The Sanabel’s 5th Annual Conference, “Advancing Arab Microfinance: Greater Social Impact through Inclusive Financial Services”, was held in Gammarth, Tunisia May 6th – 8th, 2008. This year’s conference was the largest ever attended by over 550 participants and featuring 65 speakers from the region and from around the globe. As the largest gathering microfinance gathering in the Arab world, Sanabel’s conferences present a unique networking opportunity. This year’s conference attracted a substantially increased number of participants from the international financial sector as well as regulators and government officials from the Arab region. Their presence demonstrates both the interest and growing strength of microfinance in the region.