Since the beginning of 2017, a paradigm change in international trade policy is observed. While the protectionist agendas are on the rise, the EU and Japan signed an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) on 17 July 2018. It is the most ambitious agreement of the EU with any Asian state. The study...

Over the last two decades, the number of social assistance programmes has increased across South Asia, as changes in government policies and unprecedented economic growth have led to greater domestic attention to poverty alleviation and social exclusion. This report provides a critical review of...

This study examines the variations within Asia of two exceptions to patent rights that are commonly justified under Article 30 of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Trade-related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (the TRIPS Agreement), namely the research and experimentation...

Many South Asian countries experienced changes in government and strong economic growth since the early 2000s. Poverty and social exclusion have received growing attention, and many governments in the region strengthened their commitments to ensure equal access to basic healthcare, education and...

This Research Report summarises an analysis of 51 non-contributory social protection programmes led by central government in the eight countries of South Asia. The sample manages to capture the flagship initiatives of national systems, providing a broad overview of current relevant social...

This report documents the ongoing policy responses to the COVID-19 crisis in South Asia and lessons that can be drawn for the future of social protection in the region. It discusses the epidemiological evolution of the disease and the containment measures adopted, the channels through which the...

As policymakers gradually (re-)assess social protection systems in the wider context of recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, it is becoming increasingly important to have clear information on country-level programmes. This Research Report examines the country's existing non-contributory (social...

When the Intellectual Property Bill designed to secure compliance with the Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights ("TRIPS Agreement") was challenged in the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka, the Court determined that the patenting of naturally occurring microorganisms by...