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From the Editors,
In our penultimate 2011 newsletter we would like to point out a recent published book "Financing Africa: Through the Crisis and Beyond" that intends to contribute to the efforts of African policy makers to capture opportunities and overcome the challenges faced by African financial sectors. It includes a stocktaking and forward-looking exercise that shows viable paths to financial sector deepening and broadening. It represents an effort to document existing and new trends in Africa’s financial sectors, taking into account Africa’s many different experiences.
Broad policy messages are outlined for financial systems in Africa on the premise that one size does not fit all. The book also discusses specific segments of the financial sector, such as rural and housing finance, but it does not offer an exhaustive and conclusive coverage of these segments. It expands on the analysis of the previous publication, including a thorough discussion of the regulatory challenges of finance in Africa.
Second highlight is a paper on Rural-Based Development and Potential for Enhanced Credit Access in Modern China. The paper begins with a brief discussion of the development of microcredit practices and it attempts to address a crucial question that it is felt has not been substantially treated such as: the appropriate role that enhanced credit access could actually be expected to play in China’s economy, and the potential for expanded rural credit access in the modern Chinese context. Also, it demonstrates some salient aspects of the microcredit sector’s development in recent years through examining ten case studies conducted by the authors in rural China. The paper concludes that the prospects for enhanced rural credit access in China have brightened considerably in recent years, although there remain some important barriers which must be addressed to promote further progress.
Finally, we would like to mention two valuable events that will take place during the month of December. First is FARM foundation conference - G20 agriculture: what's next? will take in Paris on 20th December 2011 and will explore two major issues: stock policies and risk management. As France prepares to pass on the G20 presidency to Mexico for 2012, the Foundation for World Agriculture and Rurality (FARM), Pluriagri and the Institute of Public Management and Economic Development (IGPDE) organize a conference to take stock of what has been achieved in 2011. At the end, a panel will give voice to farmers from different countries (Mali, Mexico, the Philippines, France). And second is FAST Global Forum 2011 “Pioneering Sustainable Value Chain Finance: From Metrics to Markets” will be held on December 14th, 2011 at the Rabobank Auditorium in Utrecht, The Netherlands. FAST Global Forum 2011 is an international event addressed to all those interested in developing the effectiveness of ‘impact investment' strategies and those looking to explore the important role that SME finance plays in the success and growth of sustainable markets. For more information on the events please click here.
All the best,
The RFLC editorial team
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