SLBDC Enhances Training and Consulting Infrastructure for Micro Finance Practitioners

SLBDC took several initiatives to enhance the training and consultancy infrastructure for micro finance practitioners recently with the support of the promotion of micro finance sector program of German Technical Cooperation (GTZ). A team of SLBDC resource persons participated in a training of trainers programme (TOT) on CGAP training modules of skills for microfinance managers which was facilitated by EDA Rural System India. The CGAP Skills for Microfinance Managers Training Program curriculum offers short practical courses to managers of microfinance institutions to give them the skills and tools to improve the quality of their institution's services, financial performance and outreach to poor clients. The program was designed to promote markets for training and to respond to the need for skills-based, internationally recognized courses on best practices in microfinance. The three SLBDC resource persons also visited microfinance operations in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Pondicherry states in India. They got the opportunity to see different strategies adopted by different organizations and the impact of those strategies on their organizations and their target group as well. SLBDC is in a leading position to cater to micro finance practitioners in terms of training and consultancy through customized products aiming to develop the strategic planning, efficient operations, new attractive product development, setting interest rate, improved risk management, customer service and effective management of their human resources. SLBDC has the capacity to provide these services in English, Sinhala and Tamil.