-
Xiaomi Launches Mobile Micro-Loan Service In China
Xiaomi is launching a new mobile service in China today called Xiaomi Mi Loan. As its name suggests, Xiaomi Mi Loan is an application designed to allow customers in China to apply for micro-credit directly from their smart devices. The application was announced earlier today via Xiaomi’s official MIUI page on China’s social media website Weibo. It is currently available for download on Android smartphones in China, but there’s currently no information on whether the app will also make its way to other platforms, though it’s unlikely to ever be launched outside of Xiaomi’s home country.
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- South Asia
-
Digital Payments Made Through UPI See Massive Jump in India
Digital payments through the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), the mobile-based national payment system, continue to surge even after the end of demonetisation-induced cash shortage, latest data from Reserve Bank of India shows.
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- South Asia
-
Cambodian MFIs Predict Lower Earnings in Response to Rate Cap
With the interest rate cap of 18 percent in full force for all new and restructured microfinance loans after the National Bank of Cambodia (NBC) issued a populist measure to curb high interest rates, microfinance institutions (MFIs) are starting to give predictions for lower profits this year as the new lending reality takes hold.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
- Region
- South Asia
-
Indonesia regulator expects fintech firms to double to 250 by year-end
Indonesia – the largest economy in the south east Asian region – is betting on the great big fintech opportunity riding on its demographics and unbanked population. Indonesia, which has already seen the emergence of 130 fintech companies, is expecting this number to double in a year with $3.6 billion worth of transactions on this model over the next one year, deputy director of OJK, the financial services regulator, Pak Tuahta Aloysius Saraguh, said in an interaction. Pak Aloysius has been instrumental in encouraging the Fintech industry in Indonesia.
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- South Asia
-
Healthcare sector needs innovative modes of funding: PwC report
To take healthcare expenditure to 2.5% of GDP by 2030 conventional modes of resource mobilisation must be aided by an innovative funding mechanism to improve healthcare investments in India, a Healthcare Federation of India (NATHEALTH)-PwC report has said.
- Categories
- Health Care
- Region
- South Asia
-
Viewpoint: Our economy, and global health, depend on ties to China
Greater Seattle is one of the most internationally connected regions in the United States. More than 40 percent of the jobs in our region are tied to international trade and commerce.
- Categories
- Health Care
- Region
- South Asia
-
Impact investor Acumen to launch India-dedicated fund
Global impact investor Acumen is planning to launch an India-dedicated fund, as the investor looks to double down on its most significant geography, said a senior executive of the firm.
- Categories
- Impact Assessment, Investing
- Region
- South Asia
-
Crisis Looms in Southern India’s Microfinance Sector
Trouble for the Rs 57,000-crore microfinance sector is brewing again with drought-hit Karnataka, the largest MFI market with about 14% share, emerging as the new stress point with non-payment of dues. There are repayment concerns also in some smaller pockets of Tamil Nadu, two persons familiar with the development said. As many as 20 NBFC-MFIs, including all the large ones, operate in Karnataka, which is otherwise a mature market for microfinance activity.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
- Region
- South Asia
Subscribe to Our 'Business in Global Development' Newsletter!
Our new weekly LinkedIn newsletter features NextBillion's latest original articles, along with curated news, jobs, bizdev opportunities and events from our recent coverage of impact-focused business in emerging markets.
We respect your privacy. Your information is safe and will never be shared.
Don't miss out. Subscribe today.