Mysuru: Uday Kumar Hebbar, Managing Director of Credit Access Grameen Limited, inaugurated the 8th International Economics Conference organized by Shri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara Institute for Management Development (SDMIMD) in Mysore. Themed around ‘Economic Growth and Sustainable Development: Emerging Trends,’ Hebbar emphasized that microfinance has evolved beyond being ‘micro’ and has transformed into a new asset class.
During his keynote address, Hebbar highlighted that India’s per capita income is expected to double by 2030, with six crore households entering the middle-income bracket during this period. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, India has demonstrated resilience and is on a trajectory of robust growth.
He emphasized the significant role of microfinance in bridging income and livelihood disparities, fostering gender parity, and contributing to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals. Hebbar also discussed the opportunities and challenges faced by the microfinance sector in the current dynamic environment, citing the new harmonized microfinance guidelines as a step towards protecting customer interests.
B. Venkatraja, Conference Chairperson at SDMIMD, introduced the conference theme, underscoring the critical importance of balancing economic growth aspirations with environmental protection for sustainability. Dr. Mohamed Minhaj, Chairperson of Academic Programs at SDMIMD, provided an overview of how technologies and innovations drive the economy.
Over the two-day conference, 130 research papers were presented by academicians and research scholars from various institutions, addressing emerging issues and trends in the economy, growth, and sustainability.”
