The professional associations of the cooperative sector and of the microfinance, the National Association of Credit Unions Haitian (ANACAPH), the National Council of Popular Financing (KNFP) and the National Association of Microfinance Institutions of Haiti (ANIMH) in collaboration with the Forum Latin American andof Caribbean of Rural Finance (FOROLAC-FR) organize, at Moulin sur Mer (Coast of Arcadins) on 10 and 11 July 2012, a workshop on the legal framework and the social performance of the microfinance in Haiti.

This workshop, will specifically ask the question of the economic inclusion and poverty reduction in Haiti with the active role of cooperatives and of the microfinance in general. The objective is to fuel the debate on the regulatory framework and the social commitment of the sector to contribute to sustainable development of the Haitian economy.

Many representatives of cooperatives, microfinance institutions, mutual movements and of of state agencies interested by the activities of sector, such as the Bank of the Republic of Haiti (BRH), the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Ministry of Planning, the Finance Commissions of Parliament and the National Council of Cooperatives (CNC), are expected to this workshop.

The organizers wish to reach a consensus on the elements necessary for developing a legal framework promoting the participation, the harmonization and the development of the sector, who will be able to benefit of a igher rate of penetration of the workforce. They also want to increase the involvement of financial cooperatives and of non-cooperative structures in the economic and social development and encourage the involvement of government in the establishment of a comprehensive of development for the sector.

Recall that the cooperative movement has existed for 75 years in Haiti. Born in 1937, the Société Coopérative Agricole de Source Chaude (Terre-Neuve/Artibonite) is the first in this sector. The first cooperative of savings and loans was born in 1946. The microfinance non cooperative appeared in the early 80s. By 30 September 2011, according to available statistics, the sector's total assets amounted to 10.56 billion gourdes. Its gross loan portfolio amount 7.4 billion for 286.416 borrowers whose 74% are women

The organizers welcome the support of the European Union and of Office of the National Authorising Officer (BON) that enabled the holding of this workshop.

HL/ HaitiLibre