scholarly journals Everyday experiences of digital financial inclusion in India's ‘micro-entrepreneur’ paratransit services

2021 ◽  
pp. 0308518X2110263
Author(s):  
Lucy Baker
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Global Economy ◽  
Poverty Reduction ◽  
Credit Scoring ◽  
Financial Inclusion ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Profit Margins ◽  
Informal Practices ◽  
Everyday Experiences

Self-employed labour in transportation is a notoriously precarious form of employment that occurs throughout many developing countries. In order to offset high-cost and insecure vehicle procurement arrangements, paratransit fare structures are formulated on the basis of a set of logics designed to maximise revenues. Although entrepreneurial, when these logics occur in conflict with public fare legislation, they are undertaken illegally, or informally, and are perceived as undesirable by policy makers and transport users. However, the underlying structures that necessitate these practices are seldom examined despite their significant effect on mobilities and the livelihood experiences of male entrepreneurs. This paper engages with critical literatures on the financialisation of poverty reduction to present financialisation as a class-based mechanism that, with the rapid increase of digital payment and ‘alternative’ credit scoring, structures micro-entrepreneurship and precarity in the neoliberal context of India. The paper argues that digitally enhanced financial inclusion techniques may steer low-income workers toward mainstream finance institutions modelled on the global economy. They enable profit to be generated by investors and private microfinance companies. However, new financial technologies do not do little to reduce the risk and expense of microfinance, nor do they increase micro-entrepreneurs' profit margins. Moreover, they threaten the informal practices entrepreneurs use to self-manage their financial precarity.

Determinants of Successful Financial Inclusion in Low-Income Rural Population

2020 ◽  
Vol 68 (1) ◽  
pp. 82-100
Author(s):  
Yashwant Kumar Vaid ◽  
Vikram Singh ◽  
Monika Sethi
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Rural Population ◽  
Geographical Area ◽  
Developing Nations ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Financial Inclusion ◽  
Main Concern ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Developing Nation ◽  
Financial Products

Finance plays a key role in the growth of developed as well as developing nations. A financially well included society leads to stronger growth. Financial inclusion aims at providing easy and affordable access to financial products and services. The main concern for any developing nation from a growth point of view is advancement of low-income rural population just as much as the high-income population. Taking a note of this, identifying the key determinants that would lead to successful financial inclusion of low-income rural population is equally, if not more, important. The inclusion strategies have to be built around these determinants to promote inclusion and thus, a clear picture of these determinants is a must have for strategy and policy makers. Though the factors may be somewhat similar across the nation, but their significance and impact on financial inclusion varies greatly from one geographical area to other. In line with this, the purpose of this study is to identify the dimensions of successful financial inclusion in the low-income rural segments with special reference to Raipur, Chhattisgarh. The study uses factor analysis to identify the determinants and path analysis to analyse the significance of these factors in financial inclusion.

scholarly journals Financial Inclusion in Developing Countries: Applying Financial Technology as a Panacea

2021 ◽  
pp. 42-60
Author(s):  
Araniyar Isukul ◽  
Ben Tantua
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Financial Development ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Financial Inclusion ◽  
Viable Option ◽  
Policy Objective ◽  
Banking Business ◽  
Financial Technology

Traditional banking methods of addressing the problem of financial inclusion in developing countries is not working efficiently. As it is becoming obvious, opening operational and functional banking business offices in many developing countries is not a financially viable option. Banking offices need enormous amounts of resources, equipment and personnel to run efficiently. In most developing countries were low income is the norm rather than the exception, it is not possible to sustain a policy objective that employs the use of banking business offices to address the problem of financial inclusion. Such initiative could start out well, however the possibility of sustainability is called into question. Thus, whatever meaningful gains have been garnered from such policy will be reversed or lost overtime. This research employs the use of quantitative methods and it sets out to test whether the usage of financial technology has had any meaningful impact in improving financial inclusion in the developing countries selected in the study. The findings of the research reveal that financial technology offers the instrument, tools and mechanism for drive financial inclusion in ways traditional methods of banking cannot. Financial technology offers, cost effective and cheaper means of driving financial development. This research suggests that financial technology should be used as a means of driving financial development in developing countries as it offers a more sustainable and cost-effective solution to the problem of financial inclusion. Developing countries, should embrace, adopt and adapt financial technologies to address their financial development issues.

IMPACTS OF FINANCIAL INCLUSION ON POVERTY AND INCOME INEQUALITY IN DEVELOPING ASIA

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-17
Author(s):  
WARATTAYA CHINNAKUM
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Income Inequality ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Trade Openness ◽  
Generalized Method Of Moments ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Financial Inclusion ◽  
Poor Households ◽  
Low Income Groups

This study investigates the impacts of financial inclusion on poverty and income inequality in 27 developing countries in Asia during 2004–2019 based on a composite financial inclusion index (FII) constructed using principal component analysis (PCA). The generalized method of moments (GMM) was employed for the estimation. The results show that financial inclusion can influence the reduction in both poverty and income inequality. The empirical findings also reveal the contribution of such control variables as economic growth in decreasing income disparity and trade openness in helping improve the standard of living of poor households despite its tendency to co-vary with income inequality. The present empirical evidence supporting the role of financial inclusion in reducing poverty and income inequality in developing countries has led to a policy implication that financial sector development should focus on the availability, usage, and depth of credit to cover all poor households or low-income groups to help improve their access to financial services, enable them to increase their income, and reduce the income gap between poor and rich households.

FINANCIAL INCLUSION THROUGH MICRO FINANCE

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
P. Nagarajan
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Banking Sector ◽  
Financial Inclusion ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Poor People ◽  
Resource Base ◽  
Income Groups ◽  
Low Income Groups

Finance has become an essential part of an economy for development of the society as well as economy of nation. World leaders are embracing nancial inclusion at an accelerating pace, because they know that an inclusive nancial system that responsibly reaches all citizens is an important ingredient for social and economic progress for emerging markets and developing countries. Despite the political tailwind, half of the working-age adults globally – 2.5 billion people – remain excluded from formal nancial services. Instead, they have to rely on the age-old informal mechanisms of the moneylender or pawnbroker for credit or the rotating savings club and vulnerable livestock for savings. The pandemic has had a momentous impact on economies and societies around the world. At the same time, it has shown that, with the right approach, it is possible to protect and safeguard the economy. . Through Financial inclusion we can achieve equitable and inclusive growth of the nation. Financial inclusion stands for delivery of appropriate nancial services at an affordable cost, on timely basis to vulnerable groups such as low income groups and weaker section who lack access to even the most basic banking services. It helps in economic development as it widens the resource base of the nancial system by developing a culture of savings among large segment of rural population. Further, nancial inclusion protects their nancial wealth and other resources in exigent circumstances by bringing low income groups within the perimeter of formal banking sector. Financial inclusion engages in including poor people in the formal banking industry with the intention of securing their minimal nances for future purposes. Micronance has become a medium of extending nancial services to unbanked sections of population. Micronance is banking the unbankables, bringing credit, savings and other essential nancial services within the reach of millions of people who are too poor to be served by regular banks, in most cases because they are unable to offer sufcient collateral. In a country like India with almost 30% (more than 360 million) people still below poverty line and according to latest census gures, more than 70% or 840 million people living in rural areas with little or no access to formal banking and other nancial services, micronance has a big role to play in order to bridge this gap. The Micro Finance Institutions occupies key position in nancial inclusion through micro nance where the exclusion. In developing countries, the growth of micronance institutions (MFIs) which specically target low income individuals are viewed as potentially useful for promotion of nancial inclusion. Even though MFIs at present, mainly offer only credit products; as they grow, they are likely to expand their product range to include other nancial services.

2017 Handbook of IMF Facilities for Low-Income Countries

Policy Papers ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Poverty Reduction ◽  
Safety Net ◽  
Policy Coordination ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Executive Board ◽  
Reference Tool ◽  
Financial Safety Net ◽  
Comprehensive Reference

This Handbook provides guidance to staff on the financial facilities and non-financial instruments for low-income countries (LICs), defined here as all countries eligible to obtain concessional financing from the Fund. It updates the previous version of the Handbook that was published in February 2016 (IMF, 2016d) by incorporating modifications resulting from Board papers and related decisions since that time, including Financing for Development—Enhancing the Financial Safety Net for Developing Countries—Further Considerations (IMF, 2016c), Review of Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust – Review of Interest Rate Structure (IMF, 2016b), Eligibility to Use the Fund’s Facilities for Concessional Financing (IMF, 2017a), Large Natural Disasters—Enhancing the Financial Safety Net for Developing Countries (IMF, 2017b) and Adequacy of the Global Financial Safety Net – Proposal for a New Policy Coordination Instrument (IMF, 2017c). Designed as a comprehensive reference tool for program work on LICs, the Handbook also refers, in summary form, to a range of relevant policies that apply more generally to IMF members. As with all guidance notes, the relevant IMF Executive Board decisions, including the terms of the various LIC Trust Instruments that have been adopted by the Board, remain the sole legal authority on the matters covered in the Handbook

scholarly journals Making Business Work for Development: Issues for Small to Medium Enterprises

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Paul Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
Poverty Alleviation ◽  
Global Economy ◽  
Poverty Reduction ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Global Market ◽  
The Poor ◽  
The Rich ◽  
Medium Enterprises

<p>This thesis examines the question of whether business can be made to work for development. Can the standards that are used to measure development projects be applied to the outcomes of business ventures in developing countries? Proponents of neoliberal economic globalisation claim that economic growth is, by definition, good for the poor, and that the opening of global markets gives unprecedented opportunities for poverty reduction. 'Aid for Trade' is now a significant proportion of ODA funding. This is aid that is directed at assisting developing countries to be able to enter the global market. The claim is that the removal of trade barriers and the facilitation of smooth trade processes will be the key to achieving the MDG targets for poverty alleviation. Literature however suggests that such claims are much exaggerated, and that the global market does not automatically work to benefit the poor. Even where good rates of growth are achieved in a country, the poor are left behind, with widening income gaps between the rich and poor. This thesis examines these issues before investigating the concept of 'pro-poor business'. Economic growth can be structured to have positive benefits for the poor. It does not happen automatically, but it can be intentionally built into economic growth structures. There are some basic and fairly simple steps which all business could adopt to assist in poverty alleviation. Beyond this there are business ventures that are proactive in targeting the needs of poor communities. The thesis looks at case studies of six businesses started by expatriate entrepreneurs in six Asian countries. The businesses are investigated by a qualitative study that uses an emailed questionnaire followed up by further email and phone discussions. The businesses have been chosen to illustrate the possibilities over a range of types and sizes of business, and the degree to which they are intentional in targeting specific poverty issues. The businesses are asked questions both about their business structures and also about the extent to which they achieve development oriented goals. Issues faced by the businesses in this melding of business and development concerns are examined. The conclusion is that there are opportunities arising from globalisation that can be taken and shaped to enable the poor to become participants in the global economy.</p>

scholarly journals Financial Inclusion and Financial Literacy in Low Income Group in Emerging Economy

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 1001-1008
Author(s):  
Hina Affandi ◽  
Qaisar Ali Malik
Keyword(s):  
Financial Institutions ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Financial Literacy ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Financial Inclusion ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Street Vendors ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Financial Products ◽  
The Impact

Purpose: Financial institutions engage in performing imperative part in the economic development of an economy through circulation of funds that resulting in employment and fair distribution of limited resources. Financial literacy results in usage of financial product and services provided by financial institutions that lead to pervasive growth of an economy. Financial inclusion takes into loop the excluded segment of a developing country to attain the desired financial and economic outcomes. Recognizing the importance of financial inclusion, this study is executed to investigate the impact of financial literacy on financial inclusion in street vendors. Design/methodology/approach: This study was conducted in twin cities Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Snowball and purposive sampling technique has been used in this study. Primary data has been collected from street vendors through semi structure interviews and questionnaire. Participatory action research design is used in this study. Deductive approach has been used for qualitative data analysis. Findings: The results of this study found that street vendors only name financial institutions. They don’t have knowledge about financial products and services provided by those financial institutions. Because of inadequate knowledge, majority of the street vendors do not use financial products and services which are available to them. A very small number of street vendors are using financial products and services. The expected outcomes of this study set a direction for policy makers of financial institutions about how to increase financial inclusion by considering the observed relations in this study. Practical implications: The results will help policy makers in formulating effective strategies to bring into the net that excluded segment, which if included will not only improve their quality of life but also augment to the sustainability and growth of economy through financial inclusion. Originality/value: As suggested by the recent relevant literature, the study is an attempt to identify those antecedents of financial inclusion, which has not been explored earlier in context of Pakistan, to extend the earlier findings through qualitative research method and to establish how financial inclusion can be made a success in achieving its desired outcomes in a developing economy.

scholarly journals Pollution-Free Road Lighting

2001 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 364-364 ◽  
Author(s):  
Duco A. Schreuder
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Road Traffic ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Industrialized Countries ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Road Lighting ◽  
Technical Report

The beneficial effects of road lighting are often seen as very important. They relate to reducing road accidents and some forms of crime but also enhance the social safety of residents and pedestrians and the amenity for residents. Road traffic in developing countries is much more hazardous than in industrialized countries. Accident rates in ‘low’ income countries may be as much as 35 times higher than in ‘high’ income countries. Thus, it might be much more cost-effective to light roads in the developing world than in the industrialized world. Fighting light pollution is more pressing in developing countries as most of the major high-class astronomical observatories are there. Astronomical observations are disturbed by light from outdoor lighting installations, part of which is scattered in the atmosphere to form ‘sky glow’. The International Lighting Commission CIE has published a Technical Report giving general guidance for lighting designers and policy makers on the reduction of the sky glow.

Establishment of an Exogenous Shocks Facility Under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility Trust

Policy Papers ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 2005 (31) ◽  
Author(s):  
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Poverty Reduction ◽  
Foreign Assistance ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Limited Capacity ◽  
Exogenous Shocks ◽  
Policies And Measures ◽  
Market Insurance ◽  
Negative Impacts

At the recent Board discussion on strengthening the Fund's assistance to low-income countries dealing with sudden and exogenous shocks, most Directors supported the establishment of an Exogenous Shocks Facility within the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility Trust. In an earlier discussion, Directors noted that exogenous shocks could have significant negative impacts on developing countries' growth, macroeconomic stability, debt sustainability, and poverty, and that low-income countries are particularly vulnerable to shocks due to lack of diversification, limited capacity to build up reserves, and prohibitively expensive or unavailable market insurance. The international community can supplement national efforts for reducing vulnerability to shocks. Recent research shows that foreign assistance can be unusually effective in the aftermath of a shock. Such assistance needs to be available quickly, and it needs to be associated with sound adjustment policies and measures to reduce vulnerability to future shocks.

scholarly journals Child Labor in the Global Economy

2005 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 199-220 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric V Edmonds ◽  
Nina Pavcnik
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Child Labor ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Global Economy ◽  
Driving Forces ◽  
Policy Options

Few issues in developing countries draw as much popular attention as child labor. This paper begins by quantifying the extent and main characteristics of child labor. It then considers the evidence on a range of issues about child labor. Fundamentally, child labor is a symptom of poverty. Low income and poor institutions are driving forces behind the prevalence of child labor worldwide. This study concludes by assessing the policy options to reduce worldwide child labor.

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