The leading annual microfinance and microenterprise development event in Latin America and the Caribbean comes to the Caribbean for the first time in its history. Barbados will welcome participants to Bridgetown from 1-3 October for the XV Inter-American Microenterprise Forum (Foromic) 2012.

The Foromic is the most important marketplace and conference gathering yearly more than 1,200 delegates from financial and microfinance institutions, associations of micro entrepreneurs, government agencies, NGOs, international organizations and the academia working in the sector.

In 2011, about 1,300 professionals from over 40 countries gathered in San Jose, Costa Rica to exchange ideas and knowledge on best practices and strategies to promote entrepreneurship and economic activity in the microenterprise sector.

The event is organized by the Multilateral Investment Fund (FOMIN), a member of the Inter-American Development Bank Group, and the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs of Barbados.

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Additional Sessions on 31 September and 1 October:

>>> Landscape on Microinsurance in the Americas

The event will present and discuss the findings of the first regional study of microinsurance in Latin America and the Caribbean identifying status,  opportunities and demand of this emerging market in the region. The discussion will be moderated by Michael McCord.

>>> Microfinance as a Sustainable Platform for Integrated Development

More and more microfinance institutions in Latin America are beginning to offer value-added services to their clients as both a strategy to achieve their missions as well as to develop a competitive advantage in an increasingly competitive market. The goal of this practical and highly participatory event will be to gain insight into successful models and challenges for using microfinance as a delivery channel or platform for other complementary development services and access to basic services. We will hear from practitioners who are developing and operating innovative and sustainable programs to improve access to health services, offer health financing to their clients, connect their clients to water and sanitation services, and bring non-formal adult and youth education to their clients.