the Argentinian Council of International Relations (CARI) and
Equilibrium Global organized a Seminar titled “Microfi nance
in India: experiences for Latin America”, on 4th October,
2018. In that event, Claudio González Vega -President of
BBVA Microfi nance Foundation Patronage- and the Indian
activist Chetna Gala Sinha delivered conferences. While the
fi rst one approached a general overview of microfi nance,
Mg. Gala Sinha presented “Mann Deshi Mahila Sahakari
Bank Ltd.” and its work with rural women in Maharashtra.
Mann Deshi, a bank run only by women, provides loans,
savings, pensions and insurance schemes to more than
25.000 entrepreneurs, each year. Besides, Mann Deshi work
is complemented by a foundation and a school of business
for women. This fi rst joint activity of the diff erent institutions
mentioned had an audience that fi lled the room where it was
made and it is expected to be able to replicate the approaches
of the subject on other occasions.
Conclusion
This document highlighted the relevance of microfi nance
activities and schemes in developing countries, as a tool for
social and economic empowerment for disadvantaged groups.
Thus, it is not possible to achieve poverty reduction if there
are no basic mechanisms available that enhance progress and
economic growth. In this sense, the results obtained by the
SHG-BLP are undeniable, jointly considered with the impulse
provided by the NRLM and the benefi ts that SHGs bring.
The experience that emerged in India is practicable in
Argentina, because the microfi nance sector is underdeveloped,
in comparison to other countries in the region. From the
exchange of actors and joint training experiences, valuable
contributions could emerge for our country. For this reason,
bilateral relations between Argentina and India should not
be reduced to commercial issues. This article shows that
the synergy in aspects with social impact in groups that
have historically been postponed for structural reasons is
absolutely relevant.
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* The author is Specialist in Economy and Business with
Pacifi c Asia and India (National University of Tres de Febrero).
Master (c) in International Relations (El Salvador University.
Lawyer specialized in International Law (University of Buenos
Aires). Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC)
programme trainee in 2018. Member of the Working Group on
India and South Asia and Youngsters Group of the Argentinian
Council of International Relations (CARI). Member of the
Group of Studies on India and Southeast Asia at the National
University of Rosario. Legal Advisor of the National Executive
Chief Offi ce at the National Institute of Agricultural Technology
(INTA). E-mail: [email protected]).