…global economic crisis can be an opportunityA section of the gathering at the Small Business Development Finance Trust Annual General meeting yesterday The sustainability of micro-finance projects is always a challenge, Canadian High Commissioner, Charles Court, said on Tuesday.Addressing the Small Business Development Finance Trust Annual General Meeting, the High Commissioner said that there are some 10,000 micro-finance projects around the world but not all are functioning.He said that Guyana has the human and physical resources that are waiting to be exploited in this area.Through the Canada Fund Support in 2002, he said,Cheap Air Max 270 Mens, the organisation was helped with the setting up of its office.The SBDF aim is to create an equitable society by integrating people, strategy and best practices in its operations.Economic Officer at the United States embassy in Guyana,Wholesale Authentic NFL Jerseys, Richard Bakewell, who was also at the event on Tuesday, said that micro-finance is necessary but not sufficient.He noted that while there is a crisis in the world, this could be used as an opportunity. Bakewell urged that the SBDF take this crisis as an opportunity.The SBDF is a ‘not for profit’ organization established in 2002 to promote socio-economic Development of the poor, indigenous, women and others who are left out of the development process.In his report, Chairman of the Board of Directors,NFL Jerseys Cheap, Sattaur Gafoor, told the gathering that during the past year, the economic environment in Guyana was very unstable.In the first half of the year the outlook was better, but in the later half, he said, the down turn started to reflect in lower local as well as regional demand.However, the micro and small sector continue to sustain, though at lower level, he added, stating that SBDF has tried to focus its efforts on generating opportunities for self-employment and asset creation.During the year, SBDF has strengthened its capacity to deliver better services to the micro and small sector.Last year,Jerseys NFL China, the chairman stated in his review, the SBDF funded more than 540 micro and small loans to the value of $147.2 million and in the process created and sustained approximately 1,MLB Jerseys From China,368 jobs in the economy.Due to limited funds and transport facilities, SBDF has not been able to provide Credit Services throughout the country as desired, however, have serviced areas of East Bank Essequibo, Regions Three, Four and Five.According to the Chairman, special efforts were made to enhance awareness of SBDF credit Services among East Coast Demerara communities (especially among women) and Kuru Kururu to Laluni on the Linden Highway.Gafoor said that for the sixth year the Trust has contributed $6.8M as generated income to its capital fund, which has not only enhanced its capacity to lend but also generated confidence in its management capabilities.Last year, Gafsons Industries Limited placed its Employee’s Benefit Retention Funds with SBDF. Yesterday, the International Finance Corporation signed a loan agreement for SBDF.Meanwhile, Head of the Guyana Office for Investment, Geoffrey Da Silva, told the group of entrepreneurs that there are major indicators for further problems in the United States that will affect Guyana’s exports.At present, he said, efforts are being made to access new markets.The SBDF provides micro, housing,Cheap NFL Jerseys Online, consumer and development loans with technical assistance to all clients in pre-disbursement and post disbursement.They finances loans fore agricultural activities, craft, tourism, manufacturing and process among other areas.