Asian Development Outlook 2018 Supplement: The Outlook Firms as Trade Conflict PausesGrowth forecasts for developing Asia stand at 5.8% in 2019. South Asia is still the fastest-growing subregion in developing Asia, while 2019 forecasts are revised down marginally at 7.1%. Bangladesh maintains its growth momentum with the expansion of exports and remittances. Growth in Bhutan has moderated while tourist arrivals grew strongly in Maldives. India exports are increasing along with the country’s industrial and agricultural output. GDP in Sri Lanka grew by 3.7% amid revived private consumption. In Nepal, exports surged by 16.1% while remittances grew to a record $2.1 billion. Author: Asian Development Bank Year: 2018 Download Tags: ADB, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka World Trade Report 2018: The Future of World TradeThe report looks at international trade and analyzes how digital technologies will reduce trade costs. It examines the internet of things, artificial intelligence, 3-D printing and blockchain, and speculates how these things will affect global trade in the next 15 years. It looks at indicators on South Asia and other regions to help evaluate each region’s preparedness for the digital age. Author: World Trade Organization Year: 2018 Download Tags: South Asia, Trade Facilitation Agreement, WTO Investment Climate Improvement in East Coast Economic Corridor of India: Regulatory, Institutional, and Policy Reforms Support to Tamil NaduThis paper summarizes a study that the Asian Development Bank (ADB) undertook upon the request of the Government of Tamil Nadu, India. The state sought to become a preferred investment destination with an investor-friendly business climate. The study identified policy, institutional, and process reforms to improve the ease of doing business in Tamil Nadu, including institutional and regulatory reforms needed for the East Coast Economic Corridor (ECEC) development. The study resulted in the implementation of an online single window mechanism that simplified and sped up processes for transparent and time-bound clearances for investors. Author: Asian Development Bank Year: 2018 Download Tags: ADB, Ease of Doing Business, Economic Corridor Development, India, Single Window  Asian Economic Integration Report 2018This report tracks the progress of regional cooperation and integration in Asia. It shows how intraregional trade grew in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific. In South Asia, the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) has been focused on building multimodal connectivity to facilitate trade as one of its priorities. Its operational plan is being reviewed to better reflect regional project priorities in the region. SASEC is also studying how Myanmar, its newest member, is to be integrated as a vital link between South Asia, Southeast Asia, and East Asia. The chapter "Toward Optimal Provision of Regional Public Goods in Asia and the Pacific" looks at how collective action among countries can help find solutions for such transnational challenges as infrastructure connectivity, environmental degradation, and transnational health threats. Author: Asian Development Bank Year: 2018 Download Tags: ADB, Regional Cooperation, SASEC, Trade Facilitation South Asia Economic Focus, Fall 2018: Budget CrunchAmid a turbulent international environment, South Asia is expected to remain the fastest-growing region in the world. Growth in Bangladesh will be driven by consumption and public investment. In Bhutan, growth is expected to accelerate with the commissioning of two major hydropower projects. Growth in India firms up prompted by the adoption of the Goods and Services Tax and the recapitalization of banks. Maldives is projected to grow strongly based on dynamism in construction and tourism. Economic activity in Nepal is set to grow over the medium term while Sri Lanka’s economic growth will recover following 2017’s weather disruptions. The report highlights how growth performance is anchored on domestic consumption rather than private investment or exports. Author: World Bank Year: 2018 Download Tags: |
