The role of Islamic microfinance in socio-economic development in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Abstract EN

This paper aims to explore the role of Islamic microfinance in the socio-economic development of Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H).

Due to the significant growth of the microfinance sector in the last 20 years and its impact on the country’s postwar reconstruction and development, B&H serves as a good case for this present research.

The study relies on primary data collected from clients of Islamic and conventional microfinance institutions (MFI).

Accordingly, the comparison between Islamic and conventional MFIs is possible.

Our results reveal that, from the clients’ perspective, there is no difference between Islamic and conventional MFI.

In addition, religion plays a minor role in choice of MFI suggesting that being “Islamic” is of little relevance to the clients.

The clients are more concerned with the quality of service they receive.

Finally, we find positive but limited impact of MFIs on their clients’ standard of living.

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