This publication shows how ADB continues to explore new ways to deepen its relationship with civil society organizations (CSOs) and increase the impact of its development projects in South Asia. Drawing on comprehensive data, it emphasizes how meaningful CSO involvement throughout the lifecycle of a development project helps ensure ADB's schemes are more organized and better designed to generate positive outcomes. Underlining the value of meaningful CSO engagement, the publication calls for empowering civil society to harness their specialist knowledge and engage them in policy dialogue that...

This report discusses progress made by the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Program's trade facilitation efforts from 2010 to 2020 and evaluates the efficiency of cross-border trade across six CAREC transport corridors. Using the results of Corridor Performance Measurement and Monitoring (CPMM) tool, it outlines the disruption caused by COVID-19 and details steps by the 11 CAREC member countries to facilitate trade, bolster cooperation, and boost connectivity. Analyzing outstanding challenges and opportunities, it prescribes possible actions to remove important structural...

This publication examines beneficial ownership transparency in nine countries in Asia and the Pacific and explains how overcoming hurdles to ensure the full disclosure of company ownership is key to cracking down on crime and corruption. Focusing on countries including Armenia, Mongolia, and the Philippines, it offers a breakdown of relevant international standards and details challenges related to accurate data verification, collection, and disclosure. It highlights best practices, provides practical recommendations, and shows why a multipronged approach to cross-checking ownership...

This publication explores how a local currency government bond market can strengthen economic recovery from COVID-19. It focuses on the Lao People's Democratic Republic, which faces many challenges shared by other developing countries. It examines how the Lao PDR can benefit from the experiences of its neighbors in the Asian Bond Markets Initiative and highlights the essential building blocks for developing an efficient government bond market with sound cash and debt management.

This publication shares the results of a survey to help identify drivers, impediments, and priorities for Indonesia's sustainable finance market to inform support for its development. The survey assessed institutional investors' interest in green bonds issued in Indonesia and explored the perspectives of local arrangers and underwriters on their clients' interest in green bond issuances. The findings serve as a resource to inform action to accelerate the market's development. The publication was prepared in collaboration with the Global Green Growth Institute.

This thematic chapter shows how the Russian invasion of Ukraine and related sanctions are affecting micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Central and West Asia and suggests policy responses to mitigate the impact. It draws on the results of business surveys in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan carried out six months after the start of the invasion. It assesses the invasion's macroeconomic impact, outlines its effect on global supply chains, and explores MSME responses. Highlighting how countries are converting risks into...

This report shows how air quality in the People's Republic of China's fast-growing Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei industrial hub has deteriorated and presents an integrated, cost-effective model to reduce carbon emissions and other pollutants. Analyzing the costs and benefits of different scenarios, it sets out a modeling framework and shows how adapting policies can help boost the region's development, environment, and public well-being. It explores how increasing energy efficiency and reducing fossil fuel consumption can improve air quality and help the PRC meet its commitment to achieve carbon...

This report shows how the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) can leverage its regional position to boost trade, increase agriculture, and harness the power of its cities to promote inclusive and equitable growth. Analyzing the Lao PDR's production and trading structure, it details the Greater Mekong Subregion's plan to improve competitiveness, community, and connectivity in order to converge income and living standards between members. Outlining the need for structural transformation, it discusses the potential for the Lao PDR to upgrade its value chain positioning, diversify its...

Better tax systems enable recovery from the impact of COVID-19, and progress towards Sustainable Development Goals. Analyzing the tax systems of 40 economies in Asia and the Pacific, this report explores ways to improve their efficiency. For ADB members in Asia and the Pacific, stronger tax systems are now more important than ever—to boost revenues enabling recovery from the economic shocks of COVID-19, and to reinforce implementation of Sustainable Development Goals. Using comparative data up to the fiscal year 2020, and drawing from the International Survey on Revenue Administration...

This report summarizes insights on transparency and integrity in sustainable finance markets shared at a series of webinars hosted by the Asian Development Bank and State Street Global Advisors. The report provides an overview of policy and market practice to enhance transparency, integrity, and efficiency in sustainable finance and to foster the market's development. It discusses efforts to align taxonomies and standards; support transition finance; adapt to the trend toward environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investments; and implement information disclosure and integrity...