Family Bank Microcredit Initiative in Bahrain
The Kingdom of Bahrain is a prosperous island nation in the Middle East. Its population is approximately 725,000 people, of which 448,500 were Bahraini nationals. In 2006 Bahrain's per capita GDP based on purchasing power parity was US$ 25,300, with annual GDP growth rate of 7.6%. Despite prosperity, the unemployment rate in Bahrain was 15%. Currently the Ministry of Social Development (MoSD) supports over 10,000 families with cash assistance. Bahrain is known as the "Banking hub of the Middle East." There are 390 financial institutions including 151 banks licensed by the Central Bank of Bahrain. However, there are no traditional banks offering microcredit of sums less than BD 7,000 to small entrepreneurs or needy families for income generating activities; hence the need for establishment of a microfinance Family Bank targeting this special niche.

A Microcredit Project In Lebanon
A high level Grameen Trust delegation led by Professor H. I. Latifee, Managing Director of Grameen Trust, visited Lebanon from May 11 to 15, 2007, at the invitation of the Hariri Development Group and DMI Sarl of Lebanon. During the visit Mr. Fadi F. Fawaz, in charge of Hariri Group Microfinance Project, formally requested a partnership between the two organizations in the following two areas: establishment of a Microfinance Project in Lebanon and that of a Middle East Center for Microfinance Excellence.

The People's Government of Hainan Province, China Banking Regulatory Commission, Hainan Rural Credit Union and Grameen Trust (GT) jointly organized `China (Hainan) Rural Microcredit International Forum' on "To Serve Agriculture, Peasantry and Rural Area with Microcredit" in Sheraton Haikou, China from 26-27 December 2007. The Forum was sponsored by Hainan YEDAO (Group) Co. Ltd and Hainan Nanztunag Co. Ltd.