VBSP's operating model should be learned and replicated by others countries

(VBSP News) As a part of the International Workshop on "Pro-Poor Rural and Agricultural Finance Best Practices: Experiences of Vietnam", recently, the senior delegation of Asia-Pacific Rural Agricultural Credit Association (APRACA) led by Dr. Prasun Kumar Das - Secretary General had a field visit to learn about VBSP's activities. The delegation gave positive evaluations about the operation model of VBSP.

The delegation looked through information about policy credit programs of VBSP transaction point in Vinh Ngoc commune, Dong Anh district

Here, the delegation of APRACA explored the operation model of the Commune Transaction Point, the entrustment of loans through mass organizations and the activities of the Savings and Credit Group as well as learn about VBSP's method of transferring and managing loans.

Ms. Gouri Krishna - General Director of Basix consulting organization (India), a member of the delegation said that making transactions at Commune Transaction Points through local authorities, mass organizations and Savings and Loan Groups is a unique feature of VBSP, which is well worth for APRACA members and countries with high rate of poor households to get experiences from. In addition, the publicity of credit programs, outstanding loans of each household, interest rates of various programs etc., shows transparency and democracy of credit policy in Vietnam.

Ms. Gouri Krishna also highly appreciated the management model of the VBSP system. “This is a unique management model of VBSP system and Vietnam, in line with current context, creating most favorable conditions for beneficiaries in borrowing, repaying and getting policy credit information timely, reducing costs, travel time when transacting with VBSP, creating trust for the people", Gouri Krishna exchange.

The delegation of APRACA visited a model of using loans to develop orchards and raise chickens

Visiting households with typical poverty reduction models, Dr. Prasun Kumar Dasm - Secretary General of APRACA said that VBSP lending to poor households and other policy beneficiaries is very effective. Such loans and economic development models are worth learning and expanding. VBSP’s experience in management, channeling loans is a lesson for many countries in the world to learn. Dr. Prasun Kumar Das also affirmed that the credit policy programs that VBSP is implementing are credit channels that help the poor and other policy beneficiaries to improve their lives, escape from poverty and improve their qualifications. Thanks to loans from VBSP, the status of the poor in Vietnam has been improved.

Mr. Prasun Kumar Das, PhD - Secretary General of APRACA affirms the role of VBSP in poverty alleviation and efforts of the Government of Vietnam's overall Poverty Reduction Program

At the workshop “Pro-Poor Rural and Agricultural Finance Best Practices: Experiences of Vietnam” which was co-hosted by VBSP, APRACA, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Mr. Prasun Kumar Das, Secretary General of APRACA, said that with 6.7 million regular savings depositors, VBSP is currently the organization capable of mobilizing savings most effectively among key providers of microfinance services with 70% market share. This is due to the bank's unique customer approach. VBSP has created an effective credit and debt collection system that reduces transaction costs for customers and the bank itself, while achieving impressive coverage to commune level.

"It must be stated that the role of VBSP in poverty alleviation is significant, but also efforts of the overall poverty reduction program of the Government of Vietnam. The Government of Vietnam has consistently pursued this program, which is also the main reason for one of the region's fastest poverty alleviation achievements" APRACA's Secretary General said.

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