Microfinance Working Group

Mission: The Microfinance Working Group (MFWG) at Columbia University is comprised of some 500 members drawn from the School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) and the wider Columbia community, other universities, alumni and those working in the microfinance and microenterprise sectors around the world. The members of MFWG are interested in raising awareness about the field of microfinance and microenterprise development to Columbia University through regular events such as brown bag lectures by leading figures in the field, internship panel discussions, and career forums with microfinance practitioners.

Website: MFWG

Chinese Microentrepreneurs May Get Legal Licenses

Chinese Microentrepreneurs May Get Legal Licenses(0)

August 19, 2009

China’s State Council just issued a draft ordinance that allows street vendors and other microentrepreneurs to register for permits and recruit employees legally. The draft ordinance, titled “Individual and Household Business Ordinance (Draft)” / “个体工商户条例(征求意见稿)”, will allow micro-enterprises to get access to loans from alternative sources such as small loan companies and village banks.

Chinese Microentrepreneurs May Get Legal Licenses
Microfinance–Everyone is doing it!

Microfinance–Everyone is doing it!

Many Chinese “microfinance” companies aren’t really microfinance at all. Their sites are mainly for urbanites looking to buy new digital equipment, fund a gym membership, or renovate their house. If this continues, it could have a damaging effect on the true microfinance brand in China.