Today the Microfinance Mela 2009 was inaugurated at Faisalabad with great zeal. The exhibition witnessed participation from around more than 12 prominent Microfinance Banks and was inaugurated by Commissioner Faisalabad division, Captain Rtd Wahid Saeed whilst the Chief Guest of the event was District Nazim, Rana Zahid Tauseef. Amongst other dignitaries, VIP guests present at the occasion included Salahud din Chief Manager SBP, Amina Hasan - Regional Business Manager KBL and Tariq Anwar - Business Head Punjab Tameer Bank.

The purpose of this annual Microfinance Mela is to promote the micro-finance sector in various areas of Pakistan as well as small cities and rural areas. The participating MFIs also included industry leaders like Khushhali Bank Limited, SMEDA, Tameer Bank and KASHF Bank. This year’s exhibition was one of its kinds with each participating organization having a dedicated stall and an information desk, set up to facilitate onlookers and help everyone and anyone present at the event in need of assistance.

All stalls served as an example of the heights one can reach with the help of micro finance loans. It was an illustration of how far a small loan can go, when used wisely by a hard working person, irrespective of his/her educational background. The representatives at the information desk played a major role in disseminating pertinent information on micro-finance and showed a keen interest in addressing all the questions posed by the inquisitive visitors.

The exhibition was followed by a seminar, the guest speaker for which was Sheraz Aslam, Member Board of Director Human Resource Development Network (HRDN). Sheraz Aslam while commenting on the progress of the micro-finance sector said “Micro-finance Institutions have finally gained momentum and what I have witnessed today has been nothing less than inspiring. It has been a source of pleasure to see the success of these micro- entrepreneurs, as in their success I see your success as Microfinance Institutions and of course in your success lies the future of Pakistan. It is a matter of great pride to see so many MFIs participating wholeheartedly in furthering the cause of poverty alleviation and help raise the Avg income of Pakistan via increased economic activity”.

The Mela culminated with a speech by the Chief Guest, District Nazim, Rana Zahid Tauseef who expressed his appreciation said “I would like to thank the organizers of today’s Mela and extend my heart felt gratitude to all the participating Banks for their efforts in creating awareness on micro-financing”. He further added “Faisalabad is one of the most important business cities of Pakistan where the micro-finance sector can play a vital role in promoting the rural class of our society and today’s endeavors has brought us closer to the realization of this city’s true potential”.

About Khushhali Bank Limited: Khushhali Bank Limited (KBL) is rated as Pakistan’s largest and fastest growing retail microfinance bank operating under the Central Bank regulations. Established in 2000, the Bank is funded by leading international financial institutions as a partnership between public, multinational and private sector commercial financial institutions. KBL’s mission is to market financial services tailored for the low income segment in line with international microfinance practices through an extended network operating across the country’s rural and urban divides.