, Society Development Committee, Faridpur; Mrs. Majeda Shawkat Ali, Executive Director, Naria Unnyan Samity, Sariatpur; Mrs. Rehana Parvin, Executive Director, Shaplaful, Bagerhat; Mr. Golam Ahia, Executive Director, Bandhu Kallyan Sangstha, Jessore; Mr. Md. Enamul Haque, Director, Kushtia Palli Unnyan Sangstha, Kushtia; Mr. Shaikh Eman Ali, Director, Satkhira Unnyan Sangstha, Satkhira; Mr. Mohammad Nurul Amin, Executive Director, Jatyio Kallyan Sangstha, Joypurhat; Mr. Mahfuz Ali Quaderi, Executive Director, Ananya Samaj Kallyan Sangstha, Pabna and Mr. Advocate Syed Mayeenul Huq, Chairman, Centre for Advanced Research & Social Action (CARSA), Barisal.

Human Resource

Appointments

• The following five officers have been appointed as Assistant Managers: Mr. Md. Azmal Haque Khan and Mr. Md. Mizanur Rahman, effective from October 10, 2004; Miss Farzana Hamid, from October 12, 2004; Mr. Mansur Alam, from December 01, 2004 and Mr. Dilip Kumar Lahiri, effective from December 05, 2004.

• The following officers have been appointed as Associates in different department/cells of PKSF: Mrs. Mahbuba Rahman Runa (MIS), effective from July 14, 2004; Mr. Shofiul Alam (MIS), from October 06, 2004; Mst. Mahmuda Parvin (FSP), from June 01, 2004 and Miss Angela Malaker, effective from November 21, 2004.

• Mr. Md. Abdus Sattar has been appointed as a Microfinance Specialist of PKSF, effective from May 09, 2004 and Dr. Jahangir Alam Choudhury as Consultant (Research and Training), effective from October 26, 2004.

• Mr. Md. Abdul Majid has been appointed as Project Coordinator of FSP project of PKSF, effective from November 21, 2004.

• Mr. Nurul Islam has been appointed as Project Director of PLDP-II of PKSF, effective from July 25, 2004. The following officers and supporting staffs also have joined in this project. They are Mr. Md. Altaf Hossain as Project Manager, effective from October 07, 2004; Mr. Khairul Basher as Fianancial Analyst, from October 17, 2004; Mr. Md. Abdul Hye, Mr. Md. Mahbub Alam and Mr. Md. Babul Banik as Livestock Improvement Officer, from October 10, 2004; Mr. Md. Wbidullah Sarkar as Accountant, from October 11, 2004; Farida Parvin as Accountant, from October 19, 2004 and Mr. Soriful Islam as Computer Operator, effective from December 05, 2004.

Promotion

· Mr. Md. Abdul Khaleque Mia has been promoted to the position of Assistant General Manager (Accounts) and Mr. Md. Ataur Rahman has been promoted to the position of Assistant General Manager (Administration) of PKSF, effective from November 1, 2004.

· Mr. Md. Iftekher Ali has been promoted to the position of Manager (Audit); Ms. Jebun Nahar, Mr. Abdul Latif, Mr. Dilip Kumar Chakrovorty and Mr. Zaman Khondoker have been promoted to the positions of Manager (Operations), effective from November 1, 2004.

· Mr. Shah Muhammad Ikhtiar Jahan Kabir has been promoted to the position of Deputy Manager (Research and Publications), Mr. S.M. Shamsul Arifeen to the position of Deputy Manager (Training), Begum Afroza Sultana to the position of Deputy Manager (Administration); Mr. Tapon Kumar Shill, Mr. Dipen Kumar Saha, and Mr. A.T.M Hemayet-Ur-Rahman have been promoted to the positions of Deputy Manager (Operations), effective from November 1, 2004.

· Mr. Rezaul Karim and Mr. Moniruzzaman have been promoted to the positions of Officer, effective from November 1, 2004.

· Mr. Bashir Ahmed and Ms. Sharmine Mridha have been promoted to the positions of Grade-1, effective from November 1, 2004

Governing Body Meeting

The 125th Meeting of the Governing Body of PKSF was held on August 1, 2004 at PKSF Bhaban with Professor Wahiduddin Mahmud, Chairman of PKSF, in the chair.
The Governing Body sanctioned interest-free loan amounting to Tk. 5.60 crore to 62 POs for rehabilitation and immediate consumption of the borrowers. It also sanctioned Tk. 17.57 crore under Rural Microcredit (RMC) component to 16 POs; Tk. 50 lac under Micro Finance and Technical Support (MFTS) project and Tk. 1.35 crore under Urban Microcredit (UMC) component to 2 POs; and Tk. 20.60 lac to 4 POs under Institutional Development (ID) component.



[Professor Wahiduddin Mahmud, Chairman of PKSF, is presiding over a Governing Body Meeting at PKSF Bhaban. Others present at the meeting were ( L-R) Begum Tahrunnnesa Abdullah, Dr. Nazmunnesa Mahtab, Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed and Professor Muhammad Yunus.]

The Governing Body gave post-facto sanction of Tk. 1.20 crore under Financial Services for the Poorest (FSP) project to 19 POs.

The Governing Body also accepted two new POs, namely Action for Human Development Organisation (AHDO), Kushtia and South Asia Partnership-Bangladesh, Dhaka. It sanctioned Tk. 1.0 lac for each of the organisations.

The 126th Meeting of the Governing Body was held on September 4, 2004 at PKSF Bhaban with Professor Mahmud in the chair. The Governing Body sanctioned loan amounting to Tk 11.59 crore to 16 POs under RMC, Tk. 1.70 crore under MFTS project to 3 POs, Tk. 2.05 crore under UMC to 3 POs and Tk. 12.75 lac to 6 POs under ID component.

The 127th Meeting of the Governing Body held on November 29, 2004, at PKSF Bhaban presided over by Professor Mahmud, gave post-facto sanction of loan amounting to Tk. 1.50 crore under FSP project to 19 POs. The Governing Body sanctioned loan of Tk. 100.54 crore under RMC component to 29 POs and one Pre-PKSF POs, Tk. 30.25 crore under MFTS project to 28 POs, Tk. 80 lac to 1 PO under UMC component, Tk. 2.50 crore under FSP project to 19 POs and 27.1 lac under ID component to 7 POs.

The Governing Body accepted an organisation, namely ENDEAVOUR (Ensure Development Activities for Vulnerable Under Privileged Rural People), Dhaka as PO under Pre –PKSF Wing and sanctioned Tk. 50,000 to it. The Governing Body decided to upgrade two POS under the Pre-PKSF Wing — ASHRAI, Rajshahi; and AlWO (Access toward Livelihood and Welfare Obsession), Natore — as full POs. They also accepted another organisation, namely Habiganj Unyan Sangstha, Habiganj as a new PO.

The 128th Meeting of the Governing Body was held on December 22, 2004 at PKSF Bhaban. The meeting was presided over by Professor Mahmud. At the meeting the Governing Body sanctioned loan amounting to Tk. 21.41 crore and 50 lac under RMC to 10 POs, Tk. 2.0 crore under UMC to 1 PO and Tk. 11.0 lac under ID component to 3 POs.

PKSF’s Credit Scenario at a Glance

As of November, 2004 the total number of POs of PKSF was 233 — three big organisations, BRAC, ASA and Proshika; 222 small and medium organisations; along with 8 organisations under the Pre-PKSF Wing.

As of November 2004, PKSF’s microcredit programme covered 4.35 million borrowers of whom 91% are women. PKSF has been maintaining cumulative loan recovery rate above 98% at both PO and beneficiary levels. A summary of PKSF’s microcredit programme, which now covers all 64 districts, is given below:

*Mainstream Microcredit comprises: Rural Microcredit, Urban Microcredit, Hard Core Poor, Disaster Management Fund (DMF), Pre-PKSF, Participatory Livestock Development (PLDP-I), Micro Enterprise Lending (MEL).

** Projects include PLDP=Participatory Livestock Development Project, TEIGP=Training, Employment and Income Generation Programme, IFADEP=Integrated Food Assisted Development Project, SRF=Socioeconomic Rehabilitation Fund, PAMFP=Poverty Alleviation Micro Finance Project, MFTS=Micro Finance & Technical Support, MEL=Micro Enterprise Lending, HCP =Hard Core Poor, ID=Institution Development.
.

New Partner Organisations of PKSF

Action for Human Development Organisation (AHDO), Kushtia

Action for Human Development Organisation (AHDO), a voluntary social services and development organization of Kushtia district, was accepted as a PO at the 125th Governing Body Meeting of PKSF.

The organisation was registered with the Directorate of Social Welfare in June 1995. The working area of the organisation covers 29 villages of 6 unions under Daulatpur and Bheramara upazilas. Prior to its becoming PO the organisation had a total of 977 members under 47 groups in its microcredit programme.

An amount of Tk. 1,03,89,000 was disbursed to 691 members and it had a loan outstanding of Tk. 14,60,900 at the field level. The loan recovery rate of the organisation was 100%. The Member Secretary of the Executive Committee Mr. Nazim Uddin Akkel is the Executive Director of the organisation.

South Asia Partnership Bangladesh, Dhaka

A voluntary social and development organisation, South Asia Partnership-Bangladesh, was accepted as a PO at the 125th Governing Body Meeting.

The organisation was established in Dhaka district in 1984 and became registered with the Directorate of Social Welfare on March 29 of the year. Then the working area of the organisation covered 67 villages of 7 unions under Galachipa upazila in Patuakhali district when it became a PO. A total of 2451 members was organised under 119 groups in its microcredit programme. The organisation disbursed an amount of Tk. 2,02,56,00 to 2283 borrowers and had a loan outstanding of Tk. 52,61,922. Its loan recovery rate was 100%.

The Member Secretary of the Executive Committee Syed Nurul Alam is the Executive Director of the organisation.

Ghasful , Chittagong

Ghashful, Chittagong, a voluntary social services organisation of Chittagong district, was accepted as a PO at the 126th Governing Body Meeting of PKSF held on September 4, 2004.

The organisation was established in 1972 and became registered with the Directorate of Social Welfare in 1983. Prior to its becoming PO of PKSF, it organised 12,204 members under 382 groups at 13 wards of the Chittagong City Corporation and 12 villages of 4 unions under Patia and Hathazari upazilas. The organisation disbursed Tk. 10,79,000 and had loan outstanding of Tk. 5,29,880 with 181 borrowers in its microcredit programme. The loan recovery rate was 100%. The General Secretary of the organisation, Mr. Aftabur Rahman Jafree, is the Executive Director of the organisation

ASHRAI, Rajshahi

A voluntary social and development organisation, ASHRAI, which was earlier accepted as a Pre-PKSF PO, was accepted as a full PO of PKSF at the 127th Governing Body Meeting on November 29, 2004.

The organisation was established in Rajshahi district and got registration of the Directorate of Social Welfare on January 2, 1990. Before its becoming PO the working area of the organisation covered 84 unions of 10 upazilas of Joypurhat, Rangpur and Dinajpur districts.

A total of 19,262 members were organised in its microcredit programme in 1120 groups under 21 branches. An amount of Tk. 4.52 crore was disbursed to 1178 borrowers and the loan outstanding was Tk. 14,60,900. The recovery rate of loan was 99.15%. The General Secretary of the Executive Committee Dr. Md. Ahsan Ali is the Executive Director of the organisation.

ALWO (Access toward Livelihood & Welfare Organisation), Natore

A voluntary development organisation, ALWO, which was earlier accepted as a Pre-PKSF PO, was approved as a full PO at the 127th Governing Body Meeting held on November 29, 2004. The organisation got registration of the Social Welfare Department on June 15, 2000. Prior to its becoming PO the working area of the organisation covered 34 villages of 9 unions under Sadar and Singra upazilas in Natore district.

A total of 303 members were organised in its microcredit programme under 24 groups. An amount of Tk. 68,87,500 was disbursed to 195 borrowers and loan outstanding was Tk. 7,37,133. The recovery rate of loan was 98%.

The General Secretary of the Executive Committee Ms. Shamima Laizu Nila is the Executive Director of the organisation.

Habiganj Unnayan Sangstha, Habiganj

Habiganj Unnayan Sangstha, established in 2002 in Habiganj district, was approved as a PO at the 127th Governing Body Meeting held on Novermber 29, 2004. The organisation got registration from the Directorate of Social Welfare on February 2, 2002. When the organisation got PKSF's affiliation as a PO its working area covered 26 villages under 4 unions and 1 municipality under Sadar and Baniachong upazilas Habiganj district.

It organised a total of 556 members under 29 groups in its credit programme. An amount of Tk. 26,24,000 was disbursed to 475 borrowers and the loan outstanding was Tk. 11,39,411. The recovery rate of loan was 100%.

The General Secretary of the Executive Committee Shafiqul Bari Awal is the Chief Executive of the organisation.

ENDEAVOUR (Ensure Development Activities for Vulnerable Underprivileged Rural People), Dhaka

ENDEAVOUR (Ensure Development Activities for Vulnerable Under Privileged Rural People), a development organisation, was accepted as a PO under the Pre-PKSF wing at the 127th meeting of the Governing Body held on November 29, 2004.

The organisation was registered with the Directorate of Social Welfare on August 24, 1994. When it became PO the working area of EDEAVOUR covered 16 villages of 12 unions under Habiganj Sadar upazila.

A total of 1510 members were organised under 74 groups in its credit programme. An amount of Tk. 1,43,89,800 was disbursed to 1175 borrowers and had a loan outstanding of Tk. 34,20,108. The loan recovery rate was 98.27%.

The General Secretary of the organisation Khalilur Rahman Chowdhury is the Executive Director of the organisation.

All the papers presented at the Asia Pacific Microcredit Summit Meeting of Councils (APRMS) 2004 held in Dhaka in February 2004 are now posted at on webpage under the caption ”Asia Pacific Microcredit Summit 2004.”

Editorial Board