Message-ID: <3.0.5.32.19990827125000.0085b220@pop.synapse.net> Date: Fri, 27 Aug 1999 12:50:00 -0400 From: Jean-Claude Lorin <mailto:jlorin@SYNAPSE.NET> Subject: ENTERWeb News #13 To: mailto:DEVEL-L@AMERICAN.EDU
Are you looking for QUALITY sources of information on small business, finance, international trade, entrepreneurship, enterprise development and the economy?****************************************************************************
ENTERWeb News #13 June / July 1999 < http://www.enterweb.org/>
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You will find hereunder the titles ( and short descriptions ) of the new sites which have been added to ENTERWeb during the months of June and July 1999. If you are interested in accessing any of those sites just go to ENTERWeb main page < http://www.enterweb.org/> and press on the "What's new" button which will direct you to the appropriate sections.
*************************************************************************** 1) IDB's Strategy for Microenterprise Development
In addition to its strategy for SME development, the Bank has issued a separate strategy for microenterprise development. A key element of the strategy is the use of Bank resources to catalyze the infusion of private investment in microenterprise development by linking NGO and commercial investors and promoting the formalization of microenterprises.
2) CIDA's Draft Policy for Private Sector Development
The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) is presently carrying a public consultation on CIDA's Draft Policy for Private Sector Development in Developing Countries. The Policy offers guidance for program decision-making with respect to the private sector in developing countries, given CIDA's poverty reduction mandate. The draft policy paper is available in html and pdf format. A very nice effort for transparency and participation although the time and scope for consultation is rather limited
3) IDB's Rural Financial Strategy
This is a strategy profile currently under preparation within the Inter-American Development Bank. It addresses the main issues affecting the development of rural financial markets in developing economies and how the IDB can best promote and support positive market-based reforms in this area. The strategy focuses on how to improve access to three specific financial services: credit, deposits, and insurance. The primary but not exclusive target group will be small scale agricultural producers and business operators. Very important and interesting reading. As usual IDB is at the forefront of developmental thinking.
4) Micro Credit Summit (Updated)
The official homepage of the microcredit summit which took place in Washington February 2-4, 1997. Includes the full summit document. The Summit's purpose statement has been expanded and now recognizes the importance of savings, other financial services, and business services for very poor entrpreneurs.The site has been quite improved lately particularly with regards to content and now includes the working documents which are going to be discussed at the next Meeting of Councils in Abidjan in June 1999.
5) OSU Rural Finance Program (Updated)
The Ohio State University Rural Finance Program is recognized as a world leader in the analysis of rural financial markets and microfinance in general and their new website is more than a welcome addition in this field. Its provides information on the Devfinance discussion group (definitely the best one of its kind on rural financial issues) and some working papers. The site has quite improved lately mostly in terms of presentation and navigation but also with regards to range of information available
6) Special Unit for Microfinance (Updated)
The Special Unit for Microfinance is a collaboration between the United Nations Development Programme and the United Nations Capital Development Fund to enhance the private sector in developing countries and create mechanisms for the provision of credit to the poor. The main value of the site is the MicroStart Guide which offers a concrete methodology and ready-to-use tools for establishing a microfinance project.The site has quite improved lately with much more information provided. Do not miss the section on reports
7) Global Business Web
Set up by Link Interactive, a developer of corporate and community web sites, Global Business Web is a comprehensive online trade resource to assist organizations in doing business internationally. Provides links to information resources, articles, discussions, and services from every corner of the world. Neatly done, and easy to navigate.
8) All Business Network
Developed by the MarkeTech Group, a web developer company, ABN is more than just a meta-index on Internet Business ressources. It provides connections to key sites but also direct information and business advice. Although I am not usually a fan of drop-down menus, I found ABN quite easy to use and very wide in its subject coverage.
9) Scout Report for Business & Economics
Part of the Internet Scout Project, University of Wisconsin-Madison, the Scout Report in Business & Economics is a weekly publication offering a selection of new and newly discovered Internet resources of interest. Although originally targeting university professors, students and librarians, it should be interesting to anyone looking for up-to-date information in this area. A truly excellent site.
10) CARDO International Conference
Organized by the Centre for Architectural Research and Development Overseas (CARDO) at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, this conference will focus on "the role of home-based enterprises". Proposed topics include amongst others the symbiosis between housing and employment and the economic contribution of home-based enterprises at personal, household, neighbourhood, city and national level . Do not forget to visit the CARDO homepage and particularly their useful links section which lead to very interesting documents related to small enterprise development.
11) World XIth Productivity Congress
The Congress will bring together business leaders, industrialists, scholars, politicians, administrators and productivity experts from around the globe, to focus on new theories and best practices to improve business performance. It will cover innovations, process improvement and change management with a particular focus on information, communication and knowledge management and the global economy.
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If you have sites to suggest for review, please let me know. If you have comments or suggestions on the way ENTERWeb should evolve, don't hesitate to drop me a line, and finally don't forget to tell your colleagues and friends about ENTERWeb. The more feedback I receive the better it will be.
Happy browsing
Jean-Claude Lorin ENTERWeb Webmaster <mailto:mailto:jlorin@synapse.net> <http://www.enterweb.org>