Islamic Microfinance Research Study Initiated In Yemen

The following is taken from a press release from the AlHuda Centre of Islamic Banking and Economics.

AlHuda Center of Islamic banking and economics (CIBE) Initiated an Islamic Microfinance research study for Yemen Microfinance Network (YMN) in Yemen. This study will be conducted in the Yemen’s capital Sana’a including Taiz, Adan and Almoukla, so that Islamic Microfinance products can be examined broadly and further Islamic Microfinance products can be developed for Yemen Microfinance sector with the compatibility of existing structure. Ultimately, this extensive outreach will maximize the program’s poverty reduction efforts.

Najah Al-Mugahed Managing Director of Yemen Microfinance Network explained the association memorandum of research study that Microfinance market size in Yemen is more than one million but only 80,000 (eighty thousand) people are utilizing the services and products of Microfinance, which is approximately 8% of the potential Microfinance market size. The major factors preventing increased access to microfinance include the Non-existence of complete Islamic Microfinance range of products, Domination of Murabaha in Islamic Microfinance sector, increasing rate of Murabaha and percentage of interest in Microfinance are the obstacles in the expansion of Microfinance industry. An appropriate implementation plan would be prepared through this research study to strengthen the Yemen’s Microfinance sector.

Muhammad Saleh Al-Lai Chairman of Yemen Microfinance Network and Executive Director of Alamal Microfinance Bank proclaimed that Yemen’s Islamic Microfinance market is very promising and he is committed to making it stronger through this study so that Yemen will advance to the next level in Islamic Microfinance. He further mentioned that the Al-amal Microfinance Bank won the award of Islamic Microfinance Challenge in 2010 which was organized by Islamic Development Bank and CGAP (World Bank) which shows a clear understanding of our strong structure of Islamic Microfinance.

Muhammad Zubair Mughal Chief Executive Officer of Alhuda Center Islamic Banking and Economics (CIBE) said that our selection for the research study is a great honor for AlHuda CIBE. He mentioned that they have developed a strong research methodology for this study and used different research instruments including surveys, focus group discussion (FGDs), stake holder’s interviews, desk review of MFI’s and meetings with prestigious professionals of Microfinance industry to get primary & secondary information etc., which will help to design the ideal products for Yemen Islamic Microfinance sector.

He further mentioned that the share of Islamic Microfinance in Yemen’s Microfinance sector is approximately 90% and remaining 10% are also converting their portfolio into Islamic Microfinance, Yemen Microfinance Industry will be further strengthened with the development of new Islamic Microfinance products, It will increase the outreach of Microfinance sector and help out to eradicate poverty