This study examines the potential of remittances for promoting economic growth and reducing poverty in Asian countries using data for more than 20 countries in the region for 1988-2007. The results indicate that remittances positively affect home country real gross domestic product (GDP) per...

This publication describes further progress of ongoing and recently undertaken initiatives for the Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative (PSDI). It highlights the issues and many of the encouraging outcomes resulting from earlier efforts. It also explores issues expected to emerge in the...

This report investigates urbanization trends across the 14 Pacific developing member countries of the Asian Development Bank. It examines the history of Pacific urbanization, current state of infrastructure and service provision within urban areas, and systems of urban governance. It presents...

This urban development sector assessment, strategy, and road map documents the strategic investment priorities of the Government of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). It identifies the three priority areas: (i) strengthening of urban, regional, and...

This urban development sector assessment, strategy, and road map (ASR) documents the strategic investment priorities of the Government of Viet Nam and the Asian Development Bank. The ASR has identified three priority areas: (i) development of corridor cities and towns to contribute to the...

This report summarizes key results from a 2012 survey of businesses in Papua New Guinea. It compares the results with the 2002 and 2007 surveys and shows that, while the business environment has improved since 2002, doing business in Papua New Guinea remains extremely challenging. Continued...

Access to improved water supply and sanitation results in economic development and poverty reduction, ensures food safety and better livelihoods, preserves the environment, reduces health burden, and empowers communities and provides opportunities for women. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has...

Ensuring a secure supply of food is essential, given the world’s (and especially Asia’s) growing population, high and volatile food prices, increasingly scarce resources, and changing environment. This paper discusses the drivers behind food insecurity in Asia and points to ways to mitigate...