Shameran Abed, Director of Microfinance at BRAC, one of the largest social enterprise and micro-lending financial institution in the world, joins Kopi Time. We talk about five key issues with Shameran, who presents data and insights from being involved with over 7 million clients in the developing world, on matters ranging from credit, payment, investment, health, and education. First, the impact of the pandemic, including the spike in temporary and permanent unemployment, the risk of slipping back into poverty, and the disproportionate impact on women and children. Second, the innovative solutions offered to deal with the pandemic (deposit reimbursement through electronic means to the unbanked, loan moratorium, health advice through smartphones). Third, the transformational impact of fintech in financial inclusion (BRAC’s mobile money subsidiary BKash clears 7-8 million transactions a day). Fourth, the far-reaching benefits of early intervention in health and education for locals and refugees alike. Fifth, the outstanding challenges in the post-pandemic environment. Organisations like BRAC and Grameen have improved the lives of tens of millions of poor; their work is truly inspirational.   

<p>Shameran Abed, Director of Microfinance at BRAC, one of the largest social enterprise and&nbsp;micro-lending&nbsp;financial&nbsp;institution&nbsp;in the world, joins Kopi&nbsp;Time. We talk about five key issues with Shameran, who presents data and insights from being&nbsp;involved&nbsp;with over 7 million clients in the developing world, on matters ranging from credit, payment, investment, health, and education.&nbsp;First, the impact of the pandemic, including the spike in&nbsp;temporary and permanent&nbsp;unemployment, the risk of&nbsp;slipping back into poverty, and the&nbsp;disproportionate impact on women and children. Second, the innovative solutions offered to deal with the pandemic (deposit&nbsp;reimbursement through&nbsp;electronic means to the unbanked, loan&nbsp;moratorium, health advice through smartphones). Third, the transformational impact of&nbsp;fintech in&nbsp;financial inclusion (BRAC&rsquo;s&nbsp;mobile money&nbsp;subsidiary BKash clears 7-8&nbsp;million transactions a day).&nbsp;Fourth, the far-reaching benefits of early intervention in health and&nbsp;education for&nbsp;locals and&nbsp;refugees alike. Fifth, the outstanding challenges in the&nbsp;post-pandemic&nbsp;environment. Organisations like BRAC and Grameen have improved the lives of tens of millions of&nbsp;poor; their work is truly&nbsp;inspirational. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

Kopi time is a podcast series on insights from markets and economies around the world, hosted by Taimur Baig, Ph.D., Chief Economist of DBS Bank Ltd.

<p>Kopi time is a podcast series on insights from markets and economies around the world, hosted by Taimur Baig, Ph.D., Chief Economist of DBS Bank Ltd.</p>

Kopi Time podcast with Taimur Baig

DBS Economics & Strategy

Kopi Time E042: BRAC’s Shameran Abed on microfinance to tackle Covid’s myriad challenges

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/f6ad7490-363d-4f1f-8948-abf300412a6f/clips/c692e98c-91b3-4d01-aaf2-acbd00703b07/transcript

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