NEW DELHI: The micro finance establishments (MFIs) trade in India has witnessed a skyrocketing development of greater than 2,176 per cent in the past 12 years, with its enterprise hovering from Rs 17,264 crore in March 2012 to Rs 3.93 lakh crore as of November 2024.
This was highlighted throughout a gathering chaired by M Nagaraju, secretary of the division of monetary companies (DFS), ministry of finance, in the nationwide capital.
Alongside senior officers from DFS, representatives from key trade our bodies, together with MFIN and Sa-Dhan, additionally attended the assembly. The discussions centred on strengthening the MFI sector to higher serve low-income households in rural areas, offering them with simpler entry to monetary help.
At current, MFIs function throughout 723 districts, together with 111 aspirational districts, masking 28 states and eight Union Territories. They cater to the monetary wants of almost 8 crore debtors, contributing 2.03 per cent to the gross worth added (GVA) to India’s GDP and supporting 1.3 crore jobs.
Challenges for the sector
The assembly additionally threw mild to a number of challenges confronted by the sector. MFIs highlighted difficulties in elevating low-cost, long-term funds and reported that portfolio high quality has been affected by lowered lending to the sector.
The MFIs proposed initiatives resembling credit score assure schemes tailor-made for MFIs and debtors, the creation of particular funds for operations in the North-East, and relaxed qualifying asset norms to diversify lending dangers.
In response, the DFS secretary urged the establishments to develop a roadmap to strengthen the sector and guarantee its long-term viability. He additional emphasised the necessity for a vibrant and financially sound MFI ecosystem able to successfully addressing the wants of rural communities.
The secretary additionally inspired MFIs to undertake digital compensation strategies whereas prioritising cybersecurity and resilient IT infrastructure, together with improved governance requirements to reinforce sectoral credibility.
Acknowledging the numerous contributions of MFIs, Nagaraju appreciated their position in advancing monetary inclusion and uplifting rural lives. He additionally hailed DFS’s efforts in supporting the sector and guaranteeing its development.
