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THE Ziamabwe Association of Micro- finance Institutions and the Rise Project will tomorrow host a two-day green microfinance conference and exhibition that is meant to promote environmentally friendly business practices among microfinance institutions and small- to medium-scale enterprises.
The conference comes at a time when President Mugabe has assented to the Microfinance Bill which has since become law.
Speaking at a Press conference in Harare on Friday, Zamfi president Mr Godfrey Chitambo said the conference will focus on building awareness of the social and economic benefits presented by investing in green microfinance.
“This will create a dialogue platform for green banks, MFIs, environment organisations, associations, private, public and other civic sectors.
Event organiser Mrs Hazel Chinake said that the event presents an important opportunity to raise the public profile of green microfinance whilst exploring innovative mediations for poverty alleviation, capacity building, thereby inspiring the creation of next generation microfinance interventions such as inclusive green microfinance initiatives.
Over 150 participants are expected to attend the conference which will also feature an expo. The main conclusions and messages that will be drawn from the event will be collated into a declaration paper, which will be the basis for the formation of a green microfinance network and will also contribute towards the establishment of a Green Fund.
“The event is targeting banks and MFIs, Government departments and civic organisations, insurance institutions, renewable energy sector, construction sector, agriculture sector, mobile money service providers, money transfer agents, trade groups and associations, IT service providers, scholars, professionals and the public,” said Mrs Chinake.
The event will be graced by the ministries of Finance’ Environment, Water and Climate; Small to Medium Enterprises and Co-operative Development; Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development; and Youth, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment.
Speakers at the conference include Mr Geert Scheult of TriodoFacet in Netherlands, Professor Edwin Kaseke from the University of Witwatersrand, Mr Waddilove Sansole of SNV Inclusive Business Forum, Engineer John Mberi, chief executive of Afrosoft, as well as the Rural Electrification Agency.
Other speakers include Mrs Thembi Nyoni Mpofu from the Regional Centre of Corporate Social Responsibility, Mrs Anne-Marie Chidzero representing Africap Microfinance Investment Limited and representatives from Environment Africa, Care International, Boost Fellowship, Zimbabwe Microfinance Wholesale Facility (Pvt) Lrd and the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe.
Online Reporter