Feature Archive 2006

Our latest research policy brief is a comparative analysis of the policy and regulatory environment in the power sector in Argentina, Brazil, People's Republic of China, India, Mexico and Thailand. We find that the scope and sequencing of the reform process has significant influence on private and foreign investment. Download the book for free.

This joint ADB-ADBI publication, based on a survey of rural households as well as commercial banks and microfinance initiatives, provides a comprehensive overview of rural finance in Lao PDR. The study recommends the development of an inclusive, market based rural finance system. Download the book for free.

Our annual conference examines issues related to external financing and governance of infrastructure and effects on trade and poverty reduction. The conference presents aspects of ADBI's new initiative on infrastructure for regional cooperation. Read the program.

Learn more about ADBI's work in infrastructure.

How has FDI affected economic growth, exports, employment and productivity in the Mekong? What are the policy challenges associated with becoming more attractive to FDI? Download this free report that tries to answer these questions.

Although all the Asian bank supervisory agencies introduced regulatory reforms to encourage the development of good corporate governance policies after the 1997 financial crisis, not much is known about the success of these policy reforms. Read the findings of our latest study.

This research paper examines the impact of the tsunami that hit Sri Lanka. It takes stock of the reconstruction and recovery activities and identifies challenges ahead. Three major lessons apply to other disaster reconstruction efforts worldwide. It is also available in Indonesian to facilitate information sharing.

Two free, self-paced interactive courses on Building Electronic Communities and Networks and Investing in Information Development have rated a 'perfect 5' from our independent reviewer.

The authors of our latest paper argue that the SME sector may play a significant role in any further reforms of the PRC's national innovation system. They highlight how issues such as innovation, R&D, and strategic clustering, as well as other internal and external conditions may influence the sector. Learn more and download for free.

Although all the Asian bank supervisory agencies introduced regulatory reforms to encourage the development of good corporate governance policies after the 1997 financial crisis, not much is known about the success of these policy reforms. Read the findings of our latest study.

Our latest paper reviews the literature on organic agriculture and its linkages to poverty reduction and the MDGs. It also identifies key gaps in the knowledge base and proposes a research agenda for policy formulation to support organic agriculture. Review the findings.

Why has the quality of governance in Bangladesh remained low? Our latest paper examines governance there in an international context and analyzes different governance dimensions in economic development. Download your free copy.

Private enterprises in the PRC can now enter many sectors once monopolized by state enterprises. This paper focuses on the administrative licensing system and argues that features of the PRC's bureaucracy have shaped local officials' incentive systems in ways that are unfavorable for successfully reducing licensing requirements. Download your free copy.

This paper tests the impact of cross-border road projects on trade and foreign direct investment in the Greater Mekong Subregion. Download your free copy.

This paper surveys the historical evolution of private sector development in Indonesia since independence. It focuses on policy toward foreign investment and small enterprises, and makes policy recommendations. Download your free copy.

Are you a researcher working on infrastructure-related development issues? Learn more about our fixed-term research opportunities in Tokyo

This discussion paper tries to answer this question using a specially constructed model to investigate the implications for poverty reduction in South Asia. Download your free copy.

Our research group regularly publishes online discussion papers. These reflect initial ideas on a topic. We welcome your views on these ideas. Simply use the 'Post a Comment' feature available on all our research publications.

CD-ROMs can help people without web access learn new skills and access development knowledge. How good is the content? How easy is it to move through the material? In ADBI's unique program we engage independent experts to review development-related CD-ROMs. Over 80 reviews are now online. Recent reviews include:
• China: A Regional Analysis & Planning System
• Tuberculosis Case Management
• The Economics of Morbidity, Mortality, and Fertility

This paper looks at using information and communication technology (ICT) for expanding microfinance services to remote, rural areas. It reviews ICT innovations in microfinance and examines the challenges facing Mongolian rural finance in particular. Download your free copy.

Together with development partners, ADBI has run two training of trainers distance learning courses in microfinance. The courses blended CD-ROM-based self-learning with video conferencing through the Global Development Learning Network. We've now analyzed how successful this method is in delivering pro-poor capacity building in developing countries. Read the results.

ADBI can help you keep up-to-date with development issues in Asia and the Pacific. Our editors sift and analyze regional news sources daily, select the 10 top development stories, condense them, then mail them to you via e-newsline. It's free.Subscribe now.

The globalization process has had profound effects on the ability of governments to pursue independent national policies. Recent theorizing on trade and geography attempts to explain globalization patterns and their consequences. This discussion paper looks at how these theories can add to the discussion about regional policy in Asia.

This research paper examines the impact of the tsunami that hit Sri Lanka. It takes stock of the reconstruction and recovery activities and identifies challenges ahead. Three major lessons apply to other disaster reconstruction efforts worldwide. It is also available in Indonesian to facilitate information sharing.

The main obstacle in developing microfinance in our region is not the lack of funds: it is the lack of capacity in operating sustainable institutions. Partnering with the GDLN, ADBI offers the 3rd blended learning course to increase the number of accredited microfinance trainers in the region.
Learn how you can participate.

Using data from a survey of 445 organic rice contract farmers and conventional rice non-contract farmers in Thailand, the authors find that organic rice contract farming is more profitable for all scales of operation.
Download your free copy.

The renminbi's revaluation dominates the financial press today. Our monograph reviews the history of the exchange rate system and current arguments made by various groups. The authors also review the experience of the Japanese yen and identify its implications for the PRC based on the lessons learned.
Download your free copy.

Our latest policy brief deals with some of the challenges that the PRC is now facing. These include regional imbalance, economic reform, exchange rate, and the PRC-Japan relationship.
Download your free copy. 中国现在与未来的经济问题

Our latest paper tests the impact of cross-border road projects on trade and foreign direct investment in the Greater Mekong Subregion. Download your free copy.

Journalists from Cambodia, Fiji Islands, India, and Thailand took the top honors in the 2006 Developing Asia Journalism Awards announced at a special ceremony in Manila on 19 April. Meet the winners.

The rules of the game of public life and governance remain unclear in many important areas in Indonesia. This policy brief outlines several strategic issues of governance and suggests some options for change. Cara Pemerintahan di Indonesia: Beberapa Tanggapan .

How can regional trading agreements work to integrate, rather than isolate, members from the global trading system? Is this happening in Asia today? Find out in this discussion paper.

This paper finds that banking sector reform in the PRC has transformed lending from relationship-based contracting into a legal framework. However, the legal framework on property rights has made it more difficult for township and village enterprises to access financing.

Our latest paper surveys the historical evolution of private sector development in Indonesia since independence. It particularly focuses on policy towards foreign investment and small enterprises, and makes policy recommendations.

The panel of independent judges have selected the finalists for DAJA 2006 from over 250 submitted stories. The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony in Manila on 19 April 2006. View the finalists.

In many countries financial reforms have been controversial. Our latest paper explores the impact of financial reform on economic growth using a modified version of the conventional growth model. Download the paper.

After achieving rapid growth in manufacturing exports from the late 1980's to mid-1990's, the Asian crisis revealed the underlying weakness in Indonesia's industrial and financial sectors. Our latest paper examines Indonesian manufacturing firms and identifies the conditions required to develop their technological capability. Download it for free.

Our latest paper focuses on the application of information and communication technology (ICT) for expanding microfinance services to remote,rural areas. It reviews ICT innovations in microfinance and examines the challenges facing rural finance in Mongolia in particular.

Looking for a basic accounting course? Our independent reviewer rated this ILO CD-ROM as an "exemplary accounting skills training program and reference tool." Read the full review and order information.

ADBI can help you keep up-to-date with development issues in Asia and the Pacific. Our editors sift and analyze regional news sources daily, select the 10 top development stories, condense them, then mail them to you via e-newsline. It's free. Subscribe now.

CD-ROMs can help people without web access learn new skills and access development knowledge. Our online library lists 345 titles covering finance, health, gender, agriculture, trade, and more. View the new list of free items.

Are you a researcher working on development issues? Learn more about our fixed-term research opportunities in Tokyo. We are particularly interested in applicants researching infrastructure-related topics.

Our recent study, "Serving the Poorest of the Poor" explores this question by analyzing the impact of the Khushhali Bank, the largest retail microfinance bank in Pakistan. Download the paper.

Our annual program to recognize journalists covering development trends and the impact these have on the countries and people of the region is now open. Journalists can now submit entries for DAJA 2006 using our new online application system

Our most downloaded publication of 2005 was Corporate Governance in Asia. Download your free copy to read the findings on shareholder rights and information disclosure, effectiveness of boards of directors, and the roles of stakeholders.