OREANDA-NEWS. November 23, 2009. Sergey Krjukov, Chairman of the Board of RBD took part in VIII National Conference “The Role of Microfinance in Overcoming the Financial and Economic Crisis”, reported the press-centre of RBD.

In his report the Head of RBD told about SME lending support through the micro-finance procedures implemented under the RBD’s Program. According to Mr.Krjukov “the topicality of support to SME infrastructure entities including micro-finance organizations is proved by the RBD’s loan portfolio growth in this area – since the beginning of 2009 the volumes of lending to the infrastructure entities have totaled RUR 1.2 billion”. S. Krjukov presented to the conference participants a scheme of interaction of RBD with the micro-finance organizations and the regional funds.

Among other directions of the microfinance growth the Head of RBD accentuated on the urgency of the legislative development in the area of micro-financing and drawing up general standards for micro-financing. According to Mr.Krjukov the priority tasks shall be growing transparency of MFO, accessibility of the borrowed capital for MFO, and improving awareness of SMEs of the existing support in the micro-finance area at the regional level.

Moreover the Russian Bank for Development was a co-organizer of a round table “The Program for Micro-Finance Development as a Part of the SME Public Policy: New Approach – New Accomplishments” that was held within the framework of the conference. The round table was attended by Olesya Teplouhova, Director of SME Lending Department of RBD.