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Viewpoint: India’s MFI Rules Need More Thought, or Else They Can Go Wrong
The microfinance industry has witnessed many changes since the 2010 crisis. Recently, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) eased some lending norms for microfinance institutions (MFIs), which will mean enhanced access to credit for customers. Also, the government has proposed that the Mudra Bank (Micro Units Development Refinance Agency Bank) will regulate MFIs. Alok Prasad, chief executive officer, Microfinance Institutions Network (MFIN), a self-regulatory organization for non-banking finance company (NBFC) MFIs, talks about regulatory challenges in the industry and how the future of microfinance may evolve. Edited excerpts:
- Categories
- Uncategorized
- Region
- South Asia
- Tags
- lending, microfinance
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Solid, heat-resistant vaccine to ease immunisation processes
EU researchers have set out to substitute liquid and freeze-dried vaccines for new, solid state candidates. If successful, the research will enable the large scale production of new virosome-based vaccines with increased stability, longer shelf life and less invasive administration methods.
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- Health Care
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Experts: South Africa should invest in public toilets to combat sexual assault
Investing in public toilets could reduce the number of sexual assaults in South African townships by almost a third and lower the economic cost of the crime on society, public health experts said on Wednesday.
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- Health Care
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Warby Parker gets its unicorn horn
Add hip eyewear startup Warby Parker to Fortune’s Unicorn List: the company has raised a new funding round of $100 million that pushes its valuation over the $1 billion mark.
- Categories
- Health Care
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The Healthy State of Medical Tourism in Sub-Saharan Africa
Well-known as a destination for experiencing some of the world’s most breathtaking natural assets, the Sub-Saharan African region is making progress in staking a larger claim to the multibillion dollar medical tourism industry and is the fastest growing region for wellness tourism.
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- Health Care
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Tags
- employment
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Kenyan women make a healthy profit selling aloe to cosmetics firm
Women herders in Kenya's semi-arid Laikipia County have broken with tradition to export the leaves of a desert plant to Europe, boosting their incomes.Three hundred women in El Poloi have switched from the age-old occupation of goat-keeping to the new and far more lucrative activity of farming aloe, a plant with healing properties.Along the way, they are transforming their economic status and creating educational opportunities for their daughters.
- Categories
- Agriculture
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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In Nepal and Beyond, This Corporate Funder Takes on the World’s Biggest Disasters
The UPS Foundation is keenly aware of the unique assets of its parent company, and has carved out an exceptional—and indispensable role—in the realm of disaster philanthropy.
- Categories
- Impact Assessment
- Region
- South Asia
- Tags
- philanthropy
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How The Internet of Everything Is Helping ‘Unbanked’ Citizens Around the World
In the future, if every device is connected to the Internet, what kind of life will those who are financially excluded have?
- Categories
- Technology
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