The executive committee of Sanabel, its staff and its institutional sponsor, met in Cairo 12-14 of April 2004 to discuss and finalise a strategic plan to address the needs and challenges in the Arab microfinance industry. The following strategy statement was adopted by the meeting:

By June 2007, Sanabel envisions an Arab microfinance industry

* where 1,500,000 clients are served across 12 countries

* with a range of high quality financial products and services

* by an increasingly diverse array of well capitalized, best practice microfinance service providers

* operating within enabling regulatory environments * utilizing transparent methods and practices

* employing well trained staff who enjoy full access to microfinance training and continuing education within the Arab region.

Toward these ends, Sanabel will organize itself as a market facilitator

* providing the Arab microfinance industry with direct services in the areas such as networking, training, translation, research, and the exchange of information using the primary languages of the region (Arabic and French); while also,

* serving as a catalyst and coordinating entity for the work of partner organizations in areas such as transparency and benchmarking and in the development and/or reform of microfinance regulations.

To view Sanabel's three-year strategic plan, please see the attachment below.