FDC Resources
A selection of these publications are available to purchase online. If you would like to order any of these publications, click on the secure online order form to purchase.
FDC Briefing Note
- The Resources Sector in Developing Countries: Strategies to Improve Community Livelihoods
Resource sector companies in developing countries operate
in a complex environment. They face a range of challenges
which require innovative solutions. One such challenge
is the need to help secure sustainable livelihoods for
communities in areas/regions in which they operate.
This FDC Briefing Note outlines current thinking in this
field. Resource sector companies should consider more
innovative strategies including investing further in local
economic development (LED) through forging multistakeholder
partnerships.
- ENERGY LENDING: Microfinance and access to modern, alternative energies (2007):
A lack of access to modern, alternative sources of energy in rural areas compromises the quality of life, health and economic opportunities of countless households in developing countries. While a vanguard of microfinance institutions is making loans available to increase access to alternative sources of energy such as solar, biogas, micro hydropower and LPG, obstacles remain in convincing potential partners and funders as to the economic and financial benefits of energy lending.
- E-BANKING WITH THE POOR:
Opportunities and implications for microfinance providers (2007):
Increasingly, microfinance practitioners see ICT innovation as a key strategy in taking the microfinance sector to the next level in terms of outreach and sustainability. We are already seeing innovations such as correspondent banking, card services and mobile phone banking. However, the roll-out of ICT-enabled microfinance is likely to change the business models and methodologies that have been core to the microfinance enterprise, and MFIs will need to respond accordingly.
Remittances
FDC recently completed three multi-country studies on ‘leveraging remittances with microfinance’. The three country studies were on Samoa, Indonesia and Timor Leste. With funding from the Australian Research Council, this project was undertaken in collaboration with the Asia Research Institute (Monash University) and the Institute for Regional Development (University of Tasmania).
To view the six-country reports on the policy and regulatory framework for remittances:
To view the three-country studies on ‘leveraging remittance with microfinance’.
Regional Cooperation
- South Pacific Futures: Oceania 2050 (2005):
is a must-have book for any serious student, policy maker or concerned citizen of the Pacific Islands. It is the first comprehensive survey of expert views of the region, as it approaches the uncertain prospects of the next half century.
- Forging new partnerships: Ecotech and the APEC process (1998):
Details re paper prepared for consultations prior to the APEC Ministerial meetings in Malaysia in 1998
- Building an Asia-Pacific community: Development cooperation within APEC (1996):
These essays by a distinguished group of APEC observers highlight the historical and institutional context for the emergence of economic and technical cooperation within APEC.
- South Pacific and Caribbean Island Economies
This report compares the economic performance of South Pacific states relative to Caribbean counterparts and makes recommendations for South Pacific states.
- Microfinance and Disaster Managment: (2007)
Volume 1: Trainer's Manual
Volume 2: Participant's Manual
- Beyond Economic Benefits: The contribution of microfinance to post-conflict recovery in Asia and the Pacific (2005): Review and discussion of microfinance in post-conflict situations, looking beyond economic benefits to conflict resolution, social and political reconciliation, reintegration and empowerment.
- Microfinance and HIV/AIDS (2004): Policies and strategies for MFIs working in communities impacted by HIV/AIDS.
- Microfinance and Disaster Management (2003): Policies and strategies for MFIs working in communities impacted by Natural Disasters.
- Fostering Financial Innovation for the Poor: The Policy and Regulatory Environment (2003): Innovations to enable specialist MFIs to reach poor households that do not have access to financial services.
- Five years on: the Microcredit Summit Campaign and the Development of Microfinance in Asia and the Pacific (2003): The myths and reality of the Microcredit Summit Campaign since 1997.
- The Relevance of Microbanking to APEC (2002)
- Challenges of Microfinancing in South-East Asia (2002)
- Microfinance in Malaysia: Time to Rebuild (2002)
- 'Microcredit', 'Microfinance' or simply 'Access to Financial Services': What do Pacific people need? (2001)
- The Role of Central Banks in Microfinance in Asia and the Pacific (vol 1) (2000):
Analytical overview of how central banks in developing countries can play a positive role in developing a microfinance sector within their financial systems.
- The Role of Central Banks in Microfinance in Asia and the Pacific (vol 2) (2000):
Studies of central banks and the microfinance sector in 12 ADB developing member countries, together with country-specific recommendations for a positive central bank role.
- The Role of Commercial Banks in Microfinance in the Asia-Pacific Region (2000): Explores the experience of commercial bank engagement in microfinance, as well as the roles of government and donor agencies in supporting microfinance development. The Microfinance Phenomenon (2000)
- ADB Interim Action Plan for Microfinance: Attitudes and Responses of Asian Practitioners (1999): Results of an informal survey conducted at the request of the Asian Development Bank.
- Microfinance in East Timor: Relief, Reconstruction and Development (1999)
- ASKI: Case Study of a Philippine Microfinance Institution (1998)
Study of Philippine microfinance institution, ASKI.
- The Role of Commercial Banks in Microfinance in the Asia-Pacific Region (1998): Explores the experience of commercial bank engagement in microfinance, as well as the roles of government and donor agencies in supporting microfinance development.
- Getting the Framework Right: Policy and Regulation for Microfinance in Asia (1998): How Asia-Pacific governments and external agencies can establish a policy and regulatory environment supportive of microfinance. Summary report and detailed country studies.
- Impact of Access to Credit on the Poor (1998): Research design and longitudinal study of the impact of Philippine microfinance institution ASKI's operations on the poor.
- Effects on Microfinance of the 1997-98 Asian Financial Crisis (1998):
Paper which gave 'early warning' in 1998 of the consequences of the crisis for microfinance institutions and their clients.
- KMBI: Case Study of a Philippine Microfinance Institution (1998): Study using narrative and analyltical methods to report on Philippine NGO, KMBI.
- Banking with the Poor (1998): Report and recommendations based on case studies prepared by leading Asian banks and NGOs.
- The Performance and Sustainability of Two Philippine Microfinance Institutions (1998): Report examining the operations of two Philippine NGOs from managerial and financial perspectives
- Second Tier Microfinance Institutions in Asia (1998):
This paper examines the value of second-tier institutions in providing loanable funds to MFIs.
- Resource Mobilisation for Microfinance in Fiji (1998)
- Policy and Regulation for Sustainable Microfinance: Country Experiences in Asia (1998):
This paper rates the performance of eight Asian governments in providing a supportive environment for microfinance.
- Microfinance in the Pacific Island countries (1997): Reviews microfinance in nine Pacific countries and detailed case studies of five major programs.
- Bank-NGO Linkages and Transaction Costs of Lending to the Poor through Groups (1996): Paper on FDC work in India and the Philippines on measuring the transaction costs of lending to the poor.
- Transaction Costs of Lending to the Poor (Philippines): (1996)
Analyses transaction costs incurred in microfinance programs of two Philippine NGOs and sets priorities for strategic assistance.
- Transaction Costs of Lending to the Rural Poor (India) (1995):
Report analysing transaction costs of commercial banks in South India lending to the poor.
- Bank-NGO Linkages and Transaction Costs of Lending to the Poor through Groups (1995):
Paper on FDC work in India and the Philippines on measuring the transaction costs of lending to the poor.
- How to Build Self-help Groups for Successful Banking with the Poor (1995): Two companion booklets which provide practical guidance for forming self-help groups in rural and urban settings.
- Access to Credit: Creating Income and Jobs for the World’s Poor (1993): Full-colour booklet introducing the ideas of banking with the poor to general readers.
- Bank-NGO Linkages and Transaction Costs of Lending to the Poor through Groups (1992): Paper on FDC work in India and the Philippines on measuring the transaction costs of lending to the poor.