From Arab Spring to Real Opportunities for the Poor
Microfinance industries in the region have been supported by governments as a form of benevolent neglect.
The Arab Spring: Risks and Opportunities
If more enabling operating environments are the opportunity of the Arab Spring, let’s bet practitioners will deploy innovative ways to offer financial access to those who need it most.
Measures to Overcome Revolution-Induced Problems
The poor are always the first losers in times of economic downturn and the micro-enterprise sector in Tunisia has been hard hit.
MSME, MSME, and MSME…
Regionally, MSMEs account for more than 40% of private-sector employment, yet in many MENA countries they lack access to finance, opportunities to market their products, and effective business development services.
The Arab Spring and Microfinance in Syria
The winds of the Arab Spring gusted late into Syria, arriving within a climate quite distinct from the political storm that swept through Egypt and Tunisia. Violent clashes between protestors and government forces in Syria are ongoing without any sign of slackening, dispute resolution, or concord bringing a timely settlement.
Microfinance in Yemen: The Abyan Program
In 2011, some institutions and microfinance programs in Yemen have cut down loan disbursement, and even at times, stopped lending completely, leading to a decrease in the number of clients in Yemen.
Efforts to Support Micro and Small Enterprises
The Bank, in partnership with the government as well as a variety of stakeholders including NGO’s, banks, and micro and small enterprises, has been supporting the financing needs of micro and small businesses through the Enhancing Access to Micro and Small Enterprises Project.
The Microfinance Sector in Yemen
In Yemen, the microfinance sector in 2010 has made significant progress, with the number of active clients increasing by 100%.
Microfinance and the Arab Spring in Egypt
Revolutions that have occurred, or the so-called Arab Spring, in some of the Arab countries have had a direct impact on the microfinance industry, like all other sectors. However, the impact has differed from one country to another, according to the relevant background of each country.