Publications List

Comprehensive listing of books, reports, and research on regional cooperation and integration (RCI) in South Asia and relevant global RCI publications, including publications on transport, trade facilitation, energy, and economic corridors in the SASEC region.

Selected Publication

Double Trouble? Meeting the Export Target for Asia-Pacific Least Developed Countries in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (Trade Insights: Issue No. 15)

This paper evaluates the prospects of least developed countries (LDCs) in Asia-Pacific in meeting the target set for LDCs to double their share of global exports by 2020, in Goal 17 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). The paper notes that most Asia-Pacific LDCs have reported strong GDP growth turnout in recent years and are expected to grow by an average of 5.8% in 2016; difficulties faced by individual LDCs vary – Nepal, as an example, would need expansion at the average rate of 19% per year; LDCs can use national SDG strategies and go for longer-term goals—beyond the goals of export expansion—such as aiming to reach targets on trade cost reductions and trade facilitation.

Author: Adam Heal, Miso Kim, Juliette Perche, Rajan Sudesh Ratna, and Pakkaporn Visetsilpanon

Year: 2016

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Tags: Least Developed Countries, Exports, Trade Facilitation, Trade, UNESCAP

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ADB Annual Report 2024

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) 2025 Annual Report details operational and financial results. ADB supported regional cooperation initiatives in South Asia. For instance, ADB committed $662 million to support Nepal’s growing domestic electricity demand and green electricity export aspirations through the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) Electricity Transmission and Distribution Strengthening Project. ADB also supported SASEC through health and trade facilitation projects in Bangladesh and India and technical assistance for health and transport in Bhutan and Nepal.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2025

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South Asia Development Update, April 2025: Taxing Times

Amid uncertainty in the global landscape, growth in South Asia is estimated to slow to 5.8% in fiscal year (FY) 2025 before picking up to 6.1% in FY2026. In Bangladesh, GDP growth will moderate to 3.3% in FY2024-2025 before rebounding to 4.9% in FY2025-2026. Growth in Bhutan will accelerate to 6.6% in FY2024-2025 and 7.6% in FY2025-2026. In India, growth is projected at 6.5% in FY2024-2025 and 6.3% in FY2025-2026; while in Maldives, growth will reach 5.7% in FY2025 and 5.3 in FY2026. Nepal’s economy will grow to 4.5% in FY2024-2025 and 5.2% in FY2025-2026. In Sri Lanka, growth will moderate to 3.5% in FY2025 and 3.1% in FY2026.

Author: World Bank

Year: 2025

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Tags: GDP, WB, South Asia

Asian Development Outlook (ADO) April 2025

South Asia underwent a slowdown, amid delays in public investment in India. South Asia's gross domestic product (GDP) is estimated at 6.0% in fiscal year (FY) 2025 and 6.2% in FY2026. Bangladesh's GDP growth is estimated at 3.9% in FY2025, amid a projected improvement in manufacturing. In Bhutan, growth in 2025 will rise to 8.5% behind expansion in industry and hydroelectric production. India's GDP will reach 6.7% in FY2025 amid a strong outlook for services and manufacturing. In Maldives, growth will moderate to 5.0% in FY2025 amid slowdowns in construction. GDP growth in Nepal in FY2025 will be at 4.4% with expansion expected in agriculture. Sri Lanka's GDP will moderate to 3.9% in FY2025, though infrastructure investments are forecast to spur growth. In Southeast Asia, Myanmar will experience modest GDP growth of 1.1% in 2025, premised on growth in industry and services.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2025

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Tags: ADB, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Manufacturing, Agriculture, Services

Update of the Readiness Assessment for Cross-Border Paperless Trade: Bangladesh

This report reviews Bangladesh’s readiness for cross-border paperless trade. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is supporting the policy-based Integrated Trade Facilitation Sector Development Program 3 in Bangladesh, under the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC). Under the program, the Government of Bangladesh will prepare a road map to implement cross-border paperless trade.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2024

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Macroeconomic Update: Nepal (September 2024)

This issue of Macroeconomic Update: Nepal looks at the challenges that Nepal faces in terms of meeting the Sustainable Development Goals, graduating from the least developed country category, and becoming a middle-income country. The report suggests that, to achieve upper middle-income country status by 2043, Nepal will need a robust strategy for efficient capital mobilization and sustainable growth.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2024

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Tags: Nepal, Export, Sustainable Development Goals, ADB

Returned 5 publications