This report explores how aid for trade can be modernized to support Asia and the Pacific's recovery from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals. Aid for trade has an important role to play in supporting pandemic recovery, especially for the region's lower-middle-income and least developed countries. Aid for trade can help by supporting forward-looking trade and digital policies that reduce vulnerability, strengthen resilience, and foster economic growth. This report looks at how aid for trade should be modernized so it reflects new...

This publication provides guidance to support efforts to reform state-owned enterprises (SOEs) in developing Asia. Under its Strategy 2030, ADB is committed to SOE reform in its developing member countries (DMCs). The publication reviews the significance of SOEs in Asia and the Pacific, the role of SOE reform in ADB's strategy, and related requirements for sovereign projects. SOE challenges are also assessed with a focus on projects, policy-based loans (PBLs), and sector programs. Although the publication is designed to guide ADB staff in their work with SOEs through sovereign projects,...

This publication examines risks from flooding and earthquakes in the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) region. It assesses the protection gap and identifies ways of strengthening financing. CAREC member countries face growing levels of disaster risk without sufficient financial protection. Regional cooperation can help narrow the protection gap and increase the financing available for quick responses to disaster events. This publication explores the current approach to disaster risk finance in each CAREC member state to identify opportunities to strengthen financing...

This publication explores how multilateral development banks (MDBs) can help improve the resilience of infrastructure given increasing climate and disaster risks. It highlights opportunities in three areas: risk-informed planning, financing assistance, and knowledge building through regional and global networks. Examples from around the world illustrate some of the successes that have been achieved so far. The publication draws on a literature review, insights from stakeholders in developing member countries of the Asian Development Bank, and input from specialists in eight MDBs.

This publication explores the use of regulatory technology (regtech) in finance. It discusses how to design an optimal architecture, alongside policy considerations for an integrated regtech and supervisory technology ecosystem. It highlights the interaction of industry use of technology in compliance and risk management; regulator and supervisor use of technology for supervision, monitoring, and enforcement; and use of technology to embed regulatory requirements and systems into financial infrastructure. The publication introduces key policy frameworks that enable ecosystem relationships...