المستخلص: |
Micro-credit is a powerful tool in the eradication of poverty. Theory and studies prove that micro-credit does not only provide families with a sustainable source of income for general consumption, but also helps in the social development of households through increased expenditure on schooling, health care and other social services, as well as gender empowerment. This paper tackles the evolution of the micro- credit movement with a focus on micro-enterprise and the informal sector, micro-financing and economic development, micro-lending programs and institutions, gender and micro-enterprise, and major constraints in micro and small enterprise (MSE) development. Evidences are drawn from theory and practice, where the experiences of Grameen Bank in Bangladesh, Alexandria Business Association, and the National Bank for Development in Egypt are analyzed and compared. The needed policies for micro-finance will also be also investigated through the analysis.
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