The Asia Foundation

This new book from The Asia Foundation summarizes the Foundation's experience designing and implementing programs aimed at strengthening economic governance in Asia. Authored by Asia Foundation staff experts V. Bruce. J. Tolentino, Nina...

This new book from The Asia Foundation summarizes the Foundation's experience designing and implementing programs aimed at strengthening economic governance in Asia. Authored by Asia Foundation staff experts V. Bruce. J. Tolentino, Nina Merchant-Vega, Veronique Salze Lozac'h, Maria Belen Bonoan, Jaime Faustino, Hari Kusdaryanto, Frida Rustiani, and Arumaithurai Subakaran.

A report on legal empowerment in Asia, including how legal empowerment is relevant to the development community and can be incorporated into development programs. Features three pilot projects in Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Pakistan; and...

A report on legal empowerment in Asia, including how legal empowerment is relevant to the development community and can be incorporated into development programs. Features three pilot projects in Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Pakistan; and overview of the Asian Development Bank's technical assistance for legal empowerment; defining and measuring the impact of legal empowerment; and conclusions and recommendations.

THE EXPERIENCE OF THE ASIA FOUNDATION IN INDONESIA, CAMBODIA, VIETNAM, SRI LANKA, AND BANGLADESH

The Asia Foundation’s approach to effective economic governance builds on the knowledge that the engine for sustainable growth is...

THE EXPERIENCE OF THE ASIA FOUNDATION IN INDONESIA, CAMBODIA, VIETNAM, SRI LANKA, AND BANGLADESH

The Asia Foundation’s approach to effective economic governance builds on the knowledge that the engine for sustainable growth is the formal and informal MSME sector, the major source of employment for most countries in Asia. However, the growth and job-generation performance of MSMEs are often constrained by a wide spectrum of institutional obstacles. To address the constraints to MSME growth, the Foundation has developed specialized tools to analyze local business environments, measure the quality of local economic governance, assess progress through a set of quantitative and qualitative indicators, and support policy reforms. Local Economic Governance Indexes (EGIs), developed in collaboration with local and international partners, are one of these tools.

11x17 version.

The Asia Foundation’s approach to effective economic governance builds on the knowledge that the engine for sustainable growth is the formal and informal MSME sector, the major source of employment for most...

11x17 version.

The Asia Foundation’s approach to effective economic governance builds on the knowledge that the engine for sustainable growth is the formal and informal MSME sector, the major source of employment for most countries in Asia. However, the growth and job-generation performance of MSMEs are often constrained by a wide spectrum of institutional obstacles. To address the constraints to MSME growth, the Foundation has developed specialized tools to analyze local business environments, measure the quality of local economic governance, assess progress through a set of quantitative and qualitative indicators, and support policy reforms. Local Economic Governance Indexes (EGIs), developed in collaboration with local and international partners, are one of these tools.

Water governance throughout South Asia has long been dominated by technical perspectives from civil engineering, economics, and international law. Across the region, state actors, scientists, and technocrats have monopolized policy formulation...

Water governance throughout South Asia has long been dominated by technical perspectives from civil engineering, economics, and international law. Across the region, state actors, scientists, and technocrats have monopolized policy formulation and implementation providing limited space for the expression of legitimate civil society voices and stakeholder interests. In this largely state driven discourse, broader social and ecological perspectives have been underrepresented. Bringing the discourse on water use, sharing, and management closer to affected communities and stakeholders can help to reduce environmental degradation and thereby the potential for conflict.

In May 2012, with support from the Skoll Global Threats Fund, The Asia Foundation (TAF) in partnership with civil society organizations in India and Bangladesh began a political economy analysis of the Teesta River Basin. To try and unpack the interests around water governance in the Teesta Basin, the analysis sought to identify and map key actors and stakeholders in the basin, their incentives, relative stakes, and their ability to influence water governance decisions in the basin. The analysis highlights five distinct political economy features of water negotiations and governance in the Teesta River Basin: Seeing like a state; legitimate stakeholders and actors excluded from the table; legitimate interests excluded from the table; weak articulation of stakeholder interests; and, state control of data and information.

Occasional Paper No. 2, July 2010

The processes of development are fundamentally shaped by powerful political, economic, and security actors in aid-recipient countries. These actors use their influence to shape formal governance...

Occasional Paper No. 2, July 2010

The processes of development are fundamentally shaped by powerful political, economic, and security actors in aid-recipient countries. These actors use their influence to shape formal governance institutions, policies, and the distribution of development assistance to advance their interests. The political settlements framework is an important new approach that may help international development organizations to better understand and respond to this reality and the challenges to developmental progress that is often affected by political dynamics in developing countries. This paper seeks to translate the concepts underlying political settlements into principles, strategies, and guidelines for practical action by donors and other development assistance organizations.

Thomas Parks, Regional Director for Governance and Conflict, The Asia Foundation
William Cole, Senior Director, Governance, Law, and Civil Society Programs & Program Strategy and Development, The Asia Foundation

The Election Working Group (EWG)—a non-partisan, 32-member national coalition of civil society organizations that share a common commitment to free and fair elections and good governance in Bangladesh—planned and implemented a...

The Election Working Group (EWG)—a non-partisan, 32-member national coalition of civil society organizations that share a common commitment to free and fair elections and good governance in Bangladesh—planned and implemented a comprehensive election observation strategy for the Ninth Parliamentary Elections.

A brief handout on Promoting Democratic Institutions and Practices (PRODIP). PRODIP is a five-year, $23.2 million program funded by the United States Agency for International Development. It is being implemented by The Asia Foundation in...

A brief handout on Promoting Democratic Institutions and Practices (PRODIP). PRODIP is a five-year, $23.2 million program funded by the United States Agency for International Development. It is being implemented by The Asia Foundation in partnership with the State University of New York Center for International Development (SUNY-CID). PRODIP is designed to improve the effectiveness and transparency of the parliament, while also increasing the constructive participation of civil society in the public policymaking and legislative process.

The purpose of the Asia Foundation's Public-Private Partnership (PPP) initiative is to assist the Government of Bangladesh (GoB) and private section to transform the concept of PPP into reality. The Foundation considers this initiative as a...

The purpose of the Asia Foundation's Public-Private Partnership (PPP) initiative is to assist the Government of Bangladesh (GoB) and private section to transform the concept of PPP into reality. The Foundation considers this initiative as a priority for the long term development of Bangladesh where public and private sections can join hands to achieve common development goals. Since July 2010, the Foundation has conducted analysis of PPP related documents for Bangladesh and few other countries in Asia, as well as held consultative meetings and group discussions with representatives for GoB and the private section on key facets of PPP including: key concepts, expectations, progress and challenges and respective partners role in the process among other things.

Occasional Paper No. 13, April 2012

This paper begins with descriptions of some of the critical challenges to democratization in Bangladesh. While electoral challenges are included, the paper seeks to look beyond elections and describe...

Occasional Paper No. 13, April 2012

This paper begins with descriptions of some of the critical challenges to democratization in Bangladesh. While electoral challenges are included, the paper seeks to look beyond elections and describe other factors that can have a profound impact on the quality and quantity of democracy experienced by the average person. The second section examines potential approaches to addressing these challenges.

To help identify and address key challenges confronting MSMEs in their local and regional business environments, The Asia Foundation has developed a program of Public- Private Dialogues, focused on the subnational level. Local...

To help identify and address key challenges confronting MSMEs in their local and regional business environments, The Asia Foundation has developed a program of Public- Private Dialogues, focused on the subnational level. Local Public-Private Dialogues (LPPDs) bring together local authorities, civil servants, and the private sector to discuss local impediments to business. LPPDs help local stakeholders eliminate obstacles to economic development, by providing a forum for consultation and cooperation, and fostering mutual trust and understanding.

To help identify and address key challenges confronting MSMEs in their local and regional business environments, The Asia Foundation has developed a program of Public- Private Dialogues, focused on the subnational level. Local Public-Private...

To help identify and address key challenges confronting MSMEs in their local and regional business environments, The Asia Foundation has developed a program of Public- Private Dialogues, focused on the subnational level. Local Public-Private Dialogues (LPPDs) bring together local authorities, civil servants, and the private sector to discuss local impediments to business. LPPDs help local stakeholders eliminate obstacles to economic development, by providing a forum for consultation and cooperation, and fostering mutual trust and understanding.

In this issue: "Books for Asia Hosts Vartan Gregorian in NYC, Launches Tech Start-up Fund," "Skoll Global Threats Fund to Help Address Water Sharing in Asia," "Citi's Ida Liu to Chair Lotus Awards 2012," "Asia Foundation Announces Five New...

In this issue: "Books for Asia Hosts Vartan Gregorian in NYC, Launches Tech Start-up Fund," "Skoll Global Threats Fund to Help Address Water Sharing in Asia," "Citi's Ida Liu to Chair Lotus Awards 2012," "Asia Foundation Announces Five New Trustees," "Amb. Verveer Meets Experts from Asia Foundation Panel on Women's Changing Roles in Asia," "Briefly Noted," "Multimedia," "Ashraf Ghani Briefs on Afghan Transition 2014," "Henry Luce Foundation Renews China Young Diplomats Program."

In this issue: "Six Days in Afghanistan," "Lotus Circle Honors Dr. David Ho for Work in Women's Health," "New Book on Economic Governance," "Future Leaders Experience Asia," "Asia Foundation President Speaks in Sydney," "South Korea's Green...

In this issue: "Six Days in Afghanistan," "Lotus Circle Honors Dr. David Ho for Work in Women's Health," "New Book on Economic Governance," "Future Leaders Experience Asia," "Asia Foundation President Speaks in Sydney," "South Korea's Green Growth," "David Arnold Meets UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon," "Featured Multimedia," and "Sri Lanka Dialogue Explores Aid Between Asian Nations."

The first chapter of the new Asia Foundation book Innovations in Strengthening Local Economic Governance in Asia. The book summarizes The Asia Foundation's experience designing and implementing programs aimed at strengthening economic...

The first chapter of the new Asia Foundation book Innovations in Strengthening Local Economic Governance in Asia. The book summarizes The Asia Foundation's experience designing and implementing programs aimed at strengthening economic governance in Asia.

Economic growth in Bangladesh has benefited from two decades of liberalization policies that aimed to increase private sector activity. While reforms have eased licensing and regulatory burdens, particularly for the export sector, the domestic...

Economic growth in Bangladesh has benefited from two decades of liberalization policies that aimed to increase private sector activity. While reforms have eased licensing and regulatory burdens, particularly for the export sector, the domestic private sector continues to face formidable challenges to growth. This is particularly the case for small enterprises that account for the bulk of private business in Bangladesh. Weaknesses in financial markets, burdensome regulation, and prohibitive policies create market distortions that reduce local competitiveness. The combined effect of poor infrastructure, weak public service delivery, corruption, and security concerns constrain the ability of businesses to function efficiently. While many businesses depend on patronage links to survive, small business owners typically lack the resources and political connections to combat regulatory and informal barriers to business. As a result, a weak enabling environment imposes disproportionately greater constraints to small business growth. The findings of this report contribute to dialogue and debate on the policy environment for private sector development in Bangladesh and inform the strategies of Government and other development partners. The Mymensingh study and the recommendations that flow from it reflect The Asia Foundation's commitment to support private-sector led growth by easing policy constraints that affect the enabling environment and mobilizing domestic constituencies for reform from the private sector, civil society, and government.

In January, 2005, the United States, Canada, and Europe completed the phase-out of quotas governing imports of textiles and apparel in accordance with the Agreement on Textiles and Clothing (ATC). The Asia Foundation works toward policy reform...

In January, 2005, the United States, Canada, and Europe completed the phase-out of quotas governing imports of textiles and apparel in accordance with the Agreement on Textiles and Clothing (ATC). The Asia Foundation works toward policy reform in the post-ATC environment.