Feature Archive

Managing Capital Flows Seminar

Capital inflows to Asia have been reduced recently due to the US subprime loan problem. Once US financial stability is restored and the credit crunch eases, capital inflows to Asia will likely resume in a big way, posing serious policy challenges. Results of an ADBI study on this topic were presented at a seminar at ADB's annual meeting on 3 May.

Organic Crops or Energy Crops?

Demand for safe food and the rising price of oil are causing poor farmers to switch to organic agriculture or biofuel crops. A new study in Cambodia and Lao PDR discusses these two farming activities, the economic benefit to the farmers, and the impact on health, poverty reduction, the environment and sustainable development. Download the report for free.

Macroeconomic Management Amid Ethnic Diversity

Given the multiracial nature of Malaysian society, macroeconomic policy has been about stabilizing the economy and addressing income disparities along racial lines to preserve social harmony. A recent paper discusses key lessons of achieving conflicting objectives of growth and equity in a small open economy. Download the paper and post a comment.

Harmonizing Rules of Origin

Where is a product made? Rules of origin (ROO) are complicated by globalization and the way a product can be processed in several countries before it is ready for the market. A recent workshop analyzed ROO components and explored ways to simplify and harmonize ROO for the existing as well as new regional trade agreements. Read the workshop opening remarks.

Managing Capital Flows: The Case of Malaysia

How can governments deal with increasingly volatile capital flows? Strong economic fundamentals and a global search for yields will continue to shift more capital into Asia. Our recent research reviews policies taken to address capital flows in Malaysia from 1999 to 2007 and offers recommendations for managing capital flows. Download the study.

Integrated Water Resources

Integrated water resources management is key for the equitable and sustainable use of water resources. But it needs partnerships for actions. ADB and the Japan Water Agency partner with the Network of Asian River Basin Organizations(NARBO) to share knowledge and build capacity in the region. Read about NARBO and view the materials from their recent meeting.

Partnership in Poverty Reduction: Contract Farming

In emerging economies in the Greater Mekong Sub-Region close to 90% of the poor are smallholders who depend on agriculture for their livelihood. A recent ADBI study examines contract farming in Lao PDR and Cambodia and points to farming of organic crops as a promising option for poor farmers as the practice is consistent with traditional practices and has lower health and environmental risks. Read the study.

Managing Capital Flows: The Philippines

What factors determine capital flows? Currencies in the region are reacting to the weakness of the US dollar, and global uncertainties have contributed to weak investment which is another reason behind the current account surplus of several economies including the Philippines. This study analyzes the impact of foreign exchange inflows and the policy responses in the Philippines. Download the study and post a comment.

Moving from Subsistence to Commercial Agriculture

Contract farming is emerging as a tool to facilitate market linkages and provide support for small farms to switch to commercial production. Using data from household surveys in Lao PDR, this study assesses the potential of contract farming as a development tool to increase small farm incomes and reduce rural poverty. Download the study and post a comment.

Managing Capital Flows: The Case of Korea

The Republic of Korea has recently experienced huge capital flows, with gross flows increasing almost 38 times between 1980 and 2006. In this new paper, part of the “Managing Capital Flows: Search for a Model” project, the authors investigate the effects of capital inflows on the Korean economy, paying particular attention to asset prices. Download the paper.

Optimizing ICT for Education: What Works, What Doesn't and In What Circumstances

A recent ADBI/ADB HQ workshop raised awareness of the importance of ICT skills for national development. Experts discussed the need to integrate and take advantage of the benefits of ICT for education quality and delivery to ensure better access to education for all. Read the workshop summary and download the papers.

Evolving Regional Financial Architecture

The financial crisis and contagion revealed how closely financial systems and economic conditions were inter-connected across East Asia. A new policy brief explores the progress of recent financial cooperation initiatives in the region, new opportunities provided, and possible evolution of a new regional financial architecture. Download the paper and post a comment.

Challenges for Asia

Haruhiko Kuroda, ADB President gave his perspectives on Asia's strengths and vulnerabilities in light of current global economic realities, discussed the progress of Asian regional cooperation and integration, and shared his thoughts on the challenges of environmental sustainability and climate change at the "Challenges for the Asian Economy in 2008 and Beyond" symposium. Read the speech.

Challenges for the Asian Economy in 2008 and Beyond

Haruhiko Kuroda, ADB President will deliver a speech on emerging opportunities and challenges for the Asian economy, sources of new growth, the engine of growth in Asia and the effect of Asia's emerging powerhouses—the PRC and India. In particular, he will focus on climate change and environmental issues. Register now.

Cross-border Infrastructure

Better inter-connectivity of regional infrastructure has led to greater intra-regional trade in goods and services as well as promoting community building within the region. Participants at a recent workshop learnt about the costs and benefits of cross-border infrastructure projects, their impacts, and best practices in managing the infrastructure networks. Read the summary and download the papers and presentations.

An East Asian Economic Community?

Are deeper integration in trade, investment and finance, and the further institutionalization of that integration mutually reinforcing? How can East Asia use its regional integration as an engine of deeper global integration? A recent ADBI paper addresses these questions and suggests policy directions for greater regional economic cooperation. Read the paper and post a comment.

100 Tips 100 Tools for Better Governed NGOs

Our latest publication is a quick reference of ten sets of tips and online tools on common topics related to international and domestic laws and governance principles affecting the civil society sector. Download the book for free and post a comment.