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The Innovation Hypothesis. Microfinance : From Research to Practice IMFR, CAB Conference, Jan 16-17, 2009 Sanjay Bhargava sanjaybhargava@yahoo.com. The Research & Practitioner Challenge. UFA = Universal Financial Access NUPM = Negative Use of Public Money
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The Innovation Hypothesis Microfinance : From Research to Practice IMFR, CAB Conference, Jan 16-17, 2009 Sanjay Bhargava sanjaybhargava@yahoo.com
The Research & Practitioner Challenge • UFA = Universal Financial Access • NUPM = Negative Use of Public Money • Make UFA with NUPM a reality by 2013
What not how ? • War on poverty has to be won • We need NIA equivalent to win the war • Challenge researchers and practitioners to find the way • Support innovation and do not allow vested interests and biases to block innovation • A clean sheet of paper
Learning from Telecom • We have near Universal Telecom access with NUPM • Who would have believed that almost every one could learn to use a cell phone
The Viability Question • There are many sources of revenues if • Anyone can be a customer • Anyone can be a merchant • Anyone can be a biller
Eko & Bill Gates • Eko is a startup where I am one of the founders. • Based on a CGAP recommendation Bill Gates visited Eko at Uttamnagar in West Delhi and spent over two hours. • I was full time Chairman but have now moved to a part time Chief Mentor role
Beyond Eko • I have worked and am working on a series of whitepapers which I hope will be at least 20% of the solution • Money, ideas and talent will rush in if this declared a national priority and the other 80% will happen
An Earnest Appeal • To researchers • Work on the tough issues • Controlled scalable unsecured lending • Avoid sacred cows • To practitioners • Do not block progress • To regulators, government • Demand a solution • Avoid the how trap • Provide investments funds and encourage reasonable competition
Enough is Enough • It is now fashionable to use this term after the Mumbai terror attacks • We must win the war on poverty. The poor are telling us “enough is enough” if we just take the time to listen
Thank you • IUFA Yahoo Group • If you want an invite send me an email