Antananarivo, September 15, 2008 - The Première Agence de MicroFinance has expanded its operations in Madagascar to new districts with the opening of branches in Analavory and Bealanana.
The Première Agence de MicroFinance (PAMF) began its operations in the Sofia district of Madagascar in December 2006 and has expanded rapidly throughout the island. With the addition of its new branches, PAMF is now operational in nine districts: Antananarivo, Mahajanga, Antsohihy, Port Bergé, Mandritsara, Befandriana, Mampikony, and now, Analavory, in the Itasy region. PAMF also inaugurated a new rural outlet in Bealanana and strengthened its existing presence in Sofia.
Expanding outreach to rural areas is particularly important as the microfinance penetration rate is still very low in these regions. The population mainly subsist on agricultural production and are in need of credit for farm inputs. In Sofia, PAMF supports rice growers in collaboration with the Aga Khan Foundation and has helped contribute to an increase in rice production from 1.5 to 5 tons per hectare, considerably improving household incomes.
At the end of June 2008, PAMF had disbursed over USD 2 million to more than 10'000 clients. Before the end of 2008, PAMF will also open another office in the outskirts of the capital city, Antananarivo, where people do not have any access to financial services. This office will support the local population in developing micro- and small-enterprises in retail and production.
sourceIsmailiworld - Be Unite
ismailiworld@gmail.com
No comments:
Post a Comment