East Asia/Pacific

Donors and Investors Overview

The microfinance sectors in East Asia and the Pacific are increasingly attracting funding from international donors and investors. According to the CGAP Microfinance Funder Survey, at least 36 donors and investors were active in the region with total commitments of $1.1 billion as of December 2008. While East Asia and the Pacific receive a comparatively small share of total cross-border funding (7%), commitments to the region have grown at a higher pace than in other regions. Over 2008, donors and investors have increased their commitments by 33%.

A majority of cross-border funding is provided by donors (60%), and commercial investors are still underrepresented in the region. East Asia and the Pacific accounts for only 6% of Microfinance Investment Vehicles’ assets under management compared to 10% of the global microfinance loan portfolio and 13% of microfinance clients worldwide. The largest funders in East Asia and the Pacific are the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, IFAD and KfW.

Funders participating in the CGAP Microfinance Survey reported activities in 15 different countries in East Asia and the Pacific. Nevertheless, funding remains concentrated in few countries. Five countries (Vietnam, China, Cambodia, Indonesia and Philippines) receive 85% of funding committed to the region.

Top Five Funders in EAP

Source: 2009 CGAP Microfinance Survey