The Asia Foundation

In order to understand how provinces are contributing to or preventing business growth, International Finance Corporation and The Asia Foundation have collaborated in developing the Provincial Business Environment Scorecard (PBES). PBES 2009...

In order to understand how provinces are contributing to or preventing business growth, International Finance Corporation and The Asia Foundation have collaborated in developing the Provincial Business Environment Scorecard (PBES). PBES 2009 ranks all 24 provinces on the quality of their economic governance. The PBES, which was first conducted in 2006 in 10 Cambodian provinces, and in 2009 covers all 24 provinces, relies largely on the perceptions of business leaders to generate a scorecard that ranks provinces on measures of business environment quality.

In order to understand how provinces are contributing to or preventing business growth, International Finance Corporation and The Asia Foundation have collaborated in developing the Provincial Business Environment Scorecard (PBES). PBES 2009...

In order to understand how provinces are contributing to or preventing business growth, International Finance Corporation and The Asia Foundation have collaborated in developing the Provincial Business Environment Scorecard (PBES). PBES 2009 ranks all 24 provinces on the quality of their economic governance. The PBES, which was first conducted in 2006 in 10 Cambodian provinces, and in 2009 covers all 24 provinces, relies largely on the perceptions of business leaders to generate a scorecard that ranks provinces on measures of business environment quality.

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.

The Asia Foundation's Women's Empowerment program opens up economic opportunities for women. Working with local partners, our projects provide women with the full range of tools they need to be productive and profitable, including job training...

The Asia Foundation's Women's Empowerment program opens up economic opportunities for women. Working with local partners, our projects provide women with the full range of tools they need to be productive and profitable, including job training and networking, access to credit, and business management training. Our projects also educate women workers on their rights and help them mobilize to reform discriminatory laws and demand fair and equal treatment in the workplace.

This paper utilizes a unique dataset of 500 firms in ten Cambodian provinces and a natural experiment to rigorously test one of the most important propositions in political economy; that the predictability of a corruption is more important for...

This paper utilizes a unique dataset of 500 firms in ten Cambodian provinces and a natural experiment to rigorously test one of the most important propositions in political economy; that the predictability of a corruption is more important for firm investment decisions than the amount of bribes a firm must pay, provided the bribes are not prohibitively expensive. We find persuasive evidence that this hypothesis is correct.

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.

The Asia Foundation supports economic reform programs to encourage sustainable market-led growth, poverty reduction, and private sector involvement in the policy reform process. Better policies will boost business growth and employment, and...

The Asia Foundation supports economic reform programs to encourage sustainable market-led growth, poverty reduction, and private sector involvement in the policy reform process. Better policies will boost business growth and employment, and help improve competitiveness and reduce poverty.
In Cambodia, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) dominate the economic landscape, particularly in the provinces. MSMEs owners are among those most affected by a poor business environment, consisting of opaque regulations, lack of information, and extensive costs associated with corruption and over-regulation. The Asia Foundation’s economic reform program in Cambodia supports reform of policy-making process, empowerment of the private sector— particularly provincial MSMEs and development of a more business-friendly environment. The program encourages increased transparency and greater competition to create appropriate incentives for investment and trade.

The Books for Asia program in Cambodia operated from 1955 to 1966, and resumed distribution in Cambodia in 1993. Since then, Books for Asia has annually distributed approximately 50,000 books to various Cambodian universities, schools,...

The Books for Asia program in Cambodia operated from 1955 to 1966, and resumed distribution in Cambodia in 1993. Since then, Books for Asia has annually distributed approximately 50,000 books to various Cambodian universities, schools, non-government organizations (NGOs), ministries, and government institutions open to the public. Since its inception in Cambodia, the Books for Asia program has distributed more than 600,000 books and journals. In the mid and late 1980s, the Books for Asia program provided books for Cambodian refugees in Site II (Aranyaprathet) and other camps on the Cambodian-Thai border. These book donations were especially important to the educational institutions established in the camps to serve the education needs of Cambodian refugees. In a country where communities were devastated during the Khmer Rouge period and most educational resources were destroyed, books donated by The Asia Foundation have served as a valued resource for readers and their research.

Commitment is growing among small Cambodian business owners to strengthen their own network as well as their relationship with the public sector, as demonstrated by the large turnout and vigorous participation of business owners who came...

Commitment is growing among small Cambodian business owners to strengthen their own network as well as their relationship with the public sector, as demonstrated by the large turnout and vigorous participation of business owners who came together for the cross-provincial meeting at the Sovana Phum Hotel in Kampong Chhnang on March, 28, 2007.

This report looks back at a decade of trafficking-related research in Cambodia. It systematically reviews what the available information can—and cannot—tell us about the patterns, extent and consequences of trafficking in Cambodia...

This report looks back at a decade of trafficking-related research in Cambodia. It systematically reviews what the available information can—and cannot—tell us about the patterns, extent and consequences of trafficking in Cambodia (and in relation to its neighboring countries). This also involves a critical assessment of the major approaches, perspectives and debates that have guided the research; the ways in which the studies were conducted; and the extent to which specific research findings can be generalized to Cambodia as a whole, taking into account the limits of the targeted groups, sectors and locations.

Market-led economic growth is a proven, effective means of reducing poverty. In Cambodia, the best way to achieve economic growth is to encourage the expansion of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), which dominate the economic...

Market-led economic growth is a proven, effective means of reducing poverty. In Cambodia, the best way to achieve economic growth is to encourage the expansion of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), which dominate the economic landscape. The large majority of MSMEs are located in the provinces. At present, little is being done to improve the business environment for rural MSMEs. MSME owners are among the worst affected by opaque regulations, lack of information, and costs associated with corruption and over-regulation. The Asia Foundation’s economic reform program in Cambodia focuses on supporting the policymaking process of reform, empowerment of the private sector, particularly provincial MSMEs, and developing a more business-friendly environment.

Whether it is the ability of governments and non-governmental organizations to inform populations on important issues such as HIV/AIDS, environmental protection, and human trafficking, the ability of small business owners and farmers to access...

Whether it is the ability of governments and non-governmental organizations to inform populations on important issues such as HIV/AIDS, environmental protection, and human trafficking, the ability of small business owners and farmers to access essential information on markets, or the ability of citizens to make informed decisions at the ballot box and hold government accountable, the efficient flow of information is essential to a country's economic, political, and social development. In Cambodia, The Asia Foundation has worked to vastly expand access to information for citizens and local organizations, with various projects around the country.

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.

The US Long Term International Observation Group (LTOG) was made up of fifteen international observers who were deployed in the provinces from May 20-Aug.15, 2003. The observation mission was administered by The Asia Foundation, and was part...

The US Long Term International Observation Group (LTOG) was made up of fifteen international observers who were deployed in the provinces from May 20-Aug.15, 2003. The observation mission was administered by The Asia Foundation, and was part of the US Government's contribution to the 2003 Cambodian National Assembly Election held on July 27, 2003. The observers monitored all provinces (except for Phnom Penh) during the pre-campaign period, the campaign period, polling and counting, and the post-election environment.

This report presents the findings of the second national opinion survey of the Cambodian population conducted on behalf of the Asia Foundation. The aim of this nationally representative survey, which is a follow-up to a similar poll conducted...

This report presents the findings of the second national opinion survey of the Cambodian population conducted on behalf of the Asia Foundation. The aim of this nationally representative survey, which is a follow-up to a similar poll conducted in 2000, is to provide detailed information on the knowledge and attitudes of Cambodian voters, so that NGOs and other providers of voter education can more accurately plan their efforts. The survey also repeated a variety of questions from the first survey, which provide measures of the progress of democratization in Cambodia and the impact of voter education projects. A democracy assessment survey.

Project Director and Editor: Tim Meisburger, The Asia Foundation

Questionnaire and Report By: Craig Charney, Steve Hopkins, Charney Research

Technical Training Assistance: ACNielsen Indonesia

Research and Fieldwork: The Center for Advanced Study

It is estimated that one in four women in Cambodia is a victim of domestic violence. To address this serious problem, The Asia Foundation’s Global Women in Politics (GWIP) program supported street theater productions to raise awareness...

It is estimated that one in four women in Cambodia is a victim of domestic violence. To address this serious problem, The Asia Foundation’s Global Women in Politics (GWIP) program supported street theater productions to raise awareness about violence against women and women’s legal rights in Cambodia.