The Asia Foundation

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.

Since 2002, The Asia Foundation has supported a pioneering effort to promote social justice for women within an Islamic framework in South Asia. Designed and implemented by Muslim scholars and activists, this program has helped communities to...

Since 2002, The Asia Foundation has supported a pioneering effort to promote social justice for women within an Islamic framework in South Asia. Designed and implemented by Muslim scholars and activists, this program has helped communities to understand women's rights within Islam. Program activities have been led by highly respected religious leaders and local institutions and have helped to foster a network of influential religious leaders, scholars, and advocates – both men and women – who are committed to advancing women's rights across the region.

Advancing Entrepreneurship and Economic Opportunities for Small and Medium Businesses

The Asia Foundation has a decades-long history of supporting broad-based economic growth across Asia through both public and private...

Advancing Entrepreneurship and Economic Opportunities for Small and Medium Businesses

The Asia Foundation has a decades-long history of supporting broad-based economic growth across Asia through both public and private channels. Through its Economic Development programs, the Foundation has assisted micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in accessing the legal information, financing, business services, and skills they need to enhance their competitiveness and profitability, thereby helping to create jobs and reduce poverty.

The Asia Foundation maintains elections programs, including monitor and voter education, in nine countries in Asia. In recent years, the Foundation has implemented significant elections programs in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia,...

The Asia Foundation maintains elections programs, including monitor and voter education, in nine countries in Asia. In recent years, the Foundation has implemented significant elections programs in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, the Philippines, Pakistan, and Timor-Leste.

In November 2008 the Election Working Group (EWG) completed a twenty-first rapid assessment of citizen perception of recent events. This preliminary report focuses on citizen perceptions on issues related to the national election.

The...

In November 2008 the Election Working Group (EWG) completed a twenty-first rapid assessment of citizen perception of recent events. This preliminary report focuses on citizen perceptions on issues related to the national election.

The data reflect the situation in the last week of November 2008. The Asia Foundation and Data International Ltd. provided technical support. Conducted in 12 districts of the country (two in each of the six divisions), the perception study gathered impressions from a cross-section of ordinary citizens, civil society representatives, and local businesspersons through informal individual interviews in (i) each divisional headquarters and a proximate rural thana in the same district; and (ii) district headquarters of another randomly chosen district in each division and a proximate rural thana in the same district. A formal questionnaire with a mix of quantitative and qualitative questions was administered.

Summary: In November 2008 the Election Working Group (EWG) completed a twenty-first rapid assessment of citizen perception of recent events. This preliminary report focuses on citizen perceptions on issues related to the national...

Summary: In November 2008 the Election Working Group (EWG) completed a twenty-first rapid assessment of citizen perception of recent events. This preliminary report focuses on citizen perceptions on issues related to the national election.

The data reflect the situation in the last week of November 2008. The Asia Foundation and Data International Ltd. provided technical support. Conducted in 12 districts of the country (two in each of the six divisions), the perception study gathered impressions from a cross-section of ordinary citizens, civil society representatives, and local businesspersons through informal individual interviews in (i) each divisional headquarters and a proximate rural thana in the same district; and (ii) district headquarters of another randomly chosen district in each division and a proximate rural thana in the same district. A formal questionnaire with a mix of quantitative and qualitative questions was administered.

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 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.

A Measure of Economic Governance at the District Level (June 2010)

The Asia Foundation releases a pioneering survey ranking the business-friendliness in 19 districts in Bangladesh. 3,800 firms – many of them micro, small, and...

A Measure of Economic Governance at the District Level (June 2010)

The Asia Foundation releases a pioneering survey ranking the business-friendliness in 19 districts in Bangladesh. 3,800 firms – many of them micro, small, and medium-sized businesses – were polled on their perceptions of the local business environment, such as entry costs, transparency, informal charges, tax administration, and land security.

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.