Dear Members,

We have had a busy year in 2007 and hope to continue the momentum in 2008. After the Visioning Workshop in October, we have initiated two e-discussions to which members contributed their valuable insights and experiences.

We also realized how timely the micro-insurance e-discussion was, when we learned of the partnership of the International Labour Organization (ILO Geneva) and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation made for health microinsurance. This news, combined with the interest put forth by the Government of India (GOI) to put in place health microinsurance legislation for the poor has re-emphasised the importance of health microinsurance for the poor – something that would have an impact on most MFIs and their clients.

We also request members to share their feedback on the utility of the Solution Exchange Microfinance Community. Please also continue to ask questions and initiate new queries dealing with issues members face in the field as well as greater discussion on issues facing the microfinance sector at large.

We look forward to a fruitful and vibrant year ahead.