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Asian Development Bank Institute's Documents
Narrowing the Gaps through Regional Cooperation Institutions and Governance Systems
Regional governance systems and national frameworks to address climate change and accelerate green growth in Asia are reviewed and tools to address climate change are outlined. Options for regional level political institutions and financial architecture needed to fulfill voluntary pledges and programs are suggested and potentials, options, and challenges regarding monitoring, reporting, and verification systems are analyzed. In conclusion, policy measures for adaption and mitigation to climate change are provided.
Category:Business & EconomicsReads:51Uploaded:05 / 08 / 2012ShareAdd to collectionShaping the Future of the Asia-Latin America and the Caribbean Relationship
Economic ties between Asia and Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) have reached a turning point. In a mere decade, Asia has become LAC's second-largest trading partner. This dynamic trade relationship has boosted LAC's strategic and economic importance to Asia. To expand these gains, governments must play a more decisive role. Their participation is critical in strengthening and balancing the three key pillars of any successful integration initiative: trade, investment, and cooperation. In its four chapters, the report identifies the challenges and opportunities in each of these pillars while drawing attention to the benefits of balancing their development. This report is a collaborative effort by the Asian Development Bank, the Asian Development Bank Institute, and the Inter-American Development Bank.
Category:Business & EconomicsReads:62Uploaded:05 / 07 / 2012ShareAdd to collectionDeveloping Asia’s Pension Systems and Old-Age Income Support
Old-age income support is becoming an issue of growing importance throughout Asia. This is especially true in East and Southeast Asia where the population is aging. This paper provides a broad overview of the current state of pension systems in the People’s Republic of China, Indonesia, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Viet Nam; analyzes the pension systems; and identifies their major structural weaknesses. The paper concludes with some specific policy directions for pension reform to strengthen the capacity of Asian pension systems in delivering economic security for the large and growing population of elderly looming on the region’s horizon.
Category:Business & EconomicsReads:51Uploaded:05 / 07 / 2012ShareAdd to collectionThe People’s Republic of China’s High-tech Exports: Myth and Reality
Trade statistics portray the People's Republic of China (PRC) as the largest exporter of high-tech products. In this paper the author argues that the PRC’s leading position in high-tech exports is a myth created by outdated trade statistics, which are inconsistent with trade based on global supply chains. Current trade statistics mistakenly credit entire values of assembled high-tech products to the PRC, thus greatly inflating its exports. He suggests that a value-added-based approach should be adopted to accurately measure high-tech exports. Furthermore, if assembly is the only source of the value-added generated by PRC workers, in terms of technological contribution these assembled high-tech exports are no different from labor-intensive products, so they should be excluded from the high-tech classification.
Category:Business & EconomicsReads:26Uploaded:05 / 07 / 2012ShareAdd to collectionExchange Rate Coordination in Asia: Evidence using the Asian Currency Unit
This paper evaluates the extent of exchange rate coordination among Asian economies using a hypothetical Asian Currency Unit. Rising interdependence among Asian economies makes it vital for these economies to have a certain degree of exchange rate stability. However, the empirical evidence using an Asian Currency Unit suggests a widening deviation in exchange rate movements of the Asian currencies. The deviation has been driven by the adoption of different exchange rate regimes by the participating countries indicating diverse policy objectives.
Category:Business & EconomicsReads:122Uploaded:04 / 20 / 2012ShareAdd to collectionAudio-visual Services: International Trade and Cultural Policy
The audiovisual sector is a significant component of the economy in terms of wealth creation and employment and audiovisual industries also play an important cultural role. This study reviews the main forces driving patterns of trade in audiovisual (mainly television and film) and identifies key issues that may potentially impact on trade liberalization and open markets. It analyzes economic aspects of the audiovisual sector and how these influence patterns of international trade. The report also examines the regulatory environment, including frameworks for transnational coordination of copyright. Cultural issues that may affect trade in audiovisual goods and services are considered. The study concludes with reflections on how open markets can be reconciled with cultural objectives which are an intrinsic aspect of the audiovisual sector.
Category:Business & EconomicsReads:32Uploaded:04 / 17 / 2012ShareAdd to collectionAudiovisual Services in Korea: Market Development and Policies
This paper reviews economic development and the regulatory environment of audiovisual services in the Republic of Korea (hereafter, Korea). The paper specifically examines motion pictures and broadcasting, and discusses what drives or hinders the sector’s trade potential, which depends on whether Korean audiovisual services providers create high quality content that can be shared locally and/or universally. The most important prerequisite for high quality content is the generation of creative ideas, which would be hindered by strong government censorship and controls. The restrictive Korean broadcasting sector should learn from the success of the Korean film industry in this regard.
Category:Business & EconomicsReads:26Uploaded:04 / 16 / 2012ShareAdd to collectionInnovative Approaches to Managing Longevity Risk in Asia: Lessons from the West
This paper discusses what is longevity risk, why it is important, approaches used by the West to manage longevity risk, and what lessons can be learnt by Asian countries from the experiences of the West. Increasing and uncertain longevity has emerged as a key risk affecting individuals, pension plans, insurers, and governments in both the developed and emerging world. I discuss progress in the field of longevity modeling and the merits as well as drawbacks of these models. In western countries, attempts have been made by capital market and governments to deal with longevity risk, but the availability of solutions remain limited.
Category:Business & EconomicsReads:63Uploaded:04 / 13 / 2012ShareAdd to collectionDevelopment Trajectories, Emission Profile, and Policy Actions: Thailand
In Thailand climate change has been integrated into the formulation of several national plans and policies. Both the public and private sector have been actively involved in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, with a series of measures and actions implemented in each sector. The development of renewable energy and the promotion of energy conservation and efficiency have been the primary means to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions in Thailand and though it has made significant progresses toward green and low-carbon development, there is a need to further address the issue.
Category:Business & EconomicsReads:50Uploaded:04 / 13 / 2012ShareAdd to collectionWhat is the Role of Social Pensions in Asia?
Rapid population ageing and economic transformation in Asia raise the policy challenge of ensuring income security in old age. The main objective of this paper is to explore the potential role of social pensions and other noncontributory schemes in Asia, informed by insights from theory and international experience. The paper identifies alternative forms of providing income security in old age, including social pensions. It also examines the welfare effects of adopting alternative social pension designs, especially around two key policy nodes: the comparative advantages of social assistance and social pensions, and the integration of noncontributory transfers within advanced contributory pension schemes.
Category:Business & EconomicsReads:41Uploaded:04 / 12 / 2012ShareAdd to collection
