The Asia Foundation

This guide has been developed to help civil society groups understand and analyze government budgets as a first step towards engaging in such dialogue. The guide can be used to facilitate budget literacy trainings and to help civil society...

This guide has been developed to help civil society groups understand and analyze government budgets as a first step towards engaging in such dialogue. The guide can be used to facilitate budget literacy trainings and to help civil society organizations engage in budget analysis on their own following training. It may also be useful to new parliamentarians, who often are not given formal budget training, despite their responsibility to enact the budget in most countries. While basic information on budgets is covered, this guide has been specifically modified for consideration of the tehsil level budget in Pakistan. This manual does not cover analysis of other local government budgets (such as union or district), nor does it include analysis of provincial and national budgets.

Occasional Paper No. 4, October 2010

To examine the critical issues surrounding the global challenge of food security, The Asia Foundation joined with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO),...

Occasional Paper No. 4, October 2010

To examine the critical issues surrounding the global challenge of food security, The Asia Foundation joined with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) for a major conference, "Food for All: Investment Forum for Food Security in Asia and the Pacific," at the ADB headquarters in Manila from July 7-9, 2010. Douglas Bereuter, president of The Asia Foundation, moderated a key plenary session on "Fostering Food Security Through Regional Cooperation and Integration." Eminent food security economist Peter Timmer laid out the challenges, opportunities, and likely action points for achieving shared food security. We are pleased to reproduce his remarks in this, the fourth in our continuing series of Occasional Papers.

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.

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.

From March to April 2008, The Asia Foundation conducted a qualitative assessment of local economic governance in Sri Lanka's Eastern Province. This Policy Brief presents the assessment's main findings and resulting policy implications. Local...

From March to April 2008, The Asia Foundation conducted a qualitative assessment of local economic governance in Sri Lanka's Eastern Province. This Policy Brief presents the assessment's main findings and resulting policy implications. Local economic policies and the conduct of local government officials shape the enabling environment for private sector dynamism and sustained economic growth. In Sri Lanka's Eastern Province, which has been affected by civil war for over two decades, economic growth is particularly critical to its recovery. The overall purpose of this assessment was therefore to provide local government officials, the business community, and the general public with relevant information about major impediments in the business environment in the Eastern Province as a starting point for policy discussions and reform.

A Case Study of Bangladesh

Occasional Paper No. 1, July 2010

In the midst of the recent financial and economic crisis, factory owners in Bangladesh showed remarkable confidence in the future of their industry in Bangladesh....

A Case Study of Bangladesh

Occasional Paper No. 1, July 2010

In the midst of the recent financial and economic crisis, factory owners in Bangladesh showed remarkable confidence in the future of their industry in Bangladesh. But, if the country wants to expand and remain competitive, this paper finds, it will need to make investments in human capital and technology, rather than just reduce input costs. The paper offers policy recommendations to improve efficiency at the factory level and suggests reforms to the business environment that could provide an overall boost to the economy as a whole. Research for this paper included extensive interviews with factory workers and government officials, and seven focus-group discussions with 33 factory workers.

Dr. Sanchita Banerjee Saxena, Associate Director, Center for South Asia Studies, University of California, Berkeley, Véronique Salze-Lozac'h, Regional Director for Economic Programs, The Asia Foundation

Occasional Paper No. 3, September 2010

This paper sketches out the operational features of emerging political economy-based approaches to sectoral economic policy reform. Section 1 traces some of the literature on the political...

Occasional Paper No. 3, September 2010

This paper sketches out the operational features of emerging political economy-based approaches to sectoral economic policy reform. Section 1 traces some of the literature on the political economy analysis of reforms. Section 2 outlines the international development community’s increasing recognition of the political economy aspects of economic governance, and their efforts to undertake sharper political economy analysis of reform challenges. Finally, in Section 3 the paper identifies elements of operational reform approaches that move beyond disengaged political economy analysis towards on-the-ground implementation of political strategies in policy reform processes.

V. Bruce J. Tolentino, Director, Economic Reform and Development, The Asia Foundation

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.

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.

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. 5, March 2011

A review of the basic theoretical and programmatic rationale for the series of Economic Governance Indices (EGIs) conducted by The Asia Foundation in countries throughout South and Southeast Asia,...

Occasional Paper No. 5, March 2011

A review of the basic theoretical and programmatic rationale for the series of Economic Governance Indices (EGIs) conducted by The Asia Foundation in countries throughout South and Southeast Asia, including Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Indonesia.

The performance of Indonesia's logistics sector is still below that of neighboring countries in Asia. This study aims to identify problems in the logistics sector in the Province of East Nusa Tenggara (Nusa Tenggara Timur, NTT). This study...

The performance of Indonesia's logistics sector is still below that of neighboring countries in Asia. This study aims to identify problems in the logistics sector in the Province of East Nusa Tenggara (Nusa Tenggara Timur, NTT). This study covers land and maritime transportation (harbors and ferries) as well as regulatory aspects, for trade both within NTT (inter-island) and between NTT and other regions (inter-province).

The performance of Indonesia's logistics sector is still below that of neighboring countries in Asia. This study aims to identify problems in the logistics sector in the Province of East Nusa Tenggara (Nusa Tenggara Timur, NTT). This study...

The performance of Indonesia's logistics sector is still below that of neighboring countries in Asia. This study aims to identify problems in the logistics sector in the Province of East Nusa Tenggara (Nusa Tenggara Timur, NTT). This study covers land and maritime transportation (harbors and ferries) as well as regulatory aspects, for trade both within NTT (inter-island) and between NTT and other regions (inter-province).

Occasional Paper No. 8, November 2011

A brief paper that examines the institutional and programmatic challenges involved in implementing rigorous impact evaluation through the experience of The Asia Foundation.

This paper was...

Occasional Paper No. 8, November 2011

A brief paper that examines the institutional and programmatic challenges involved in implementing rigorous impact evaluation through the experience of The Asia Foundation.

This paper was also included in the International Conference on U.S.-Korea Dialogue on Strategies for Effective Development Cooperation held on October 17-18, 2011 in Seoul, Korea.

The Malaysia Business Environment Index (BEI) Pilot Study 2012 is the first survey that investigates firms' perceptions about the business environment at the district level. Utilizing data collected from 635 small and medium-sized firms, the...

The Malaysia Business Environment Index (BEI) Pilot Study 2012 is the first survey that investigates firms' perceptions about the business environment at the district level. Utilizing data collected from 635 small and medium-sized firms, the BEI is a composite of nine sub-indices which measure the business environment in 11 city and municipal districts across six states in peninsula Malaysia, and ranks them against each other based on a 100-point scale. The nine sub-indices have been structured to capture the key elements of the local business environment that can be influenced by district regulations or district implementation of federal and state policies.

(In Vietnamese) The "Agricultural Cooperatives Manual" is a product of an Asia Foundation project to enhance capacity of rural cooperatives to respond effectively to the economic and development needs of their communities conducted between...

(In Vietnamese) The "Agricultural Cooperatives Manual" is a product of an Asia Foundation project to enhance capacity of rural cooperatives to respond effectively to the economic and development needs of their communities conducted between 2010 and 2012. The manual includes an analysis of Vietnam's legal documents on cooperatives, development of agricultural cooperatives in Vietnam, and international models of agricultural cooperatives.

Occasional Paper No. 14, June 2012

The Prospects of Economic Development in Afghanistan is one of a series of analytical papers on The Asia Foundation's recently released public-opinion survey, Afghanistan in 2011: A Survey of the...

Occasional Paper No. 14, June 2012

The Prospects of Economic Development in Afghanistan is one of a series of analytical papers on The Asia Foundation's recently released public-opinion survey, Afghanistan in 2011: A Survey of the Afghan People. The series of essays provide detailed analysis of the survey data on the opinions and perceptions of Afghans toward government, public policy, democracy, and political and social change as interpreted by specialists who have in-depth knowledge of the region. This paper provides detailed analysis of the survey data on economic development and the role of government in Afghanistan.

Financial Management Training Modules: This series of four training modules is designed to provide the teaching and learning materials for training modules for LA officials in Financial Management. Each module kit contains...

Financial Management Training Modules: This series of four training modules is designed to provide the teaching and learning materials for training modules for LA officials in Financial Management. Each module kit contains printed resource material for trainers and participants, visual-aid material for trainers (such as power-point presentations on CD), learning exercises and simulations for trainers to use in workshops, and relevant computer software applications (such as Excel spreadsheets, on CD), to support a two-day workshop. Each module is available separately in Sinhala and Tamil from The Asia Foundation and the Sri Lanka Institute of Local Governance (SLILG).

• Module 1 – Financial Reporting and Cash Management
• Module 2 – Revenue Enhancement
• Module 3 – Grant Management and Donor Relations
• Module 4 – Office Management

(Tamil Version) This publication is intended to serve as a guide to clarify services provided by the Central Environmental Authority (CEA). It provides a detailed outline of the legalities, fees, application process, timeline and recourse...

(Tamil Version) This publication is intended to serve as a guide to clarify services provided by the Central Environmental Authority (CEA). It provides a detailed outline of the legalities, fees, application process, timeline and recourse available for a broad range of CEA services. The results of a recent survey sponsored by the Asia Foundation indicated that information of this type was not readily available to the public in a simple and comprehensive manner. This Guide Book seeks to clarify step-by-step what is involved in obtaining an environmental protection license, or the process of obtaining site approval, for example. It seeks to inform members of the public and business community about the services, authority, and responsibilities of the CEA and its role in improving the conditions for economic growth and creating an enabling environment for small and medium enterprises to flourish in Sri Lanka. The Guide Book is available in English, Sinhala and Tamil.

(Sinhala Version) This publication is intended to serve as a guide to clarify services provided by the Central Environmental Authority (CEA). It provides a detailed outline of the legalities, fees, application process, timeline and recourse...

(Sinhala Version) This publication is intended to serve as a guide to clarify services provided by the Central Environmental Authority (CEA). It provides a detailed outline of the legalities, fees, application process, timeline and recourse available for a broad range of CEA services. The results of a recent survey sponsored by the Asia Foundation indicated that information of this type was not readily available to the public in a simple and comprehensive manner. This Guide Book seeks to clarify step-by-step what is involved in obtaining an environmental protection license, or the process of obtaining site approval, for example. It seeks to inform members of the public and business community about the services, authority, and responsibilities of the CEA and its role in improving the conditions for economic growth and creating an enabling environment for small and medium enterprises to flourish in Sri Lanka. The Guide Book is available in English, Sinhala and Tamil.

This publication is intended to serve as a guide to clarify services provided by the Central Environmental Authority (CEA). It provides a detailed outline of the legalities, fees, application process, timeline and recourse available for a...

This publication is intended to serve as a guide to clarify services provided by the Central Environmental Authority (CEA). It provides a detailed outline of the legalities, fees, application process, timeline and recourse available for a broad range of CEA services. The results of a recent survey sponsored by the Asia Foundation indicated that information of this type was not readily available to the public in a simple and comprehensive manner. This Guide Book seeks to clarify step-by-step what is involved in obtaining an environmental protection license, or the process of obtaining site approval, for example. It seeks to inform members of the public and business community about the services, authority, and responsibilities of the CEA and its role in improving the conditions for economic growth and creating an enabling environment for small and medium enterprises to flourish in Sri Lanka. The Guide Book is available in English, Sinhala and Tamil.

(Tamil Version) This publication is intended to serve as a guide to clarify local government services provided by the Board of Investment (BOI). It provides a detailed outline of the legalities, eligibility, fees, application process, timeline...

(Tamil Version) This publication is intended to serve as a guide to clarify local government services provided by the Board of Investment (BOI). It provides a detailed outline of the legalities, eligibility, fees, application process, timeline and recourse available for a broad range of BOI services. The results of a recent survey sponsored by The Asia Foundation indicated that information of this type was not readily available to the public in a simple and comprehensive manner. This Guide Book seeks to clarify step-by-step what is involved in obtaining an environmental license, or the process of obtaining approval for factory buildings, for example. It seeks to inform members of the public and business community about the services, authority, and responsibilities of the BOI and its role in improving the conditions for economic growth and creating an enabling environment for small and medium enterprises to flourish in Sri Lanka. The guide book is available in English, Sinhala and Tamil.

(Sinhala Version) This publication is intended to serve as a guide to clarify local government services provided by the Board of Investment (BOI). It provides a detailed outline of the legalities, eligibility, fees, application process,...

(Sinhala Version) This publication is intended to serve as a guide to clarify local government services provided by the Board of Investment (BOI). It provides a detailed outline of the legalities, eligibility, fees, application process, timeline and recourse available for a broad range of BOI services. The results of a recent survey sponsored by The Asia Foundation indicated that information of this type was not readily available to the public in a simple and comprehensive manner. This Guide Book seeks to clarify step-by-step what is involved in obtaining an environmental license, or the process of obtaining approval for factory buildings, for example. It seeks to inform members of the public and business community about the services, authority, and responsibilities of the BOI and its role in improving the conditions for economic growth and creating an enabling environment for small and medium enterprises to flourish in Sri Lanka. The guide book is available in English, Sinhala and Tamil.

This publication is intended to serve as a guide to clarify local government services provided by the Board of Investment (BOI). It provides a detailed outline of the legalities, eligibility, fees, application process, timeline and recourse...

This publication is intended to serve as a guide to clarify local government services provided by the Board of Investment (BOI). It provides a detailed outline of the legalities, eligibility, fees, application process, timeline and recourse available for a broad range of BOI services. The results of a recent survey sponsored by The Asia Foundation indicated that information of this type was not readily available to the public in a simple and comprehensive manner. This Guide Book seeks to clarify step-by-step what is involved in obtaining an environmental license, or the process of obtaining approval for factory buildings, for example. It seeks to inform members of the public and business community about the services, authority, and responsibilities of the BOI and its role in improving the conditions for economic growth and creating an enabling environment for small and medium enterprises to flourish in Sri Lanka. The guide book is available in English, Sinhala and Tamil.

(Tamil Version) This publication is intended to serve as a guide to clarify local government services provided by district secretariats. It provides a detailed outline of the legalities, eligibility, fees, application process, timeline and...

(Tamil Version) This publication is intended to serve as a guide to clarify local government services provided by district secretariats. It provides a detailed outline of the legalities, eligibility, fees, application process, timeline and recourse available for a broad range of district secretariat services. The results of a survey sponsored by The Asia Foundation indicated that information of this type was not readily available to the public in a simple and comprehensive manner. This Guide Book seeks to clarify step-by-step what is involved in obtaining an extract from a voters list, or the process of obtaining a driving license, for example. It seeks to inform members of the public and business community about the services, authority, and responsibilities of district secretariats and their role in improving the conditions for economic growth and creating an enabling environment for small and medium enterprises to flourish in every district secretariat area in Sri Lanka. The Guide Book is available in English, Sinhala and Tamil.

(Sinhala Version) This publication is intended to serve as a guide to clarify local government services provided by district secretariats. It provides a detailed outline of the legalities, eligibility, fees, application process, timeline and...

(Sinhala Version) This publication is intended to serve as a guide to clarify local government services provided by district secretariats. It provides a detailed outline of the legalities, eligibility, fees, application process, timeline and recourse available for a broad range of district secretariat services. The results of a survey sponsored by The Asia Foundation indicated that information of this type was not readily available to the public in a simple and comprehensive manner. This Guide Book seeks to clarify step-by-step what is involved in obtaining an extract from a voters list, or the process of obtaining a driving license, for example. It seeks to inform members of the public and business community about the services, authority, and responsibilities of district secretariats and their role in improving the conditions for economic growth and creating an enabling environment for small and medium enterprises to flourish in every district secretariat area in Sri Lanka. The Guide Book is available in English, Sinhala and Tamil.