Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific 2022: Economic Policies for an Inclusive Recovery and Development Rapid economic growth in Asia and the Pacific in the last three decades have lifted many out of poverty, through improvements in agriculture and manufacturing. Nevertheless, many countries have experienced increases in inequality in their countries since the 1990s. This publication argues that Asia-Pacific countries should prioritize inclusive growth, by allowing those from all socioeconomic groups to improve livelihoods, incomes, and education. While fiscal and health challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic present challenges, achieving inclusive recovery is still very possible. Author: United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific Year: 2022 Download Tags:  Reshaping Norms: A New Way ForwardSouth Asian countries are emerging from coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic burdened by high inflation and fiscal imbalances, as well as external shocks. In Bangladesh, gross domestic product (GDP) is projected to increase by 6.4% in fiscal year (FY) 2021-2022 and 6.7% in FY2022-2023. In Bhutan, FY2021-2022 growth is estimated at 4.4% and FY2022-2023 growth at 4.7%, with the expected return of international tourists and migrant workers from India. In India, FY2022-2023 growth is projected at 8%, slightly below last year’s rate. Economic recovery in Maldives will stay strong in 2022, with real GDP growth expected to grow by 8.5% in 2022 and 9.1% in 2023. In Nepal, tourism has yet to recover, with growth projected at 3.7% in FY2021-2022 and 4.1% in FY2022-2023. Hydropower in Nepal is providing a natural hedge against increases in crude oil-based energy prices. Growth in Sri Lanka is hampered by a series of shocks amid high debt, with 2022 growth projected at 2.4%. Author: World Bank Year: 2022 Download Tags: National Single Window: Guidance NoteElectronic national single window systems help stakeholders meet trade and transit requirements. Single windows allow trade and transit sectors to send information to multiple agencies through one platform, thereby helping reduce processing time and the cost of doing business. This guidance note compiles information on planning and implementing national single window systems that help countries comply with international trade regulations. Author: Asian Development Bank Year: 2022 Download Tags: Fostering Regional Cooperation and Integration for Recovery and Resilience: Guidance NoteThe publication identifies opportunities for regional cooperation and integration to complement country efforts to widen include health and financial safety nets. Subregional partnerships such as the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation, Greater Mekong Subregion, and South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) took steps to coordinate coronavirus-response initiatives. SASEC customs officials, for example, agreed to keep country borders open to sensitive and critical goods. Author: Asian Development Bank Year: 2022 Download Tags: ADB, SASEC, Regional Connectivity Basic Statistics 2022Basic Statistics presents economic, environmental, and social indicators used to track progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals. The publication includes new data for development indicators for 46 economies in Asia and Pacific, including those for the seven South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. Author: Asian Development Bank Year: 2022 Download Tags: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Trade, Sustainable Development Goals, Renewable Energy  Asian Development Outlook (ADO) 2022: Mobilizing Taxes for DevelopmentGrowth in South Asia is projected to remain strong at 7.0% in FY2022 and 7.4% in FY2023 as the region’s economies try to catch up to pre-pandemic levels. In Bangladesh gross domestic product (GDP) growth is projected at 6.9% in FY2022. Growth in FY2023, projected at 7.1%, will be driven by private consumption. Bhutan is forecast to grow at 4.5% in FY2022. Growth will accelerate to 7.5% in FY2023 with the reopening of international tourism in the country. India is forecast to grow at 7.5% in FY2022 and 8.0% in FY2023, buoyed by strong investment growth. GDP growth in Maldives is forecast at 11.0% in FY2022 and 12.0% in FY2023 with continued tourism arrivals. In Nepal, fiscal stimulus and wider vaccination coverage will support growth, projected at 3.9% in FY2022 and 5.0% in FY2023. Sri Lanka's growth is forecast to slow to 2.4% in FY2022 and pick up to 2.5% in FY2023 amid low foreign exchange reserves. In Southeast Asia, Myanmar’s economy is forecast to contract in FY 2022 on protracted political instability. Myanmar GDP is forecast at -0.3% in FY2022 and 2.6% in FY2023. Author: Asian Development Bank Year: 2022 Download Tags: ADB, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Myanmar Regional Cooperation and Integration in Asia and the Pacific: Responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic and "Building Back Better"Platforms for regional and subregional cooperation helped spur collective action to help Asia and the Pacific build back resiliency from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Regional cooperation platforms such as the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation program helped countries respond to the COVID-19 emergency. In South Asia, partners will have the opportunities to support regional market development through transport corridors, trade facilitation, and cross-border energy trade post-COVID-19. Author: Asian Development Bank Year: 2022 Download Tags: ADB, Bangladesh, COVID-19, Economic Corridor Development, Energy, India, Trade Facilitation, SASEC Asian Economic Integration Report 2022: Advancing Digital Services Trade in Asia and the PacificAs of December 2021, 73 South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) projects worth $17.43 billion had been financed. The SASEC Program was able to sustain its momentum in 2020 and 2021 in spite of setbacks brought about by the coronavirus pandemic. In 2020–2021, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) committed $2.36 billion for 13 regional cooperation and integration projects in the subregion, including five transport projects, three energy projects, and five multisector/economic corridor projects. The SASEC Secretariat is reviewing the progress of the SASEC Vision initiatives to help make coordination mechanisms more effective and to improve resource mobilization. Author: Asian Development Bank Year: 2022 Download Tags: Trade, SASEC, ADB, COVID-19, Regional Cooperation |