The Saint Lucia Development Bank hosted two, two day micro finance training in collaboration with the Central Bank of India and the Commonwealth Secretariat. The first of the two day training programme was held between November 26 – 27, 2009 at the Bay Gardens Hotel in the north of island and the second session was held between December 3 – 4, 2009 at the Coconut Bay Resort and Spa in the south of the island. Representatives from various micro finance institutions attended the training and topics discussed included instruments which could be used in micro finance, with live case study examples, project appraisal techniques, risks and safeguards and new product development. The concept of Self-Help Groups, which has been a major success in India, was introduced and the consultants provided key strategies to implementing such a programme successfully.