Turkish Grameen Microcredit Project, Turkey
Turkish Grameen Microcredit Program (TGMP) has been in operation since July 18, 2003. In the presence of Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Honorable Prime Minister of Turkey, TGMP was formally launched in Diyarbakir through disbursement of its first loan to six members. This project has been initiated with the financial support from Turkish Foundation for Waste Reduction and technical assistance from Grameen Trust. In July 2003, the project had only one branch, two groups and ten members in Diyarbakir. In the course of its operation TGMP has opened a total of 33 branches in DIYARBAKIR, ANKARA, GAZIANTEP, K.MARAS, HATAY, ERZINCAN, BATMAN, ZONGULDAK, YOZGAT, TOKAT , SANLIURFA , SIVAS, SIIRT, SAMSUN , RIZE , NIGDE, MARDIN, MALATYA, KIRSEHIR, ESKISEHIR,, CORUM , CANKIRI , BURSA, BURDUR, KAYSERI, AYDIN, AMASYA and ADIYAMAN. It opened eighteen new branches in these areas in 2008.
TGMP has always remained innovative in serving its clientele in the most effective and efficient way. Alongside the basic and micro enterprise loan it introduced "Soft Loan" in 2006 in order to rehabilitate the beggars in the society with dignity and honor. Micro enterprise loans are provided to the experienced, efficient and hard working members who possess the capacity to carry out large scale activities and soft loans are provided only to the beggars, who have been termed as "Struggling members". In June 2008, TGMP introduced a new loan product "Micro Sera". Sera is a Turkish word, which means vegetable cultivation in Green House. This loan product brought along a great innovation - "Soil less cultivation". This innovation allows growing vegetable without the use of soil (perlit is used instead of soil). In the process of introducing diversified loan product, TGMP also introduced "Animal Sharing Loan" in this year which has been highly welcomed by its clientele.
TGMP has also been highly innovative in using sophisticated technology in its credit delivery and recovery mechanism. It started using "POS Machine", online banking system, from May 2008 in order to keep track of loans and other transactions of the borrowers. This system has proved to be very useful, as it ensures accurate transaction while saving the time for posting information in the Pass Books. It is also worth noting that all the braches of TGMP are computerized and linked to the Data Management Center, which is highly facilitative of maintaining efficient and transparent information system.
2008 has been a year of achievement and celebration for Turkish Grameen Microcredit Program. In January 2008, 19 members of TGMP received awards from City Bank in the field of "Production and Processing", "Agriculture", "Trade" and "Business". In July 2008, TGMP celebrated reaching its 10,001th member through a grand ceremony at the Prime Minister Conference Hall in Ankara in which Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, honorable Prime Minister of Turkey and Governors from 21 cities were present. On this occasion, the Prime Minister handed over a check of 4000 TL (US$ 2581) as micro enterprise loan to the 10,001th member of TGMP. Another inspiring event of TGMP in 2008 is the receipt of the "Best Project" award from the Governor of Kaharaman Maras. Distinguished personalities including Mr. Abdul Kadir Aksu, Ex-Home Minister of Turkey, honorable Governors, Professor H.I.Latifee, Managing Director, GT, Ms. Nurjahan Begum, General Manager, GB and Ms. Lamiya Morshed, CEO of Yunus Secretariat were present at this ceremony.
In 2008, TGMP has been tremendously successful in its project expansion. Only in 2008, it could reach out to 9588 new members and disbursed US$ 83, 03,790 new loans. Another achievement in this year is the successful opening of 18 new branches. As of December 2008, the cumulative loan outstanding of this project is US$ 5,997,756. The project has been enjoying 100% repayment rate since inception. TGMP has brought about employment opportunities for women and increased their income. Its members have become active participants in various decision making processes. This has improved the overall status of women and empowered them. TGMP has a plan to expand its coverage into 64 more cities of Turkey by 2010.
At the invitation of Prof. Dr. Aziz Akgul, the Founder of TGMP and the Honorable Governor of Kahramanmaras, Professor H.I.Latifee, Managing Director, Grameen Trust took part as a Keynote Speaker in the 2nd International Conference on Eradication of Poverty through Microcredit. Ms. Nurjahan Begum and Ms. Lamiya Morshed also delivered their speeches on this occasion.
