Côte d'Ivoire, Africa, 28 April to 1 May 2008 - Microfinance agency launched: In addition to official meetings, His Highness was in Cote d'Ivoire to launch the Première Agence de Microfinance (PAMF), which is to start operations in the areas of Boundiali and Dianra in northern Côte d'Ivoire. It joins two sister microfinance institutions, in Mali and Burkina Faso, which were launched in 2006. PAMF will serve disadvantaged communities through a network that is expected to grow to over eight branches by 2012. Loans are primarily intended for income-generating activities, and are designed to improve agricultural productivity, acquire livestock and establish small enterprises in rural and urban areas.