Author Archives: cvannorman

Newberg: How Real is the Impact Economy?

Posted on April 24, 2012 by cvannorman

Mark Newberg is a one-man balancing act who has taken on three positions with a common thread: impact. Previously, he was the Senior Policy Advisor to the Office of US Small Business Administration. Now, he dons three different roles while … Continue reading →

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Investors can rid the world of slums

Posted on April 13, 2012 by cvannorman

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (MarketWatch) — Approximately 180,000 people are added to the urban grid each day, according to the United Nations. That means, according to other estimates, that nearly 100,000 housing units are needed — every day, all around the … Continue reading →

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Best Practices in Impact Investing: are we there yet?

Posted on April 10, 2012 by cvannorman

This afternoon I sat through a discussion/brainstorming session on best practices in Impact Investing hosted by the Case center at the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University. The style of the session was interactive, with over 80 industry insiders … Continue reading →

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Uganda: In Need of Cash

Posted on April 9, 2012 by cvannorman

Conditions imposed on borrowers continue to prevent a large number of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to access finance despite increased lending to the sector. The National Bank of Rwanda, which regulates the financial sector, indicates that credit from banks … Continue reading →

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Govt ready to support SMEs: Pervaiz Elahi

Posted on April 5, 2012 by cvannorman

LAHORE: Senior Federal Minister Industries and Defence Production Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi on Monday said the government would extend its all out support to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) for economic prosperity in the country. Presiding over a meeting to review … Continue reading →

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SMEs program aims P13.5-M loan aid in Eastern Visayas

Posted on April 3, 2012 by cvannorman

PALO, Leyte — A program designed to upgrade the technology application of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) is eyeing to pour out a minimum of P13.5-million loan assistance in Eastern Visayas this year. Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Regional … Continue reading →

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Small firms to drive loan growth

Posted on April 2, 2012 by cvannorman

STANDARD Bank expects growth of at least 7% in loans to small and medium companies this year, lifted by strong demand for “unsecured lending” to small enterprises. Zweli Manyathi, Standard Bank’s director of mid-corporate and business banking, said yesterday just … Continue reading →

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Entrepreneurs will be first movers in impact investing

Posted on March 22, 2012 by cvannorman

Mumbai: Silicon Valley entrepreneur-turned-impact-investor Charly Kleissner talks about impact investing, and the role it can play in effective philanthropy in India. Edited excerpts: What is impact investing? Impact investors care about one thing and one thing only at the top … Continue reading →

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MSMEs seek support for survival in Budget: FISME

Posted on March 8, 2012 by cvannorman

Indian Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) have urged the government to provide access to adequate credit, which is imperative for survival and growth of SME manufacturing. The Federation of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (FISME) in its budget recommendation … Continue reading →

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Low loan interest rates still unavailable for small, medium enterprises

Posted on March 6, 2012 by cvannorman

Soon after Tet New Year holidays, even though several banks announced a decrease in loan interest rates from 15-17 per cent per annum, many enterprises were unable to access loans from banks at that rate. Companies cannot avail low interest … Continue reading →

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