Khartoum 28th July, 2011 – In the framework of supporting microfinance sectors in Sudan and enhancing capacity building mechanisms of national and sub-national levels for value chain development in Sudan, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in collaboration with the Microfinance Unit (MFU) at the Central Bank of Sudan organized a five day workshop on July 24th on “Training on Inclusive Market Development with a Focus on Value Chains and Access to Finance.”

H.E. Minister of Agriculture Mr. Abdul-Halim Ismail Al-Mutaafi addressed the opening ceremony of the workshop which was held under the auspices of H.E. Vice President Ali Osman Taha.

Thirty microfinance executives attended the workshop representing the government, banks, microfinance institutions, the private sector, NGOs and Community Based Organizations. The workshop helped in building an understanding among participants of the Value Chain Development -as a prime pro poor poverty reduction approach and the importance of access to finance for the poor. The workshop also touched on the key mission of making markets inclusive through advancing concepts of value chain and reinforcing the importance of value chain for all sectors of Sudan’s economy.

In addition, the workshop provided an ideal opportunity for UNDP to exchange ideas with participants on regulations governing systematic private sector development and facilitating effective policy planning on inclusive market operations in the country.

Mr. Mohamed Ali Al-Haseen, Head of the Training and Capacity Building Unit at MFU attributed the success of the workshop to the large diversity of participants who represent different sectors and specializations resulting in fruitful, interactive discussions. Al-Haseen further called on the UNDP to help organize additional workshops in the future to promoting sound micro finance policies which are designed specially to Trainers in order to pass on the knowledge to a larger number of people.

Ms. Mahasen Ahmed Awad of the Sudan Animal Resources Bank described her participation in the training as similar to “Having attended a mini-MBA. The training has really succeeded in presenting concepts of management and value chain in a very simplistic and comprehensible manner that is also applicable to Sudan.” Mahasen further added that “My weaknesses in the field of value chain finance were overcome by the hands on techniques provided by ITC and I feel both more confident and competent in handling tasks related to value chain finance from now on.”

Similarly, Mr. Haiel Zian Al-Abdeen, Research and Development Analyst at the Sudapost Private Company has found the workshop to be “Very useful to my expertise in the R&D field. I really enjoyed the fact that the workshop focused on means to advance the private sector in Sudan and I think the discussions that were generated amongst a number of us helped me personally in the current establishing phase of Sudapost.”

Supporting the Central Bank of Sudan- Microfinance Unit to take their active role in steering the microfinance sector in Sudan is part of the UNDP Support for Youth Employment and Microfinance in Sudan”. One of this project focus area is to enhance the capacity of Microfinance providers and clients to adopt best practice Microfinance services and to advocate for enabling Microfinance Policy and regulatory environment.

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