Bilateral Dimensions of the CAREC Trade Facilitation Agenda: Spotlight on Mongolia and the People’s Republic of China

Cooperation on regional public goods promises substantial economic benefits. The ADB-assisted CAREC program sponsors measures to facilitate trade and maximize the impact of investments in infrastructure. The program provides an effective institutional forum for negotiating complex, cross-border projects. (No. 26 | May 2010)

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Post-Disaster Action Planning

Rapid development of a series of pragmatic subdistrict action plans embedded in spatial frameworks was needed to prioritize and direct post-disaster rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts after the 2004 tsunami and 2005 earthquake on the island of Nias, Indonesia. Speedy and accurate data collection and analysis by small teams in consultation with communities and local governments, and simple presentations of results led to a high level of demand for and uptake of the plans. The plans provided a template for effective post-disaster responses and continue to be used by local governments for their development and budget planning. (No. 25 | January 2010)

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Customizing a Decentralized Sanitation Solution for Viet Nam's Peri-urban Areas

Design considerations for sanitation approaches in peri-urban areas cover a wide ground, from topography to climate to behaviors and more. Decentralized sanitation approaches reduce the need for complex design engineering and keep investment costs to a minimum, thus enabling communities to participate in their management and operations. People will invest in sanitation services when they understand the benefits they will gain. (No. 24 | January 2010)

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Boosting Aquaculture Livelihoods in Post-Disaster Aceh, Indonesia

The tsunami that struck Aceh Province in Indonesia in 2004 devastated coastal aquaculture livelihoods. The Asian Development Bank-assisted Earthquake and Tsunami Emergency Support Project engaged fish farmers to build and operate four Aquaculture Livelihood Service Centers. The Aceh Aquaculture Communication Center was also set up. With improved aquaculture support services, fish farmers now produce high-value shrimps for export. (No. 23 | January 2010)

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Complaints from Beneficiaries: A Valuable Resource for Project Implementation

Problems often arise in large and complex projects, leading to complaints from intended beneficiaries. The Asian Development Bank's Earthquake and Tsunami Emergency Support Project in Indonesia established several avenues for receiving and responding to complaints at the project level. The complaint-handling systems provided feedback about problems and enabled their early resolution before they escalated into difficult issues, resulting in smoother project implementation.

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Speeding Business Application Processes in the Philippines

The Philippines is ranked 162 out of 183 countries in terms of ease of starting a business, according to the Doing Business 2010 Report. The Department of Trade and Industry has moved to raise the country's ranking by simplifying the process necessary to start sole proprietorships and corporations. A significant effort has been the development of the Unified Form in the department's National Economic Research and Business Assistance Center. (No. 21 | November 2009)

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When Size Matters - Improving Microfinance Outreach in Aceh Through a Revitalized Provincial Rural Bank Network

The Asian Development Bank-assisted Earthquake and Tsunami Emergency Support Project aimed, among others, to develop sustainable and responsive financial services for micro and small enterprises in Aceh in Sumatra, Indonesia. By Mariano A. Cordero, Rizal Matondang, and Pieter Smidt (No. 20 | November 2009)

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