Recent Working Papers

* The ADBI Working Paper series is a continuation of the formerly named Discussion Paper series; the numbering of the papers has continued without interruption or change.

Reconstruction after a Major Disaster: Lessons from the Post-Tsunami Experience in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Thailand
Authors: Sisira Jayasuriya, Peter McCawley

This paper examines several aspects of the rehabilitation and reconstruction program that followed the 2004 tsunami in Asia, in which nearly 230,000 people died. The authors focus on two main issues: aid delivery arrangements and reconstruction policy following the disaster.

Read Working Paper 125.

Does Organic Agriculture Lead to Better Health among Poor Farmers? An Investigation of Health Expenditure among Organic and Conventional Farmers in Thailand
Authors: Rouselle F. Lavado, Sununtar Setboonsarng

For poor farmers in developing countries, inappropriate use of pesticides is known to be a serious problem. The authors found health expenditures among conventional farmers to be 56% higher than among organic farmers. Their investigation suggests that organic agriculture as a development strategy might lead to improved health, one of the foundations to sustainable poverty reduction.

Read Working Paper 129.

Transport Infrastructure and Trade Facilitation in the Greater Mekong Subregion
Author: Anna Strutt, Susan Stone

As trade is an important driver of growth and infrastructure is necessary for trade, infrastructure development plays a key role in economic development. This study aims to quantify potential benefits, such as a reduction in transport costs and improvements in trade facilitation, of the development of the economic transport corridors, and implementation of the Cross- Border Transport Agreement in the Greater Mekong Subregion.

Read Working Paper 130.

Agricultural Impact of Climate Change: A General Equilibrium Analysis with Special Reference to Southeast Asia
Author: Juzhong Zhuang, Fan Zhai

This paper assesses the economic effects of climate change on Southeast Asian countries through 2080. The results suggest that for the region to cope with the potential agricultural damages arising from expected changes in climate, it must concentrate on reversing its current trend of declining agricultural productivity.

Read Working Paper 131.