"The floods in Pakistan have affected one-fifth of the country and engulfed large parts of all four provinces -- Punjab, Balochistan, Sindh and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. The vast scope of the damage makes this a truly national disaster with long-term economic and political consequences. The immediate impact on the population is truly staggering -- 20 million people affected with 8 million in need of water, food and shelter; 1500-2000 killed; 4 million left homeless; and 15 million displaced.

The devastation has hit virtually all sectors of the economy. The Pakistan government estimates total economic damage to be near $15 billion, or about 10 percent of GDP. Damage to infrastructure alone amounts to around $10 billion. How quickly the country recovers from the floods will depend not on the generosity of foreign donors, although this will be important, but on the ability of the Pakistan government to generate the domestic resources and public support to undertake massive reconstruction."

"The outlook for Fiji appears increasingly grim as the economy falters under heavy government debt. Although Fiji's government predicts 1.8% growth this year, a 0.5% contraction is more likely. The IMF forecasts foreign direct investment this year will be $264 million, down 36% compared with 2006.

Some 40% of Fiji's population of 850,000 lives below the poverty line. Export earnings from two of Fiji's main industries have collapsed, with the once-thriving sugar sector hamstrung by poor management and garment manufacturers unable to compete with global players, analysts say. Government debt has ballooned to 70% of gross domestic product, well above the ADB's 40% target for developing countries."

"Three numbers should suffice to give Chinese economic policy makers a sleepless night: 65.4 million, $28.7 billion and $2.45 trillion. In order, they are the estimate by a government researcher of how many apartments stand vacant in China, many of them bought as speculative investments; the country's trade surplus in July; and the international reserves the central bank has accumulated as it holds down the value of the renminbi.

China needs to rely more on household spending. Many experts are confident that a pragmatic China will succeed in making the transition in the coming decade to a new economic model anchored by urban-based consumption, technological improvements and a greater role for market forces. Doubters say that China has waited too long to wean itself off investment-heavy exports."

"Amid the frustratingly slow pace of seaport improvement, stalled toll road projects and crumbling highways outside Java, very encouraging developments have taken place in the railway sector, which will significantly change the economic landscapes in South Sumatra, and Central and East Kalimantan. A $1 billion, 130-kilometer railway project is under final preparations for construction in East Kalimantan.

The first private railway in Indonesia will link the Muara Wahau coal mine in East Kutai regency with a new seaport terminal. The infrastructure will open up many new development areas in the three provinces, which together account for more than 80 percent of the country's thermal coal output. The biggest challenge now is to see to it that the construction will run smoothly so that the three projects can become a confidence-building block for other regional administrations in wooing investment."

"More companies are using their business operations to make active contributions in solving problems in developing countries, such as poverty and pollution. A growing wave of interest in the new business model known as BOP (bottom of the pyramid) deserves attention. Essential for the success of a BOP business is gaining support and cooperation from local residents. This requires a deep understanding of the local problems and needs.

A BOP business is essentially a social business aimed at promoting public interest through profitable operations, instead of social contributions like donations. Since there are limits on what individual companies can do on their own, it is also vital to build a network of parties concerned, including nongovernmental organizations and public aid agencies."

"The Bangladesh government is set to formulate a law on disaster management. The aim is to reduce casualties and asset damages by developing skills on disaster management. The government is purchasing marine rescue boats, mobile ambulances, megaphones, flashlights, boats and different kinds of equipment to track and rescue disaster victims and to reduce its risk.

The cost of the equipment will be financed by the World Bank's emergency 2007 cyclone recovery and restoration project which will be implemented under disaster management bureau. These items and equipment will be distributed among the disaster management committee of costal area and volunteers of cyclone preparation program."

"Toll Royal Railway is planning to spend up to $81 million to import new trains as part of the multi-million-dollar railway upgrade of Cambodia's major freight routes. The main rationale for the railway upgrade is to develop a more cost-effective freight system. It is also the first step to ease the amount of heavy transportation damaging roads.

Funding is being provided to upgrade the 254-kilometre line from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville town, a 388-kilometre line from Phnom Penh to Poipet and a 48-kilometre line from Poipet to Sisophon. A 'spur' is expected to be added to the rail line in Sihanoukville to link it to the nearby port."

"India's economy probably grew at the fastest pace in 2 1/2 years, adding pressure on the central bank to raise interest rates even as the global recovery falters. Exports account for less than a fifth of India's GDP, and rising wages and consumer spending are sheltering Asia's third- biggest economy from slowing growth in the U.S., China and Japan.

The Reserve Bank of India said last week its priority is to reduce inflation, even after the most aggressive round of monetary policy tightening in the region. India's $1.3 trillion economy may expand 8.5 percent in the year ending March 31, the most in three years, the central bank estimated on July 27. The benchmark wholesale-price inflation rate has hovered around or above 10 percent since January."

"Agriculture and health experts must work together to tackle disease, poverty and malnutrition, says development experts. The relationship between agriculture and health may seem intuitive and simple -- grow more crops and people will have more food and live healthier lives. But because agriculture and health policies are rarely coordinated, the reality is far more complex.

The truth is that despite a huge increase in agricultural productivity and food availability over the past 50 years, and falling food prices, about a billion people remain chronically undernourished. At the same time, production of cheap refined cereals, sugars and fats is contributing to urban diets that are energy dense and nutrient poor, leading to rapidly growing rates of obesity and diabetes, and associated chronic diseases. This dietary transition is now being seen in countries like China and India."

"Public-private partnership (PPP) will anchor the Philippine government's new development roadmap for micro, small and medium enterprises. While the SME Development Plan 2004-2010 spurred partnership efforts between the government and the private sector as well as made more Filipinos aware of entrepreneurship as an alternative source of livelihood, some targets of the previous plan were not attained.

The MSME Development Plan 2010-2016, which is undergoing consultations with stakeholders and is expected to be finished within the year, is a continuation of the SME Development Plan. The new plan, which would also cover micro enterprises, shall include a micro-credit financing scheme."

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