On Thursday November 5, 2009 DataSoft Systems Bangladesh Ltd has facilitated a workshop to validate data and reports of Microfinance Institutions (MFI)-MIS solution that developed by DataSoft Systems Bangladesh Limited for Microcredit Regulatory Authority (MRA). The title for the project is ‘Consultancy Services for Developing Information System of MRA’. MRA is the central regulatory body to monitor and supervise microfinance operations of Non-government organizations of Bangladesh. The MFI-MIS solution is a tool that helps MRA to store and analyze data from license applications, evaluation process and half yearly report submitted by the licensed and applicant Microfinance Institutions.
The workshop has started sharp at 10:00 AM at conference room of DataSoft. Mr. Mahboob Zaman, Managing Director of DataSoft inaugurated the workshop by providing a welcome speech. He addressed the urgency of information technology blending with microfinance sector. He also addressed the image crisis of Bangladesh. He said “We don’t want to be recognized as the country of flood & famine or champion in corruption, rather be respected as the most creative and innovative nation”. He believes that Digital Bangladesh is not only a slogan it will change the entire view of Bangladesh.
Mrs. Lila Rashid, Director, MRA gave an overview on objective of MFI-MIS to the workshop participants from Top 20 MFIs. She gave assurance that MIS isn’t build to catch them; rather objective of this system is to generate ratios and indicators from the data provided by MFIs to help them prescribe for further improvements. She also mentioned that analysis reports of the MFI-MIS will help Government to update policies to help the MFI sector.
Dr. Amanullah (Mak) Khan, International Team Leader, PROSPER-PFU also gave a welcome speech. MFI Specialist S.M. Rahman gave a brief overview on the importance of financial ratio analysis and indicator of MFI sector. He also mentioned that most of the formulas used for reports are common and industry standard. Mr. Ranjit Kumar Roy of MRA gave a brief overview on the half yearly reporting format.
After tea break at 11:00 AM a day long session on data and report validation has been conducted jointly by MRA and DataSoft. Ashiqul Islam Akhand, Project Manager of the project presented some selected reports in front of the audience. Representatives from top 20 MFIs were very interactive during the session and they raised some issues and queries.
Other representatives from DataSoft are Mr. M. Manjur Mahmud (Director & COO), Mrs. Dil Afroz Begum (Director HR & Admin) and from MRA are Mohammad Alim-Al-Razi (Assistant Director), Ahsanullah M Dewan (IT Specialist), Md. Eftekhar Ali (Accounts & Audit Specialist), Ilias Ahmed (IT & MIS Coordinator) were also participated in the project.
Representatives of following MFIs have attainded in the workshop:
BRAC,Thengamara Mohila Sabuj Sangha (TMSS),Buro Bangladesh,Society for Social Service (SSS),Jagorani Chakra Foundation (JCF), Shakti Foundation for Disadvataged women, Padakkhep Manabik Unnayan Kendra, CARITAS Bangladesh,United Development Initiatives for Programmed Actions-UDDIPAN,RDRS Bangladesh,Peoples Oriented Program Implementation (POPI),Rural Reconstruction Foundation,Uttara Development Program Society (UDPS),Palli Mongal Karmosuchi (PMK),Dushtha Shasthya Kendra (DSK),Sajida Foundation,Bangladesh Extension Education Service (BEES),Manabik Shahajya Sangstha,Eco-Social Development Organization (ESDO).
It needs to inform that DataSoft Systems Bangladesh Limited is the leading software development company in Bangladesh. They were awarded this project through a very competitive process and DataSoft has successfully completed and implemented the project within due date.
