Financing Constraints and Microfinance in Eastern Europeand Central Asia

Abstract

Microfinance institutions are a growing tool used to alleviate poverty throughout the world. This thesis estimates how much the impact, if any, that microfinance institutions in 19 countries have throughout Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The study focuses on regions and cities inside the countries, opposed to measure a country-wide impact. The study shows a difference in investment behavior between firms that have access to an MFI and firms that do not have access.