The Quarterly Economic Update (QEU) provides a comprehensive and updated analysis of the recent economic performance of Sri Lanka. The QEU for July 2012 highlights the expected economic slowdown in 2012. With inflation trending up, monetary tightening is expected to continue for a longer period....

This report presents the results of purchasing power parities (PPPs) in the 2011 International Comparison Program in Asia and the Pacific and background information on the concepts that underpin the results. The PPPs are disaggregated by major economic aggregates that enable robust cross-country...

Asian cities are central to economic development but are perceived to be wealthy yet chaotic places. Burdened by congestion, inequality, and fragmented interventions, these urban systems remain relatively weak. However, their rapid growth and wealth provide an opportunity to usher in inclusive...

The Quarterly Economic Update (QEU) provides a comprehensive and updated analysis of the recent economic performance of Sri Lanka. The QEU for October/November 2012 observes economic slowdown due to tight monetary policy restricted domestic credit expansion and weak external demand. The QEU also...

A robust and sustainable tax system requires good tax administration. This report compares the administrative frameworks, functions, and performances of tax administration bodies in 22 jurisdictions in Asia and the Pacific. The descriptive analysis is based on surveys of tax administration...

This report presents the summary results of purchasing power parities (PPP) in the 2011 International Comparison Program in Asia and the Pacific and background information on the concepts that underpin the results. The PPPs are disaggregated by major economic aggregates which enable robust...

This country report is the result of the analysis on the Informal Sector Survey that was funded by the regional technical assistance of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Measuring the Informal Sector. The Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, one of the three partner statistical agencies of 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...

State-owned enterprises (SOEs) continue to constrain Pacific economies. They absorb scarce capital, suffer low productivity, and often provide high cost and low quality services. SOE reform is vital to create private investment opportunities, reduce the costs of doing business, and improve...

The private sector contributes to economic development by generating jobs and incomes, as well as through investments, new technologies, knowledge transfer, and enhanced productivity. This is particularly true in Asia and the Pacific, where much of the recent success in reducing poverty has been...