PlaNet Finance China

To accelerate poverty alleviation through support to the microfinance sector.

Founded in October 1998, PlaNet Finance Group is an international non-governmental organization that aims to alleviate poverty by contributing to the development of the microfinance sector. Based in Paris, PlaNet Finance Group supports microfinance institutions (MFIs) by providing them with technical assistance services in terms of capacity building and financing to facilitate their growth. The Group also works with the private sector (banks and financial institutions), international agencies and governments to facilitate the development of an efficient and mainstream microfinance sector. PlaNet Finance Group responds to the needs of microfinance actors by providing them with a range of services delivered through its nine independent and specialized entities, which aim to develop an inclusive microfinance sector around the world.

Each year, PlaNet Finance manages approximately 100 programs and serves 200 microfinance institutions, reaching over 4 million clients.

PlaNet Finance China, a representative office of PlaNet Finance Group, was established in 2003 and provides technical assistance and advisory services to microfinance actors in China. To date, PlaNet Finance China has implemented activities in both rural and urban China, and served local microfinance programs and financial institutions in over 20 provinces and municipalities. A partial list of past partners and clients includes:

Financial Institutions: Citibank, Microcredit Companies, Village and Township Banks
Private-sector companies: Areva, GDF Suez and Rhodia
International Development Agencies: International Red Cross and Red Crescent and PLAN International
Public-sector actors & Foundations: European Commission, Ministry of Science and Technology, NGO Microfinance Institutions, YouChange Entrepreneur Foundation

PlaNet Finance China offers a diversified set of services, which can be divided into three categories:

1. Technical Assistance: strategic and technical services on a variety of topics including risk management, capacity building, microfinance best practices, business planning, social performance management and more.
2. Microfinance Plus Programs: programs of high-added social value particularly in area of health, education and the environment.
3. Sector Support in Microfinance: activities crucial to helping microfinance grow as a sector and be known by the largest number including conferences, research studies and reports on the microfinance environment in China