Page 339 - 2019 6th AFIS & ASMMA

the state level, which does complicate things. In India, for instance, » Panelist | Simon Walley
our project had much more success in Rajasthan, and we try to create Yes. Another state is Madhya Pradesh. It tends to percolate through
competition between the states to have the best results, by making it all aspects of governments; if they're good at something, they are likely
an exemplary case and say, "Look at what Rajasthan has been able to to have other efficient, and effective areas, such as land, transport, and
achieve, why don't you try some of this in Tamil Nadu, and look at how social security. Essentially, it is just a good government that creates the
Rajasthan was able to succeed." right enabling environment.

» Moderator | Henny Sender » Moderator | Henny Sender
Why do you think that Rajasthan worked so well? What was it about? One of the lessons we might conclude from your comment seems
Was it a few individuals, was it the government, or was it some private to be the need for flexibility. So, if we have a problem at one level, we Session II
sector organization? What made Rajasthan so successful? should try another level, right? Of government.

» Panelist | Simon Walley » Panelist | Simon Walley
It's a mix of things. There are probably nine states in India where our Yes, exactly. Like I said, I take the view to go with whatever works,
projects were particularly very effective. The big difference in Rajasthan and I tend not to have theoretical models; you have to be adaptable. In
is the land. They're able to provide titles of the land to the banks. addition, be conscious of the fact that one of the difficulties with housing
finance is to take a very long-term view. It's a long-term investment; the
people in charge of it, the politicians, have a short-term view, they're
» Moderator | Henny Sender looking at the next election. So, you can't be too theoretical about
It's that infrastructure, the title, the formal property. solutions or recommendations. At the same time, you need to have
things that play with the political imperatives. The balancing act can be
difficult, but that's how you get results.
» Panelist | Simon Walley
Being able to access the land, even if you are poor, means that you
can use the property as collateral for lenders, on which they're able to » Moderator | Henny Sender
foreclose. That really made the difference. In addition, there are very Yes, I think we struggle with both infrastructure and housing.
dynamic, very forward-thinking institutions that we had this initial pilot Politicians think in terms of election cycles but housing and
with. That really made the difference. infrastructure need more long-term. I'm going to pick up on one more
point before I turn to you, Olivier, and that is your mention of jobs.
Because as we discussed over breakfast, in a country like India, it's a win-
» Moderator | Henny Sender win situation both on the supply and the demand side. In India, because
It's interesting because Rajasthan has relatively good roads infrastructure. the population is so young, you have a million young people coming
You can get affordable land and you can also get people jobs precisely, on to the job markets every month. Many of those one million people
because they have better transport than a lot of other states. are moving to the cities. And most of them are unskilled. They are the

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