ASEAN Services Liberalization Beyond 2015: Assessment and Recommendations
This report presents recommendations for approaches to and provisions for the liberalization of trade in an ASEAN Trade in Services Agreement (ATISA).
Empowering Grassroots Women in Burma
The message of women’s economic empowerment is gaining force all over the world, but the challenge of helping the most vulnerable women achieve true income and food security remains daunting. As part of its efforts to promote women-owned SME growth … Read More
What do we know about private sector / economic development programmes in Small Island Development States?
The aim of this research is to identify common traits among initiatives that have sought to stimulate economic growth through private sector participation in Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The identified opportunities include donor-funded initiatives and Government-sponsored projects.
Women’s Entrepreneurship in APEC (WE-APEC) Initiative
This document summarizes trends, opportunities, and gaps observed in a review of how women entrepreneurs in all 21 APEC economies are served, supported, and strengthened through business networks, private sector initiatives, and government services. The report also highlights good practices … Read More
If rural areas were to be the target for donor programmes to create economic opportunities for those unable to make a living from primary agricultural production, what is the evidence on the best entry points?
This paper attempts to provide systematic evidence on how activities can serve as entry points to relieve development bottlenecks, whether it is an introduction of a new cash crop or upgrading existing crops.
Should local market centres, second and third tier cities be the target for donor programmes and how should they create local economic opportunities?
This paper examines market centres and second/third tier cities that are: i) close to rural areas; and ii) not major economic centres. These types of urban areas are offering the most opportunities for informal sector employment, mostly in the form … Read More
The intersection of agricultural and financial markets
This report highlights the importance of agriculture to economies and how reliant those in a chronic cycle of poverty are on agriculture for their livelihoods. As a result, financial services need to be obtainable for the rural poor so they … Read More
APEC Women and The Economy Dashboard: Introduction and Analysis
The ministers of the 21-member Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) organization recognize that data, particularly disaggregated by sex, are essential to the formulation of policies and reforms that can advance women’s economic participation. A milestone achievement, the Women and the … Read More
Lao PDR Business Perceptions Survey 2015
This report presents the results of a recent survey on business perceptions of trade liberalization in Laos called the Business Perceptions Survey, or BPS. The goal of the BPS was to obtain data on how businesses in Lao PDR are … Read More
National Small Business Survey of Uganda
The survey aimed to identify constraints to MSMEs’ development and growth with a focus on access to finance, infrastructure, business development services, markets and technology.