The Asia Foundation

Cambodia, where the Provincial Business Environment Scorecard (PBES) was first implemented in 2006, and Sri Lanka where the first Economic Governance Index (EGI-SL) was conducted in 2007, are the two most recent additions to the LEGIs...

Cambodia, where the Provincial Business Environment Scorecard (PBES) was first implemented in 2006, and Sri Lanka where the first Economic Governance Index (EGI-SL) was conducted in 2007, are the two most recent additions to the LEGIs developed by The Asia Foundation and its partners.  These two indexes, based on the experience of The Asia Foundation in the Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam, had to be adapted to the specific economic and administrative context of Cambodia and Sri Lanka.  They have, however, the same objectives:
• Providing updated information to the private sector about the business environment in their area, and thus creating a demand for an improved business environment.
• Creating a frame of reference for local leaders and public officials as they seek to improve policies and economic governance practices in their area.
• Stimulating a proactive and competitive process involving all relevant stakeholders in their efforts to offer a more supportive business environment.

Indonesia's "big bang" decentralization in 2001 shifted much of the responsibility for local economic development to now more than 400 district governments. But the performance of these districts has varied widely. This paper attempts to...

Indonesia's "big bang" decentralization in 2001 shifted much of the responsibility for local economic development to now more than 400 district governments. But the performance of these districts has varied widely. This paper attempts to understand the determinants of sub-national (district) growth in Indonesia and map how these determinants have changed since prior to the crisis.

Keynote Address by H.E. Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, Secretary General of ASEAN and Trustee of The Asia Foundation, at The Asia Foundation's recent international conference: "Korea’s Changing Roles in Southeast Asia: Expanding Influence and...

Keynote Address by H.E. Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, Secretary General of ASEAN and Trustee of The Asia Foundation, at The Asia Foundation's recent international conference: "Korea’s Changing Roles in Southeast Asia: Expanding Influence and Relations."

(In Bahasa - small version - no graphics) - Road Transportation, Regulations and Charges in Indonesia. To assess the size and nature of domestic road transportation costs, The Asia Foundation, in partnership with the University of Indonesia's...

(In Bahasa - small version - no graphics) - Road Transportation, Regulations and Charges in Indonesia. To assess the size and nature of domestic road transportation costs, The Asia Foundation, in partnership with the University of Indonesia's Institute for Economic and Social Research (LPEM-FEUI) implemented a comprehensive survey of domestic trucking costs along nine routes in Indonesia. The survey explicitly examined licensing costs, road charges and the costs associated with poor infrastructure. Through GPS tracking and interviews with firm managers and truck drivers, the survey identifies exactly who is charging drivers, where they are being charged and how much.

Road Transportation, Regulations and Charges in Indonesia. To assess the size and nature of domestic road transportation costs, The Asia Foundation, in partnership with the University of Indonesia's Institute for Economic and Social Research...

Road Transportation, Regulations and Charges in Indonesia. To assess the size and nature of domestic road transportation costs, The Asia Foundation, in partnership with the University of Indonesia's Institute for Economic and Social Research (LPEM-FEUI) implemented a comprehensive survey of domestic trucking costs along nine routes in Indonesia. The survey explicitly examined licensing costs, road charges and the costs associated with poor infrastructure. Through GPS tracking and interviews with firm managers and truck drivers, the survey identifies exactly who is charging drivers, where they are being charged and how much.

Bahasa Indonesia version - Road Transportation, Regulations and Charges in Indonesia. To assess the size and nature of domestic road transportation costs, The Asia Foundation, in partnership with the University of Indonesia's Institute for...

Bahasa Indonesia version - Road Transportation, Regulations and Charges in Indonesia. To assess the size and nature of domestic road transportation costs, The Asia Foundation, in partnership with the University of Indonesia's Institute for Economic and Social Research (LPEM-FEUI) implemented a comprehensive survey of domestic trucking costs along nine routes in Indonesia. The survey explicitly examined licensing costs, road charges and the costs associated with poor infrastructure. Through GPS tracking and interviews with firm managers and truck drivers, the survey identifies exactly who is charging drivers, where they are being charged and how much.

(Small version - no graphics) - Road Transportation, Regulations and Charges in Indonesia. To assess the size and nature of domestic road transportation costs, The Asia Foundation, in partnership with the University of Indonesia's Institute...

(Small version - no graphics) - Road Transportation, Regulations and Charges in Indonesia. To assess the size and nature of domestic road transportation costs, The Asia Foundation, in partnership with the University of Indonesia's Institute for Economic and Social Research (LPEM-FEUI) implemented a comprehensive survey of domestic trucking costs along nine routes in Indonesia. The survey explicitly examined licensing costs, road charges and the costs associated with poor infrastructure. Through GPS tracking and interviews with firm managers and truck drivers, the survey identifies exactly who is charging drivers, where they are being charged and how much.

The Asia Foundation's Tsunami Rights and Legal Aid Center (T-LAC) enables Thai families living in remote tsunami-affected areas to receive free DNA tests in order to obtain national ID cards and gain access to their full rights as Thai...

The Asia Foundation's Tsunami Rights and Legal Aid Center (T-LAC) enables Thai families living in remote tsunami-affected areas to receive free DNA tests in order to obtain national ID cards and gain access to their full rights as Thai citizens.

Along with hundreds of other undocumented Thais, 21 people from three generations of the Charnsamut family have been recognized as legal citizens of Thailand thanks to The Asia Foundation's Tsunami Rights and Legal Aid Center (T-LAC) DNA...

Along with hundreds of other undocumented Thais, 21 people from three generations of the Charnsamut family have been recognized as legal citizens of Thailand thanks to The Asia Foundation's Tsunami Rights and Legal Aid Center (T-LAC) DNA testing program.

Since 1961, The Asia Foundation has been working with private Islamic schools (pondok) in Thailand. The Foundation recognizes the central role of Islam in the education process and has partnered with local reformers working with...

Since 1961, The Asia Foundation has been working with private Islamic schools (pondok) in Thailand. The Foundation recognizes the central role of Islam in the education process and has partnered with local reformers working with pondok to upgrade the quality of their instruction.

Since 1961, The Asia Foundation has been working with private Islamic schools (pondok) in Thailand. The Foundation recognizes the central role of Islam in the education process and has partnered with local reformers working with...

Since 1961, The Asia Foundation has been working with private Islamic schools (pondok) in Thailand. The Foundation recognizes the central role of Islam in the education process and has partnered with local reformers working with pondok to upgrade the quality of their instruction.

The Asia Foundation supports creative extracurricular activities – including science, math, language, and social studies camps – to improve the quality of education for students of private Islamic schools (pondok) in...

The Asia Foundation supports creative extracurricular activities – including science, math, language, and social studies camps – to improve the quality of education for students of private Islamic schools (pondok) in Thailand.

This handbook presents basic information on advocacy and how it can be pursued by private enterprises, government institutions and other organizations in Sri Lanka to establish and safeguard their rights. It was prepared by The Asia...

This handbook presents basic information on advocacy and how it can be pursued by private enterprises, government institutions and other organizations in Sri Lanka to establish and safeguard their rights. It was prepared by The Asia Foundation, Sri Lanka, through its Local Economic Governance Program, with financial support from the Australian Agency for International Development and the Department for International Development (UK). The handbook is largely adapted from a publication on policy advocacy for SMEs in Indonesia, prepared by The Asia Foundation in Indonesia. It has also drawn on advocacy materials developed Dr. Hetifah Sjaifudian Sumarto, an independent consultant to The Asia Foundation.

In March 2008 the fifth semi-annual corruption benchmarking survey was completed. The purpose of the survey is to better understand the scope and incidence of corruption at the household level in Mongolia. Findings and conclusions serve to...

In March 2008 the fifth semi-annual corruption benchmarking survey was completed. The purpose of the survey is to better understand the scope and incidence of corruption at the household level in Mongolia. Findings and conclusions serve to benchmark changes in experience, attitudes and perceptions over an extended period of time, and thereby contribute to better-informed policy-making, and the refinement of interventions and activities that inform and engage citizens as active participants in the effort to combat corruption in Mongolia.

(In Mongolian) In March 2008 the fifth semi-annual corruption benchmarking survey was completed. The purpose of the survey is to better understand the scope and incidence of corruption at the household level in Mongolia.  Findings and...

(In Mongolian) In March 2008 the fifth semi-annual corruption benchmarking survey was completed. The purpose of the survey is to better understand the scope and incidence of corruption at the household level in Mongolia.  Findings and conclusions serve to benchmark changes in experience, attitudes and perceptions over an extended period of time, and thereby contribute to better-informed policy-making, and the refinement of interventions and activities that inform and engage citizens as active participants in the effort to combat corruption in Mongolia.

Throughout Asia, The Asia Foundation works to improve governance, law, and civil society; empower women; strengthen economic reform and development; and promote international relations. With a network of 17 field offices and a proven track...

Throughout Asia, The Asia Foundation works to improve governance, law, and civil society; empower women; strengthen economic reform and development; and promote international relations. With a network of 17 field offices and a proven track record in Asia since 1954, the Foundation has been a leader in building human and institutional capacity throughout the Asia Pacific, providing thousands of scholarships, more than 40 million English-language books, and countless opportunities for training, expert assistance, and effective policy dialogues.