This paper marshals substantial arguments and data to support the contention that improving the access of micro and small enterprises to financial services could have an important salutary impact on a country's income distribution. To demonstrate this, the paper shows first that many poor own or...

The objective of this report is to assess the full and effective implementation of the Bank's support to Haiti in the wake of the 2010 earthquake, in fulfillment of the mandates of IDB-9, which included full debt forgiveness, delivery of concessional resources in 2010, and expansion of the...

This paper seeks to provide an overview of the current situation in rural financial markets in the region since the onset of widespread financial liberalization earlier in the decade. It also presents a conceptual framework that explains why these markets do not work well and, in particular, why...

En la presente edición de Microempresa se examina el uso del arrendamiento financiero en las microfinanzas, un instrumento aún inexplorado en América Latina y el Caribe. También se analiza el uso de las concentraciones empresariales, aglomeraciones o clusters, para la mejora de la...

This issue of MicroEnterprise Americas presents examples of successful inclusion of microenterprises in value chains. The articles highlight how strategies to promote and organize joint actions among smaller producers have been implemented, so that these producers can compete on the level of...

This paper marshals substantial arguments and data to support the contention that improving the access of micro and small enterprises to financial services could have an important salutary impact on a country's income distribution. To demonstrate this, the paper shows first that many poor own or...

The purpose of this document is to inform Bank staff and other interested parties about recent developments in integration and trade among the countries of the Western Hemisphere and between these and other countries and world regions.

This issue of MicroEnterprise Americas explores the various issues and challenges of extending economic opportunities to all. The Special Section of the magazine focuses on access to markets, which most microenterprises characterize as the single most important challenge they face after access...