Energy Trade in South AsiaCountries are shifting to using green energy sources to meet their energy needs and cut emissions. While South Asia may have ample renewable energy and hydropower resources, demand exceeds local supply, and the countries have had to rely heavily on imports. To help improve energy security in the region, South Asian countries have signed bilateral and multilateral agreements to trade energy, including India-Nepal hydropower projects and the India-Bhutan hydroelectric joint venture. Author: CUTS International Year: 2023 Download Tags: Energy, Trade, South Asia, Hydropower, Bhutan, India, Nepal 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, ADB RCI 2022 , ADB RCI ADB Annual Report 2020The Asian Development Bank (ADB) 2020 Annual Report details operational and financial results. In 2020, ADB continued its support for the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) road corridor in Dhaka-Northwest in Bangladesh, committing $406.1 million in loans to strengthen trade. Under the SASEC program, ADB committed $200 million to support cross-border power trade by upgrading substations in Nepal in Khimti, Barhabise, and Lapsiphedi. ADB also committed a $150 million concessional loan to improve the safety and capacity of Tribhuvan International Airport and Gautam Buddha Airport to help revive Nepal's tourism industry and address the long-term economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Author: Asian Development Bank Year: 2021 Download Tags: COVID-19, Energy, Regional Cooperation, SASEC, Trade, Transport Asian Economic Integration Report 2021: Making Digital Platforms Work for Asia and the PacificThis report reviews economic cooperation and integration in Asia and the Pacific. As of the end of 2019, ADB had committed a total of $13.77 billion to 60 projects under the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) partnership, including projects for improving transport connectivity, trade facilitation, and power transmission. In 2019, SASEC members revamped the SASEC Operational Plan 2016–2025 to prioritize narrowing gaps in the subregion’s transport and energy networks. The SASEC program focused on expanding multimodal connectivity to include maritime and inland water transport. Subregional health cooperation was strengthened in 2020 to improve access to health services in Asia and the Pacific. Author: Asian Development Bank Year: 2021 Download Tags: ADB, Regional Cooperation, SASEC, Transport, Trade Facilitation, Energy Review of the ADB Clean Energy ProgramThis publication presents a review of the Clean Energy Program of the Asian Development Bank (ADB). It looks at what needs to be done in light of goals of mitigating climate change and promoting sustainable development. It also looks at the goals in terms of ADB’s Strategy 2030. Fostering regional cooperation and integration is among the operational priorities ADB has identified in Strategy 2030. ADB operations in the energy sector has promoted energy connectivity—such as through power interconnections in South Asia—and sharing best practices and technologies in renewable energy development. Author: Asian Development Bank Year: 2020 Download Tags: ADB, Energy, South Asia, Renewable Energy Asia's Journey to Prosperity: Policy, Market, and Technology Over 50 YearsThis book presents factors that can explain Asia's development performance. It looks at the role of policy, market, and technology in promoting trade and investment, infrastructure, and regional cooperation and integration (RCI). In South Asia, RCI has focused on connectivity through transport, energy, and trade facilitation. The Asian Development Bank has supported RCI by initiating several subregional programs, such as the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS), the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC), and the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC). Author: Asian Development Bank Year: 2020 Download Tags: ADB, SASEC, Regional Cooperation, Trade, Energy  Role of Regional Cooperation and Integration in Improving Energy Insecurity in South AsiaThis working paper examines the literature on energy security in Asia. It gives an overview of resource constraints and the growth nexus in Asia, the scope for enhancing energy security, and the potential of regional cooperation to boost energy security. Wide disparity exists in energy security across the regions and between and within countries in Asia. With energy security critical to national security and access to natural resources, it is an important aspect of Asia’s long-term growth and development. This working paper puts forth that increasing regional cooperation can help improve access to energy among the energy-deficit developing countries in Asia, and benefit the region.It concludes that regional cooperation and integration promotes an interdependence network that ensures maximum use of renewable and non-renewable energy resources. This working paper also covers energy infrastructure development, investment needs, and potential sources of funding. Author: Tapan Sarker, Shanawez Hossain, K. M. Nazmul Islam Year: 2020 Download Tags: Energy Security, Energy, Renewable Energy, Trade Achieving Energy Security in Asia: Diversification, Integration and Policy ImplicationsThis publication reviews the status of energy security in Asia. In South Asia, countries face challenges in achieving energy security and climate goals. India and Bangladesh, for instance, face rising energy import bills while Maldives depends on oil products. The book suggests that countries and regions can achieve energy security through energy cooperation and diversification. This would lead to economic growth and poverty reduction, as well as mitigate energy security risks from climate change. Author: Asian Development Bank Institute and World Scientific Year: 2019 Download Tags: WB, India, Bangladesh, Maldives, Energy, Climate Change World Bank East Asia and Pacific Economic Update, October 2019: Weathering Growing RisksAmid weakening global demand and policy uncertainty regarding trade tensions, growth in developing East Asia and Pacific region slowed in the first half of 2019. There is a need to address vulnerabilities and preserve economic dynamism in developing economies in the region. In Myanmar, GDP growth will reach 6.8% in 2021/2022 with the projected pick-up in agriculture. Policy measures to encourage investment, such as those for the energy sector, are expected to strengthen Myanmar’s manufacturing and construction sectors. Author: World Bank Year: 2019 Download Tags: Energy, Investment, Myanmar, WB Services for Trade Competitiveness: Country and Regional Assessments of Services TradeThis book applies methodologies for assessing competitiveness of countries’ services sector. It examines the types of barriers to services in the regulatory environment and identifies the policy implications. It aims to guide policymakers in the area of services in international trade. The chapter on diversifying Nepal’s economy assesses the country’s trade potential in services. Using the Services Trade Competitiveness Diagnostic toolkit, it identifies policy measures that can help Nepal identify strategies for greater integration in the global marketplace. Author: Claire Hollweg and Sebastian Saez, eds. Year: 2019 Download Tags: Energy, Nepal, Services, Trade, WB Basic Statistics 2019Basic Statistics presents select economic, environmental, and social indicators used to track progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals. It includes indicators for development indicators for 46 economies in the Asia and Pacific region, including those for the seven SASEC countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. Author: Asian Development Bank Year: 2019 Download Tags: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Trade, Sustainable Development Goals, Energy Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific 2019: Ambitions beyond GrowthThe Asia-Pacific region needs an estimated $1.5 trillion per year to end poverty and hunger, provide basic health care, quality education, enabling infrastructure, and clean energy for all, and for climate action and living in harmony with nature. Available public and private resources make these ambitions affordable for most countries in the region. However, development partnerships and regional cooperation are needed for all countries to achieve these “ambitions beyond growth.” Author: United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific Year: 2019 Download Tags: Sustainable Development Goals, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Maldives, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Trade, Energy Impact Evaluation of Energy Interventions: A Review of the EvidenceImpact evaluations in the energy sector has so far focused on rural electrification and improved cookstoves. However, most investments have been in power generation and transmission. This energy sector impact evaluation report assesses what has been produced against what might be possible. It summarizes outcomes of 85 impact evaluations of energy interventions in developing countries, including Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal. It looks at evidence gaps and proposes future directions for impact evaluations in the energy sector. Author: David A. Raitzer, Nina Blöndal, and Jasmin Sibal Year: 2019 Download Tags: Energy, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, India ADB Annual Report 2018The Asian Development Bank (ADB) supports cross-border infrastructure to help foster regional cooperation and integration. It is transforming transport corridors into economic corridors, allowing South Asian countries to participate in regional and global value chains and promote agriculture trade. In 2018, ADB committed $150 million to upgrade sections of South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) road corridors in India and Nepal. The investments aim to improve connectivity between Manipur (in India) and Myanmar; build an India–Nepal international bridge; and improve the safety of Nepal’s East–West Highway. ADB also approved a technical assistance project to build institutional capacity and improve expertise of trade facilitation officials in SASEC member countries. Author: Asian Development Bank Year: 2019 Download Tags: Economic Corridor Development, ADB, Energy, India, Nepal, SASEC, Trade Facilitation SASEC Vision – MyanmarMyanmar serves as a land bridge between South Asia, Southeast Asia, and East Asia. This book identifies regional and subregional opportunities for Myanmar to harness natural and human resources, industrial potential, and infrastructure connectivity as part of the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) program. SASEC Vision – Myanmar serves to supplement the 2017 SASEC Vision document, which articulates shared aspirations of the SASEC countries and sets the path to achieve these through regional collaboration. Author: South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation Program Year: 2019 Download Tags: SASEC, Trade Facilitation, Transport, Energy World Energy Outlook 2018Electricity demand is doubling in developing economies, led by India. This makes cleaner and affordable electricity central to economic development and emissions reduction. This report analyzes different pathways across various fuels and technologies. It looks at policies that could help reduce air pollution and meet global energy and climate goals. Author: International Energy Agency Year: 2018 Download Tags: Energy, India, Renewable Energy World Energy Trilemma Index 2018Using global and national data, this report presents a ranking of countries’ energy performance in terms of energy security, energy equity, and environmental sustainability. The rankings show impacts of decisions and changes to suggest policy innovation that could help countries successfully navigate the energy transition. In South Asia, India was noted for increasing diversity of its energy generation while trying to meet rising demand. Bhutan attained 100% electrification in 2016, while Bangladesh increased energy access from 55% to 76% from 2014 to 2018, largely due to the use of micro and mini solar power systems. Nepal has achieved 91% electricity access and is on track to achieving 100% electrification by 2030. Author: World Energy Council Year: 2018 Download Tags: Energy, South Asia Infrastructure Financing in South AsiaSouth Asia is the world's fastest-growing region. The region has also shown significant reduction in poverty and income inequality owing to improved road transport, electricity, and sanitation. The growth is attributed partly to the improvement in infrastructure in Bangladesh, India, and Sri Lanka. Yet, to sustain growth and deal with climate change, the region must invest more to develop infrastructure in the next 15 years. This paper looks at public and private sector financing of infrastructure and discusses the factors driving infrastructure investment. Author: Shikha Jha and Rosa Mia Arao Year: 2018 Download Tags: Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Energy, ICT, Infrastructure, Public Private Partnerships, Transport Key Indicators for Asia and the Pacific 2018This report presents the latest economic, financial, social, and environmental statistics for the 48 regional members of the Asian Development Bank (ADB). In 2017, foreign direct investment flows to developing Asia was stable, with 8.8% going to South Asia; energy gains were made in five of six countries in South Asia; and starting a business continues become easier in most developing ADB member economies following lowered regulatory costs and simplified compliance procedures. Nepal and Armenia experienced the most rapid annual growth rate at 7.5%, while India witnessed a 6.7% growth in GDP. Author: Asian Development Bank Year: 2018 Download Tags: ADB, Energy, Transport, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Southeast Asia, Sri Lanka How Would Cross-Border Electricity Trade Stimulate Hydropower Development in South Asia?South Asia uses only 20% its hydropower potential, estimated at more than 350 gigawatts. This report looks at regional electricity trade and examines the potential of hydropower development and trade in the region. It studies the importance of improving cross-border transmission interconnections to promote hydropower in South Asia. It also shows that large hydropower development would provide the additional benefits of irrigation and flood control that can be shared among neighboring countries, such as Bangladesh, India, and Nepal. Author: Govinda R. Timilsina Year: 2018 Download Tags: Bangladesh, Energy, Hydropower, Nepal, Regional Cooperation, South Asia, Trade Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific 2018The Asia-Pacific region experienced rapid growth as inflation remained stable and firmer global demand supported a pickup in investments. In the South and South-West Asian subregion, there is an opportunity for greater trade integration. It is the fastest-growing subregion in Asia and the Pacific, with growth accelerating in all countries with the exception of India and Sri Lanka. In Bangladesh, large infrastructure projects and new energy initiatives drove strong domestic demand and backed the country’s robust growth. Author: United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific Year: 2018 Download Tags: Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Infrastructure, Energy Strategy 2030: Achieving a Prosperous, Inclusive, Resilient, and Sustainable Asia and the Pacific Under its new long-term strategy, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) continues its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty while bringing focus to a vision of a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia-Pacific. ADB’s key operational priorities include the fostering of regional cooperation and integration, covering its support for enhancing connectivity and competitiveness, promoting regional public goods, and strengthening the financial sector cooperation. ADB also aims to strengthen subregional initiatives, such as the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) Program. Author: Asian Development Bank Year: 2018 Download Tags: ADB, Energy, Regional Cooperation, SASEC, Regional Integration, Connectivity Asian Development Outlook 2018 Supplement: The Outlook Remains Stable South Asia continues to be the fastest expanding subregion, with growth on track to achieve forecasts of 7.0% in 2018 and 7.2% in 2019. India will meet April forecasts of 7.3% in 2018 and 7.6% in 2019. Owing to strong agricultural growth in Bangladesh and industry growth in Nepal, 2018 GDP growth in the two countries surpassed earlier forecasts. Decline in construction slowed Sri Lanka’s economic growth to 3.2% while hydropower production was lower than forecast in Bhutan. Cement, wood, and metal imports grew in Maldives. Author: Asian Development Bank Year: 2018 Download Tags: ADB, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Energy, Hydropower, India, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka Basic Statistics 2018Basic Statistics presents development indicators for 45 economies in the Asia and Pacific region, including those for the seven SASEC countries, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. It presents selected core indicators such as international and national poverty rates, inflation, and current account balance. It also presents information on indicators related to land, population, sustainable development goals, national accounts, money, balance of payments, reserves, external debt, and central government finance. Author: Asian Development Bank Year: 2018 Download Tags: Energy, ADB, Trade, Sustainable Development Goals, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka Fostering Effective Energy TransitionThis report introduces the Energy Transition Index, which looks at the performance of energy systems in 114 countries and their readiness to transition to a secure, sustainable, affordable, and inclusive future energy system. The report shows that India has been improving electricity access. It also encourages countries to benchmark themselves against comparable groups in terms of development status and energy trade balance to identify best practices and develop applicable improvement plans. Author: World Economic Forum Year: 2018 Download Tags: Energy, India, Trade Services and Global Value Chains: The Asia-Pacific Reality, Studies in Trade, Investment and Innovation 89This book reviews issues concerning the roles of services in global value chains. It presents a framework for assessing links among different services and between services and the manufacturing sector. The book explains the contribution of services to global value chains in the Asia-Pacific region and to the world and also draws lessons with which countries could understand the importance of services and participation in global value chains to achieving sustainable development. Author: Witada Anukoonwattaka, Mia Mikic, Yuhua Zhang Year: 2017 Download Tags: ASEAN, Asia-Pacific, Energy, Global Value Chains, India, Nepal, Regional Cooperation, Sri Lanka, Sustainable Development, Sustainable Development Goals, Trade Facilitation, UNESCAP Harmonizing Electricity Laws in South AsiaMany in South Asia face electricity shortages that affect their socioeconomic development. But the region has a large hydropower potential and other energy resources that may be harnessed to drive growth in the region. This report looks at legal, regulatory, technical, and commercial requirements for energy trade to advance in the region, and gives recommendations for implementing the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation Framework Agreement on Energy Trade. Author: Asian Development Bank and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation in Law Year: 2017 Download Tags: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Energy, Harmonisation, India, Industrialization, Maldives, Nepal, Regional Cooperation, South Asia, Sri Lanka, Trade, ADB RCI World Energy Outlook 2017This report looks at large-scale shifts in the global energy system, such as the the growing electrification of energy and the rise of renewables, and discusses how these shifts interact with each other. It also examines how India and other major developing countries are blurring the distinctions between energy producers and consumers. Author: International Energy Agency Year: 2017 Download Tags: Energy, India, Renewable Energy, Renewables BIMSTEC: Rediscovering Old Routes to ConnectivityThis brief considers how Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) stands to gain by leveraging existing transport connectivity projects in the region. It looks at how initiatives, including those under the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) Program and other groups, build connectivity through standards harmonization, multimodal integration, and development of national single windows. Author: K. Yhome Year: 2017 Download Tags: BIMSTEC, Connectivity, Energy, Regional Cooperation, Single Window, Standards Harmonization, Transport Least Developed Countries Report 2017This report focuses on transformational energy access for the LDCs, where 62% of people have no access to electricity. It makes a case for trade in electricity, such as the 2014 South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation framework agreement for regional cooperation on electricity among Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. International and regional trade in electricity could help lower electricity prices, mitigate power shocks, relieve shortages, and facilitate the transition to cleaner energy. Author: United Nations Conference on Trade and Development Year: 2017 Download Tags: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Energy, Least Developed Countries, Trade Regional Cooperation and Integration in Asia and the Pacific: Implementation of the Operational Plan for Regional Cooperation and Integration, 2016–2020─Corporate Progress Report 2017Regional cooperation and integration (RCI) is a valuable means for attaining national development goals. This report reviews ADB’s progress in implementing its Operational Plan for Regional Cooperation and Integration, 2016–2020, and identifies areas for improvement. It takes a close look at progress in connectivity, competitiveness, and regional public goods and collective action through projects such as the Nepal: SASEC Customs Reform and Modernization for Trade Facilitation Program. Author: Asian Development Bank Year: 2017 Download Tags: Nepal, Energy, Trade, Customs, Myanmar, Regional Cooperation, Regional Integration, SASEC, Trade Facilitation Key Indicators for Asia and the Pacific 2017This report gives the latest statistics on economic, financial, environmental, and Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) indicators for the 48 regional members of the Asian Development Bank, including up-to-date figures on energy, trade, and transport. In 2016, Asia and the Pacific accounted for 40.9% of global gross domestic product (GDP). While foreign direct investment (FDI) flows declined in East Asia and Southeast Asia in 2016, FDI flows to South Asia remained stable. The average number of days required to start a business in South Asia was 16. Energy consumption is also expected to increase in the coming decades owing to increasing GDP per capita and an increase in the use of energy-consuming goods. Author: Asian Development Bank Year: 2017 Download Tags: ADB, Energy, Transport, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Southeast Asia, Sri Lanka Nepal Energy Sector Assessment, Strategy, and Road MapTo improve energy security and stimulate economic growth in the face of an unprecedented energy crisis, Nepal is accelerating the development of its hydropower sector. This report examines the performance of Nepal’s energy sector amid development constraints, and highlights government development plans and strategy. It assesses the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB’s) future support strategy, which sees Nepal’s energy sector as a key driver of inclusive economic growth. Author: Asian Development Bank Year: 2017 Download Tags: Energy, Nepal, SASEC, ADB, Hydropower Asian Development Bank and Nepal: Fact SheetThe ADB Fact Sheet provides social and economic indicators on Nepal, as well as information on ADB operations in the country and contact details. Nepal is working toward graduation to middle-income country status and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. ADB assistance aims to improve equitable access to education while pursuing a strategy that aims to address bottlenecks in infrastructure development in energy, transport, and urban facilities. ADB operations will also focus on agriculture, gender equality, good governance, environmental sustainability, regional cooperation, and private sector development. Author: Asian Development Bank Year: 2017 Download Tags: ADB, Nepal, Sustainable Development Goals, Infrastructure, Energy, Transport, Agriculture, Regional Cooperation, Gender Asian Development Bank and Bhutan: Fact SheetThe Asian Development Bank (ADB) Fact Sheet provides social and economic indicators on Bhutan, as well as information on ADB operations and contact details. Since 1982, ADB has supported Bhutan through projects in energy, finance, and trade facilitation, and transport. ADB has approved loans totaling $498.81 million, grants of $222.4 million, and $73.48 million in technical assistance for Bhutan. ADB support reflects strong emphasis on green energy production, transport connectivity, and urban infrastructure projects. To make growth more inclusive, ADB will help Bhutan through projects focusing on cross-border connectivity, skills development, and agriculture. Author: Asian Development Bank Year: 2017 Download Tags: ADB, Bhutan, Energy, Connectivity, Transport, Agriculture, Roads Asian Development Bank and Myanmar: Fact SheetUpdated yearly, this Asian Development Bank (ADB) Fact Sheet provides social and economic indicators on Myanmar, as well as information on ADB operations in the country and contact details. ADB is supporting Myanmar in promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth, with investments focusing on infrastructure (in energy, transport, and urban and water services), education, and rural development. Regional cooperation will remain one of the key priorities. Author: Asian Development Bank Year: 2017 Download Tags: ADB, Myanmar, Sustainability, Infrastructure, Energy, Transport, Regional Cooperation Asian Development Bank and the Maldives: Fact SheetThis Asian Development Bank (ADB) Fact Sheet provides social and economic indicators on Maldives, and information on ADB operations and contact details. ADB is helping Maldives upgrade commercial and domestic harbors, ensure power supply reliability, boost economic growth, and reduce regional disparities in living standards. Projects in sustainable energy development are helping Maldives achieve carbon neutrality and reduce high fuel costs. Since 1978, ADB has approved 29 loans and grants totaling $248.53 million for Maldives, and has funded 67 technical assistance projects totaling $29.65 million. Author: Asian Development Bank Year: 2017 Download Tags: ADB, Maldives, Energy, Transport, Development, Sustainability  Asian Development Outlook (ADO) 2017 Update: Sustaining Development through Public-Private PartnershipDeveloping Asia is forecast to expand by 5.9% in 2017 and 5.8% in 2018, a slight upgrade from projections in the Asian Development Outlook 2017. However, growth forecast for South Asia is downgraded to 6.7% in 2017. India’s growth remains strong and most South Asian countries are expected to meet or exceed growth forecasts from April. Exceptions are Sri Lanka, where agriculture was affected by drought and floods, and Bhutan, where geological problems have constrained construction on two large hydropower projects. Growth in Nepal surged in 2017 on earthquake recovery but is slowing as agriculture struggles, following severe flooding in August 2017. Inflation forecast in South Asia is lowered to 4.2% for 2017 and 4.7% for 2018. Favorable global commodity prices, good harvests, and prudent macroeconomics are expected. Author: Asian Development Bank Year: 2017 Download Tags: Asia, Development, Sustainability, Public Private Partnerships, South Asia, India, Sri Lanka, Agriculture, Bhutan, Hydropower, Energy, Nepal The Internet of Things in the Power Sector: Opportunities in Asia and the PacificAsia’s power sector struggles to upgrade power systems and keep up with growing demand. The Internet of Things (IoT) has the potential to transform the power sector by optimizing operations and lowering costs for consumers. The power sector is already reaping the benefits of adoption of smart meters and smart thermostats, two consumer-oriented IoT applications. The Asian Development Bank has committed to smart grid projects in India, through a Green Energy Corridor and Grid Strengthening Project, and Maldives, through the Preparing Outer Islands for Sustainable Energy Development (Phase 1). Author: Arun Ramamurthy and Pramod Jain Year: 2017 Download Tags: Energy, ADB, India, Maldives, Sustainability Aid for Trade in Asia and the Pacific: Promoting Connectivity for Inclusive DevelopmentAid for Trade (AfT) is essential to promoting growth and tradability of services, and is a major catalyst for inclusive economic and structural information. This report looks at how trade performance in Asia and the Pacific is evolving, and highlights emerging trends in AfT. The report looks at cooperation projects in the energy sector, and shows how South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) projects fund cross-border electricity transmission, power trade, energy efficiency, capacity building, and renewable sources of energy. The report also examines the impact of AfT on trade in services and the rise of e-commerce. Author: Asian Development Bank Year: 2017 Download Tags: Trade, Energy, SASEC, Aid for Trade, ADB State of Electricity Access Report (SEAR) 2017This report presents insights drawn from emerging innovative business and delivery models so that governments, donors, the private sector, civil society organizations, and practitioners could develop interventions to close the electricity access gap. It shows that urgent measures are needed to speed up access to modern energy services in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia and that responses will have to be supported by a conducive environment of the right institutions, policies, strategic planning, and incentives. Author: World Bank Year: 2017 Download Tags: Energy, South Asia, Sustainable Development Goals Asian Development Bank and Bangladesh: Fact SheetThis Asian Development Bank (ADB) Fact Sheet provides social and economic indicators on Bangladesh, as well as concise information on ADB's operations in Bangladesh and contact information. ADB supports Bangladesh’s efforts to generate inclusive and sustainable growth, and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. ADB has provided Bangladesh with $18.3 billion for 269 loans, $252.4 million for 422 technical assistance projects, and $787.10 million for 35 grants. ADB supports projects contributing to regional connectivity to foster development along economic corridors and co-finances the SASEC Railway Connectivity: Akhaura-Laksam Double Track Project. Author: Asian Development Bank Year: 2017 Download Tags: ADB, Bangladesh, Economic Cooperation, Energy, Sustainable Development Goals, Sustainability, SASEC  Improving Lives Together in Bangladesh: 50 Years of the Asian Development BankThis report highlights the milestones in the Bangladesh-Asian Development Bank (ADB) partnership since 1973, including projects in transport and energy that have shown sustained development results. Development contributions from ADB-assisted projects in Bangladesh include the Second South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation Program (SASEC) Bangladesh-India Electrical Grid Interconnection Project that will help double electricity imports from India from the current 500 megawatts; the $505 million SASEC Railway Connectivity, Akhaura Laksam Double-Track Project, which will help railways meet passenger and freight demand; the SASEC Road Connectivity Project, which is upgrading a 70 km stretch along a corridor connecting the northwest to Dhaka to support domestic and subregional trade; and the SASEC Trade Facilitation Program, which aims to reduce non-tariff barriers by adopting international Customs administration protocols, upgrade existing Customs management systems, and establish a web-based electronic trade portal. Author: Asian Development Bank Year: 2017 Download Tags: SASEC, ADB, Bangladesh, India, Railway, Energy, Transport ESCAP Newsletter - June 2017The ESCAP Newsletter is a monthly recap of the key events, publications and other activities of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP). It highlights the key issues that the UNESCAP works on and how the organization works to support member states in reaching the objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This issue highlights the 73rd Commission Session of Asia-Pacific leaders on "Regional Cooperation for Sustainable Energy," which culminated with the adoption of resolutions advancing transport connectivity and sustainable energy development. Author: United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific Year: 2017 Download Tags: Energy, Regional Cooperation, UNESCAP, Sustainable Development, Sustainable Development Goals Regional Cooperation for Sustainable Energy in Asia and the PacificCountries in the Asia-Pacific region face multiple energy-related challenges, which are driving transformation of energy systems. Addressing these energy challenges is an integral part of implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all. This report analyzes challenges in the Asia-Pacific region and its efforts to accelerate the energy transition to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 7. Author: United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific Year: 2017 Download Tags: Asia-Pacific, Energy, Sustainability, Sustainable Development Goals, UNESCAP, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka Basic Statistics 2017Basic Statistics 2017 contains development indicators for 45 economies in the Asia and Pacific Region, including the seven SASEC countries, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. It includes selected indicators of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as the proportion of population living below $1.90 (PPP) a day, proportion of population with access to electricity, renewable energy share in the total final energy consumption, unemployment rate, total official flows for infrastructure, and trade balance. Author: Asian Development Bank Year: 2017 Download Tags: Energy, Trade Facilitation, Transport, Sustainable Development Goals, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka SASEC Powering Asia in the 21st Century SASEC Powering Asia in the 21st Century defines the SASEC Vision, framing the SASEC partnership in the larger context of the subregion’s collective growth and development by articulating shared aspirations of the SASEC countries (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, and Sri Lanka), and setting the path to achieve these through regional collaboration. The SASEC Vision lays out a subregional transformative opportunity by leveraging natural resources, promoting industry linkages for the development of regional value chains, and expanding the region’s trade and commerce through the development of subregional gateways and hubs. This document is supplemented by SASEC Vision – Myanmar. Author: South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation Year: 2017 Download Tags: SASEC, Trade Facilitation, Transport, Energy, ADB RCI Global Energy InterconnectionSustainable energy and climate change are major global concerns, yet three billion people around the world rely on wood, coal, or animal waste for cooking and heating. The interconnection of grids would open up opportunities for resource sharing and bring clean energy to much more of the world. This paper assesses benefits and outlines policy, technical, and economic preconditions for global energy interconnection. It analyzes global transmission scenarios and evaluates their impact on energy supplies and the environment. It also gives recommendations for setting standards, and where stakeholder involvement is necessary. Author: International Electrotechnical Commission Year: 2017 Download Tags: Energy, India, Nepal, Policy, Standardization, Sustainability, Trade, South Asia Renewable Energy Sector in Emerging Asia: Development and Policies (TIID Working Paper No. 1/2017)Rapid economic growth in emerging Asia has led to a critical increase of greenhouse gas emissions. Transitioning to renewable energy sources would help reduce emissions. However, massive investment is needed to make that transition. According to this paper, targeted policy interventions are needed to facilitate trade and investment in the renewable energy sector and create “green jobs” in the low-carbon and resource-efficient sectors. Author: Masato Abe, Candice Lea Marie Branchoux, Jaewon Kim Year: 2017 Download Tags: Bangladesh, Energy, Governance, Hydropower, Employment, India, Myanmar, Sustainability, UNESCAP  Meeting Asia's Infrastructure NeedsThis report estimates infrastructure investment needs in Asia and the Pacific for 2016-2030, updating the Asian Development Bank's assessment for 2010-2020 published in 2009. The report places developing Asia's investment needs at $26 trillion to maintain its growth momentum, eradicate poverty, and respond to climate change. While developing Asia's infrastructure, including its transport network and electricity generation capacity, has improved significantly over the years, it remains far from adequate – lack of reliable power supply continues to constrain economic growth and traffic congestion results in lost productivity, wasted fuel, and human stress. The report recommends $14.7 trillion investment for power and $8.4 trillion for transport. South Asia requires investments valued at 8.8% of gross domestic product. Author: Asian Development Bank Year: 2017 Download Tags: Asia, South Asia, Energy, Transport, Bangladesh, Bhutan, ADB, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Nepal Study for Development of a Potential Hydropower Plant in South AsiaRapid development in South Asia has produced a huge surge in energy demand. Nepal, with more than 83,000 megawatts of potential hydropower supply, can significantly increase the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) region's energy security. This study highlights ongoing hydropower projects in Nepal, in particular, the Sunkoshi 2 Storage Project, which has the potential to become a regional hydropower plant in South Asia. It also emphasizes the need to expand the region's power transmission infrastructure to promote power trade, and updating of policies that govern cross-border electricity trade among countries in the region. Author: SAARC Energy Centre Year: 2016 Download Tags: Hydropower, Energy, Nepal, SAARC, Trade BIMSTEC: The Road AheadThis report examines how the Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) region can utilize its intraregional network to deepen regional cooperation and integration to better the lives of the roughly 1.5 million people living in this region. It discusses issues of trade, investment, regional value chains, and connectivity, in the context of making the BIMSTEC grouping more relevant and meaningful. With BIMSTEC's enormous potential waiting to be tapped, this report urges the grouping to take advantage of newly available opportunities and harvest low
hanging fruits, including establishment of a BIMSTEC power trade network,
promotion of business-to-business and people-to-people contact, enhancement of
regional value chains, and engaging the experience and expertise of BRICS
economies. Author: Research and Information System Year: 2016 Download Tags: BIMSTEC, Regional Cooperation, Thailand, Trade, Energy Economic Benefits from Nepal-India Electricity TradeThis report confirms Nepal and India's viable electricity export potential, and highlights how facilitating cross-border trade of electricity will benefit both countries. In Nepal, substantial economic gains can boost the economy and improve the well-being of its people—in 2045 under the accelerated power trade scenario, electricity trade revenue can bring in up to $9.8 billion. In India, gains from cross-border trade centers on lower electricity system cost—hydropower imports from Nepal will allow India to forgo some investment needed to meet its capacity demand. Furthermore, hydropower will complement India's solar and wind power generation, offering an affordable and convenient renewable resource to meet its evening peak demand. Author: South Asia Regional Initiative for Energy Integration Year: 2016 Download Tags: Energy, Trade, India, Nepal, Hydropower Improving Energy Efficiency in South AsiaThis paper examines areas where the efficiency of South Asian power systems could be significantly increased, such as the operation of thermal power plants and transmission systems. It also looks at ways to increase conservation by users through time-of-use electricity tariffs, appliance standards, and demand control through smart metering. It concludes that South Asia has a significant potential for energy efficiency improvement in the power sector, which can be realized by implementing policies and programs that can readily complement the existing institutional framework. Author: Priyantha Wijayatunga and Tilak Siyambalapitiya Year: 2016 Download Tags: Energy, ADB, South Asia, ADB RCI  Improving Regulatory Environment for a Regional Power Market in South AsiaCountries in South Asia continue to experience poor access to energy, energy shortages, and concerns for energy security. Bilateral energy trading, with its limited scope, leaves untapped the vast economic, reliability, and environmental benefits of energy cooperation in the region. Improving access to modern energy sources through regional cooperation contributes toward economic growth, and better and more sustainable living conditions in South Asia. Regional energy cooperation supports the development of regional primary energy sources to generate electricity, cross-border transmission infrastructure, and a regional framework that will coordinate energy resource development and trade of electricity across the region. However, this will only be possible with appropriate policies and harmonized legal and regulatory frameworks in all necessary systems. Experience across the world indicates that such legal and regulatory changes can be accomplished successfully. Author: Anoop Singh, Priyantha Wijayatunga, and P. N. Fernando Year: 2016 Download Tags: Energy, Regional Cooperation, South Asia, ADB RCI The Little Green Data Book 2016The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) put environmental concerns on par with economic and social ones. The environment cuts across all the SDGs and is directly reflected in at least seven goals. The 2016 Little Green Data Book provides 50 indicators for 200 countries. Several indicators have the potential to measure progress on the SDGs as well as highlight important trends in the environment more broadly. The indicators are part of the larger World Development Indicators compiled annually by the World Bank from many different data sources. Author: World Bank Group Year: 2016 Download Tags: Energy, Environment, South Asia, WB Cleantech Start-ups Can Solve Climate ChangeThe Asian Development Bank (ADB), through its Climate Technology Finance Center, seeks to accelerate clean technology entrepreneurship and investment in Asia by supporting programs that aim to produce investable clean technology, risk capital for clean technology, technological knowledge, and a stronger clean technology ecosystem. This brochure gives a brief background on how ADB works with start-ups across Asia to promote more efficient management of energy and natural resources. Author: Asian Development Bank Year: 2016 Download Tags: ICT, Energy, Environment, India  Envisioning Nepal 2030Nepal's National Planning Commission has undertaken the initiative to develop Nepal’s long term Development Strategy 2030 by engaging with international development experts, development partners, policy makers, and representatives of civil society organizations in the international seminar 'Envisioning Nepal 2030'. With the aim of serving as a guideline for Nepal’s graduation from Least Developed Country status by 2022, achieve the Sustainable Development Goals in the post-Millennium Development Goals era, and become a middle-income country by 2030, the seminar identified challenges and opportunities, and discussed how a fast-paced and sustainable inclusive growth could be achieved. In his opening remarks, Asian Development Bank Vice President Wencai Zhang, underscored the importance for Nepal to strategically position itself within a broader regional cooperation to transform itself from a landlocked into a landlinked country. Author: Nepal National Planning Commission Year: 2016 Download Tags: Nepal, Hydropower, Energy, Regional Cooperation Towards a Sustainable Future: Energy Connectivity in Asia and the PacificDespite the benefits of energy connectivity, energy trade in Asia and the Pacific has remained far below its potential. This publication takes a detailed and engaging look at how smart region-wide energy connectivity could greatly improve energy supply and address the environmental impacts of energy. It maps existing energy connectivity in the region, examines ongoing initiatives, and suggests regional action plans that could lead Asia and the rest of the world to a sustainable future. Author: United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific Year: 2016 Download Tags: Asia-Pacific, Energy, Environment, Sustainability, Connectivity, UNESCAP  Hydropower @ CrossroadsIndia has significant hydropower potential and can meet a demand of around 85 gigawatts, at 60% load factor. Increasing the country’s hydropower capacity could reduce generation costs and benefit both communities and industry. Hydropower also has the advantage of contributing very little to carbon emissions. However, only 41 gigawatts of hydropower capacity has been installed, accounting for only 28% of the total potential. Hydropower can play a crucial role in India’s sustainable development and energy needs given that it meets the criteria of sustainability, availability, reliability, and affordability. This publication provides recommendations that could be of use to policymakers and other interested parties. The book lays out the status of hydroelectric power in India and analyzes opportunities to increasing capacity. It provides recommendations with regard to market development, safeguard issues, financing, land acquisition, technical challenges, hydropower planning, and enabling infrastructure. Author: The Associated Chambers of Commerce of India and PricewaterhouseCoopers Year: 2016 Download Tags: Hydropower, Energy, India ADB Annual Report 2015The Asian Development Bank's (ADB) 2015 Annual Report provides a complete picture of ADB’s performance in the reporting year. In 2015, South Asia became the fastest-growing regional economy in Asia and the Pacific, and ADB's assistance to the region approached $3.80 billion in combined loans and grants for 22 projects and $37.26 million in grants for technical assistance. Through the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) Program, ADB also continued to drive tighter integration in the region, enhancing cooperation and boosting connectivity with initiatives including helping finalize the Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal and India-Myanmar-Thailand Motor Vehicle Agreements, Bangladesh-India power grid upgradation, preparation of high-priority transport projects in Bangladesh, and analytical studies for India's East Coast Economic Corridor. Author: Asian Development Bank Year: 2016 Download Tags: ADB, SASEC, BBIN, Energy, Transport  Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific 2016The 2016 edition of UNESCAP’s Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific encourages the region to rethink its development strategy. As 2016 marks the beginning of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable development, the period is also characterized by an outlook clouded by uncertainty, with growth expected to plateau at about 5% in 2016 and 2017. Exports bound for developed economies continue to move sluggishly and domestic demand remain moderate. Thus, to bolster economic growth, the Survey recommends adopting a development model that raises domestic and regional demand. Along with active labor market policies and greater social protection, regional economic cooperation and integration--in areas covering capital markets, intraregional trade, infrastructure development, and energy and information and communications technology (ICT) connectivity--can be an important avenue for boosting domestic and regional demand. Author: United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific Year: 2016 Download Tags: Economic Growth, Regional Cooperation, ICT, Energy  Connecting Asia: Infrastructure for Integrating South and Southeast AsiaThis book contains background papers prepared for the Asian Development Bank and the Asian Development Bank Institute joint study, 'Connecting South Asia and Southeast Asia.' It emphasizes the potential contribution to growth that greater connectivity—through better transport and energy infrastructure and improved soft infrastructure, including trade facilitation—between South Asia and Southeast Asia can foster. With benefits including greater participation in global supply chains for South Asia; lower trade costs; and increase in inter- and intraregional trade, the book underscores that, at a juncture where closer regional integration can secure sustainable and inclusive growth for economies in the two regions, specific policies should be examined and considered to enable both regions to maximize gains from greater integration. Author: Michael G. Plummer, Peter J. Morgan, Ganeshan Wignaraja, eds. Year: 2016 Download Tags: South Asia, Southeast Asia, Trade Facilitation, Transport, Energy, ADB, Economic Corridor, Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, ADB RCI Sri Lanka Energy Sector Development Plan For A Knowledge-Based Economy, 2015-2025Sri Lanka has set an set an ambitious goal of 100% energy self-sufficiency by 2030. With annual total electricity demand estimated at 10,500 gigawatt hours—increasing annually by around 4-6%—and challenges including high cost of electricity, 100% dependence on imported oil for the transport sector, and need for large investments in infrastructure, this book unveils how the energy sector plans to achieve energy security in the next 10 years—envisioning a future where clean, reliable, affordable energy is made available 24/7 to the whole country. This sector development plan for a knowledge-based economy aims to provide a balance between the country's energy demand and supply, and its long-term perspective anchored on continuous economic growth, through renewable and indigenous sources of energy. Author: Sri Lanka Ministry of Power and Energy Year: 2015 Download Tags: Energy, Sri Lanka, Renewables World Energy Outlook 2015Global energy is undergoing major changes. Renewables are increasingly contributing to the the world’s power generation capacity, and coverage of mandatory energy efficiency regulation worldwide has expanded to more than a quarter of global consumption. This World Energy Outlook 2015 provides insights to policy-makers, industry and other stakeholders on the state of the energy sector today, discussing which changes are transient or cyclical, the risks and opportunities that may lie ahead, and actions that can put the energy system on a more secure and sustainable footing. It also includes a special chapter discussing India’s energy outlook, and how development in India's energy sector over the coming decades will impact the country and the global energy system as a whole. Author: International Energy Agency Year: 2015 Download Tags: Energy, India, Renewables  Knowledge and Power: Lessons from ADB Energy ProjectsThis publication highlights good practices and lessons learned from Asian Development Bank projects in energy, which comprised 26.5% of ADB's total lending commitments from 2008 to 2014. It discusses how the region's energy sources are utilized, providing updates on recent developments and challenges, highlighting the need for sustainable energy initiatives. Featured projects include the Green Power Development Project in Bhutan, which developed clean energy for regional use and promoted cross-border power trade. As the first infrastructure-focused public-private partnership in Bhutan, it also illustrated how projects can benefit with the active participation of the private sector, foreign parties, and commercial and public financial institutions. Also featured is the Bangladesh-India Electrical Grid Interconnection Project, which reduced Bangladesh's energy deficiency by enabling the country to affordably import 500 megawatts of electricity from India. This electrical link laid the groundwork for a regional energy market, an important step toward achieving a functioning regional electricity network in South Asia. Author: Asian Development Bank Year: 2015 Download Tags: Energy, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Regional Cooperation  Key Indicators for Asia and the Pacific 2015The Key Indicators for Asia and the Pacific 2015 includes up-to-date available indicators for the 48 regional members of the Asian Development Bank, including numbers on energy, trade, transport, and tourism. Key trends noted in 2014 include the rising volume of intraregional exports globally, due to robust economic growth and expanding regional networks. For Asia and Pacific economies, primary source for merchandise imports was the region itself with a 49.7% share. In energy consumption, Asia and the Pacific now consumes more than 40% of the world's electricity, with the People's Republic of China and India accounting for nearly 70% of the region's output. This 46th edition of Key Indicators also includes a special chapter on skills, education, and growth in Asia, and emphasizes the need to focus on quality and ensure that the workforce has the skills to take the region through economic transition to prosperity. Author: Asian Development Bank Year: 2015 Download Tags: Economic Growth, Energy, Trade, Transport, India Cross-Border Power Trading in South Asia: A Techno Economic RationaleSouth Asian countries have a wealth of diverse energy sources. These renewable resources, along with the varying electricity demand patterns among countries in South Asia, open up opportunities to share resources through electricity trading, which can be enabled by strengthening the electricity transmission system. This study examines the cost and benefit of six cross-border electricity transmission interconnections, and measures the economic and reliability benefits for participating countries in South Asia. Author: Priyantha Wijayatunga, D. Chattopadhyay and P. N. Fernando Year: 2015 Download Tags: Energy, SAARC, Regional Trade, ADB, ADB RCI World Trade Organization Annual Report 2015The World Trade Organization (WTO) Annual Report 2015 provides an overview of WTO activities in 2014 and early 2015. It presents a timeline of two decades of the WTO -- from its origins succeeding the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade to its current role in the multilateral trading system. It presents a chapter on how WTO helps developing countries build trade capacity and allows them to implement trade agreements. WTO training courses are organized for officials from developing countries each year. Author: World Trade Organization Year: 2015 Download Tags: Trade, Trade Policy, WTO, Tariffs, Energy, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Trade Facilitation, Transport, Asia, Agriculture Building Firm-level Trade Competitiveness in Emerging EconomiesThis paper -- produced under the E15 Initiative and implemented jointly by the International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development and World Economic Forum -- seeks to understand the framework of competitiveness and its implications for international trade. It discusses issues related to firm-level competitiveness, including the determinants; quality tools and models to address it, especially in developing economies and small and medium enterprises (SMEs); importance of diffusion and learning with a focus on SME growth; and specific policy interventions to improve firm-level competitiveness. Author: Sharmila Kantha Year: 2015 Download Tags: Firms, SME, Trade, Development, Sustainability, India, South Asia, Energy  Aid for Trade in Asia and the Pacific: Thinking Forward About Trade Costs and the Digital EconomyAid for Trade (AfT) flows have increased each year since 2006 in Asia and the Pacific. While regional aggregate trade costs continue to fall, many subregions still struggle with trade costs that are substantially higher than the global average. This report highlights and explores how AfT contributed to these emerging trends in Asia and the Pacific and how to continue to address trade costs moving forward. Among the subregions, the Pacific (along with South Asia) has made the greatest improvements in the Logistics Performance Index from 2007-2014. Recent exporter surveys reveal a movement toward niche products and leveraging of e-commerce as a means to overcome cost and distance. Emerging digital technologies such as e-commerce further offers a new set of opportunities for economies in the region to grow through trade. Author: Asian Development Bank Year: 2015 Download Tags: Aid for Trade, Asia-Pacific, ICT, South Asia, Trade, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Sri Lanka, Agriculture, Energy, Transport SAARC: The Way AheadThis Observer Research Foundation Issue Brief examines the South Asia Association for Regional Cooperation as a regional grouping that is almost three decades old. It discusses trade arrangements such as the South Asian Preferential Trading Arrangement aimed towards a higher level of intraregional trade liberalization and economic cooperation, including the South Asia Free Trade Area for reduction of Customs duties on traded goods. The paper further studies areas of energy, connectivity, foreign direct investment, trade in services and subregional cooperation. The South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation Program is offered as one of the steps in the direction of having a viable option for subregional cooperation. Author: Jayshree Sengupta Year: 2015 Download Tags: Regional Cooperation, SAARC, Trade, Connectivity, Energy, FDI, Investment, Free Trade Agreements, Services, South Asia  How Much Could South Asia Benefit from Regional Electricity Cooperation and Trade?This paper assesses the potential economic benefits of cross-border electricity cooperation and trade in South Asia from 2015 to 2040. It focuses on the possibilities of unlimited power flow across borders in response to regional demands and investment in generation and transmission to cost-effectively meet those demands. The study quantifies the potential economic benefits that South Asia could reap if the countries engage with full regional electricity trade and cooperation. Among South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation countries, Bhutan and Nepal have the potential to cost-effectively supply electricity from hydroelectric resources in excess of their own demands; Bangladesh and India are likely to become more dependent on higher-cost coal as well as natural gas to generate electricity. The countries of the South Asia region also have non-coincident demand peaks across the year, implying gains from trade. Author: The World Bank Year: 2015 Download Tags: Energy, South Asia, Trade, Bangladesh, India, SASEC Clean Energy and Access to Infrastructure: Implications for the Global Trade SystemThis paper focuses on how international trade rules could better accommodate renewable energy trade through fixed infrastructure. It explains the World Trade Organization disciplines relevant to trade in clean energy via fixed infrastructure, in particular General Agreement on Trade in Services disciplines on energy services and General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade transit rules. Finally, it suggests policy options to adopt existing rules to the challenges of integrating clean energy transported via fixed infrastructure. Author: International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development Year: 2015 Download Tags: Energy, Trade, WTO, India, South Asia, Sustainability, Tariff Cross-Border Electricity Cooperation in South AsiaStrengthening cross-border electricity cooperation in South Asia can be part of the solution for providing adequate and reliable electricity. This World Bank Policy Research Working Paper reviews the status of cross-border electricity cooperation in South Asia, identifies key regional-level barriers to expand cross-border cooperation and trade in South Asia, and discusses the extent to which current domestic sector policies impede greater cross-border electricity cooperation. Finally, the findings offer policy recommendations on increased cross-border trade and cooperation. Author: Anoop Singh, Tooraj Jamasb, Rabindra Nepal, and Michael Toman Year: 2015 Download Tags: Energy, Regional Cooperation, Regional Trade, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, South Asia, Sri Lanka, Trade, Trade Policy, WB  Asia-Pacific Countries with Special Needs Development Report 2015In the Asia-Pacific region, 36 out of the 58 economies are considered countries with special needs (CSN), which include least developed countries (LDC), landlocked developing countries, and small island developing States. This report highlights important areas that should be addressed as key priorities by CSNs such as economic diversification, external trade, South-South cooperation, and official development assistance including foreign direct investment. Bhutan and Nepal met the criteria for graduation from LDC status as of 2013. Other countries such as Bangladesh have a good chance of meeting the graduation criteria by 2018. Among the Small island developing States, Maldives is considered a success story in broadband internet connectivity. The results of this research show that Asia-Pacific CSNs must choose their paths to diversification carefully, depending on country circumstances. Author: United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific Year: 2015 Download Tags: Asia-Pacific, Least Developed Countries, Small Island Developing States, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Energy, FDI, Investment, Maldives, Nepal, Trade, Transport, UNESCAP Policy Enablers for New Wind Energy MarketsThis publication focuses on the wind energy policies that can support sustained development of wind power in emerging wind energy markets. The policies are based on the work done by Quantum Leap in Wind Power Development in Asia and the Pacific (QLW). QLW is a $2 million, 3-year project funded by the Asian Development Bank, to facilitate wind power sector development in developing countries. The success and failures of wind energy policies in Mongolia, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka – including its impact and evolution – are analyzed in this report. Author: Pramod Jain and Bo An Year: 2015 Download Tags: Energy, Asia-Pacific, Sri Lanka, Sustainability, ADB 25 Years on the Ground: ADB-Nepal Partnership for Inclusive DevelopmentThis publication commemorates 25 years of Nepal Resident Mission’s opening and provides an overview of the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) operation in Nepal over the years. It highlights ADB-assisted projects and Nepal’s association with the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) initiative, to further enhance the nation’s role in regional and world trade. These projects aim for regional energy cooperation (SASEC Power System Expansion Project), as well as subregional cooperation and connectivity in the transport sector (SASEC Road Connectivity Project and Subregional Transport Facilitation Project). Author: Asian Development Bank Year: 2015 Download Tags: Nepal, Transport, Energy, ADB RCI Electricity Consumption, Output, and Trade in BhutanThis ADB South Asia Working Paper examines the relationship between electricity consumption, international trade, and economic growth using an augmented production function framework. The findings show that Bhutan is energy-dependent and can promote economic growth through future investment in hydropower. More specifically, the results show that a 1% increase in (i) electricity consumption generates 0.03%-0.05% increase in output, (ii) total trade results in 0.5% increase in output, (iii) trade openness results in 1% increase in output. Author: Hooi Hooi Lean and Russell Smyth Year: 2015 Download Tags: Energy, Trade, Bhutan, ADB, South Asia, Hydropower, ADB RCI  Unlocking Bhutan’s Potential: Measuring Potential Output for the Small, Landlocked Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan The hydropower sector has driven Bhutan's economic growth in the past two decades with growth rates averaging 7.9%. Yet, the economy has not been invulnerable to market fluctuations and external shocks. This ADB South Asia Working Paper analyzes how Bhutan can create sustainable and inclusive growth, alongside the continuous expansion of its hydropower industry. It examines how certain policies can impact Bhutan's potential growth over 2013–2030. Results show that higher investment in education, health, and efforts to diversify its economic base—including enhancement of new industries with linkages to regional and global value chains—can further drive economic growth and improve the country's living standards. Author: Sabyasachi Mitra, Sarah Carrington, and Anthony Baluga Year: 2014 Download Tags: Bhutan, Energy, Economics, Hydropower, ADB, South Asia, Sustainability, Global Value Chains, Economic Growth A World Trade Organization for the 21st Century: The Asian PerspectiveThis Asian Development Bank Institute book examines key changes in the world trading system and explores policy implications for Asia. Through a compilation of essays from prominent international and Asian trade experts, this book presents interaction of market forces and trade regulation. Lessons from the Asian experience offer new approaches and economic policies to sustain growth, presenting the World Trade Organization as a forum to improve regional and global trade governance in the 21st century. Author: Richard E. Baldwin, Masahiro Kawai, Ganeshan Wignaraja (Eds.) Year: 2014 Download Tags: Trade, Trade Policy, WTO, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Energy, India, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Transport Seaborne Trade between South Asia and Southeast Asia This Asian Development Bank Institute paper examines trade and the main ports around the Bay of Bengal to identify projects that will enable trade and contribute to improved maritime infrastructure. It also reviews the nature of trade and trade patterns, particularly through the Indian East Coast Corridor study. The paper develops further strategic options for seaport adjustment around the Bay of Bengal to support trade evolution, policy assessment, and other constraints. Author: David Wignall, Mark Wignall Year: 2014 Download Tags: Transport, Trade, Ports, ADB, India, Economic Corridor, Bangladesh, Energy, Myanmar, Sri Lanka  Regional Integration in South Asia: Trends, Challenges and ProspectsThis study presents an assessment of trade and economic cooperation among South Asian nations, explores emerging challenges, and highlights policy issues to foster regional integration. It provides perspectives on potential new areas of cooperation such as investment, regional supply chains, energy, and cross border transport networks. The four areas of focus are: potential gains from South Asian regional integration, key areas for cooperation resulting in effective regional integration, country perspectives of regional cooperation, and case studies on bilateral cooperation. This volume aims to further contribute to policy discourse on effective regional cooperation with perspectives from Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
Author: Mohammad A. Razzaque, Yurendra Basnett (Eds.) Year: 2014 Download Tags: South Asia, Regional Integration, Regional Cooperation, Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Energy UNCTAD Transport Newsletter: Fourth Quarter 2014This United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) newsletter focuses on the development dimension and benefits of the World Trade Organization Trade Facilitation Agreement. It includes sections on the national trade facilitation committees, project proposal for the implementation of trade facilitation measures contained in the agreement, and improvement in implementation of sanitary and phytosanitary measures to facilitate trade. It also includes UNCTAD’s contribution to trade facilitation in Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States. Author: United Nations Conference on Trade and Development Year: 2014 Download Tags: Trade Facilitation, WTO, UNCTAD, Transport, Development, Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures, Energy, India Statistical Yearbook for Asia and the Pacific 2014The Statistical Yearbook contains comparative statistics and facts about the 58 regional members and associate members of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific. It includes brief analyses of 32 key development features such as energy supply and use, international trade, and transport, among others. In energy, the region’s production structure is highly resource-intensive, although per capita energy use is low. The section on international trade recommends focusing on raising domestic value-added rather than increasing gross exports in Asia and the Pacific. Finally, investment in environmentally sustainable transport is encouraged. Author: United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific Year: 2014 Download Tags: Asia-Pacific, Energy, Trade, Transport, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka  The Connectivity AgendaThis article appeared in the special issue of My Republica published on the occasion of the 18th SAARC Summit. Mr. Ronald Antonio Q. Butiong, Unit head of the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) Regional Cooperation and Operations Coordination Division of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), traces the blueprints of SASEC projects to the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Regional Multimodal Transport Study (2006) and SAARC Regional Energy Trade Study (2010); two studies supported by ADB and endorsed by SAARC member states. Highlighting the SASEC focus to promote economic cooperation in the subregion by developing cross-border connectivity and facilitating intra-regional trade in South Asia through its priority sectors—energy, transport, and trade facilitation—Mr. Butiong explains how ADB is providing assistance to sections of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal along SAARC corridors through SASEC. Featuring a brief discussion of key SASEC projects and technical assistance (since 2001, 33 projects implemented, worth over US$6 billion) alongside institution and capacity-building support, the article shows how the SASEC connectivity agenda is part of achieving SAARC development objectives. Author: Ronald Antonio Q. Butiong Year: 2014 Download Tags: SAARC, Energy, Transport, Trade Facilitation Bridging Transport, ICT, and Energy Infrastructure Gaps for Seamless Regional ConnectivityThis publication is a contribution by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific to deliberations at the Second United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) in Vienna, Austria, 3-5 November 2014. It shows regional connectivity as an unfinished agenda and bridging infrastructure gaps as a complex challenge for LLDCs. While physical infrastructure is a priority, this report argues that deeper regional integration – through regionally cohesive and terrestrial networks – is key to effectively linking Asian LLDCs to the region’s infrastructure networks. Author: United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific Year: 2014 Download Tags: Transport, ICT, Energy, UNESCAP, SASEC, Connectivity, Infrastructure, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Trade, Trade Facilitation, Policy, Trade Policy  Industrialization and Global Value Chain Participation: An Examination of Constraints Faced by the Private Sector in NepalThis paper examines the constraints behind and beyond Nepal's borders that hinder its full participation in global value chains (GVC). Basing the analysis on recent and relevant publications, key economic data, and interviews with policymakers and stakeholders, the authors explain how weak and uncertain industrial policy has led to de-industrialization. They also looked at the effects of inadequate infrastructure, energy shortage, and inefficient transit. Failures in coordination, shallow regional integration and non-tariff barriers also bar further growth of Nepal's industrial development and GVC participation. The authors recommend necessary domestic reforms for behind-the-border constraints, and subregional partnerships—facilitated through the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation program—for beyond-the-border challenges. Author: Yurendra Basnett and Posh Raj Pandey Year: 2014 Download Tags: Infrastructure, Private Sector, Nepal, Global Value Chains, Industrialization, Infrastructure, Energy, Transport, Regional Integration, SASEC SASEC Website BrochureThis promotional brochure for the SASEC website features the web portal as a one-stop shop for information on SASEC activities, events, projects, and knowledge materials. The SASEC website seeks to build a dynamic discussion platform and repository of data on regional cooperation. Author: Asian Development Bank Year: 2014 Download Tags: SASEC, Knowledge Product, ICT, ADB, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, South Asia, Transport, Trade Facilitation, Energy SASEC BrochureThis promotional brochure is a concise introduction to the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) Program, highlighting the main areas of regional cooperation and activity. It includes facts and figures about SASEC projects in transport, trade facilitation, energy, and ICT. Author: Asian Development Bank Year: 2014 Download Tags: SASEC, Trade Facilitation, Regional Cooperation, ICT, ADB, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Energy, Transport, Connectivity, Myanmar  A Connectivity-Driven Development Strategy for Nepal: From a Landlocked to a Land-Linked StateTransforming Nepal from a landlocked into a land-linked state, the authors argue, could be key to unlocking the country's much-awaited growth. With its strategic location between India and the People's Republic of China, a connectivity-driven development strategy could energize Nepal's lackluster post-conflict economic performance. Further, Nepal implements a multi-track approach to promoting regional cooperation and integration in connectivity with its neighbors, reinforced through participation in South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation, and South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation. By identifying ten priority projects that could further boost Nepal's connectivity, the paper also discusses how strengthening Nepal's transport, energy, and trade links could benefit the region. However, the authors also warn against “internal threats” to Nepal's development—corruption and the country's difficult political situation. Author: Pradumna B. Rana and Binod Karmacharya Year: 2014 Download Tags: Nepal, Economic Corridor, Regional Trade, Connectivity, Development, Economic Growth, SASEC, India, Regional Cooperation, Regional Integration, SAARC, BIMSTEC, Transport, Energy, Trade Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific 2014This 2014 edition of UNESCAP's flagship publication emphasizes the importance of furthering regional connectivity in Asia-Pacific—a region which, despite significant reductions in poverty levels, is now witnessing rising income inequality, both within and between countries. It calls for driving the region's growth by exploiting the interdependence and synergies of five elements: trade and transport connectivity, ICT networks, energy connectivity, people-to-people networks, and promotion of knowledge-based economies, and advocates approaching connectivity as a regional public good. Author: UNESCAP Year: 2014 Download Tags: Economic Integration, Regional Cooperation, Poverty Reduction, Asia-Pacific, Connectivity, Energy, ICT, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Trade, Transport, UNESCAP  Key Indicators for Asia and the Pacific 2014This year's edition presents an in-depth inquiry on poverty in Asia, tackling whether the $1.25/day extreme poverty standard still accurately depicts minimum living standard of the poor in Asia and the Pacific. Using this broad measure, the poverty rate is projected to fall to 24.5% for South Asia by 2030, if recent economic growth trends continue. However, considering the current national poverty line average among today's less developed economies in the region, an Asia-specific extreme poverty line is more accurately estimated at $1.51/day, increasing Asia’s poverty rate in 2010 by 9.8%, and of a large economy like India by 15%. Hence, despite huge gains made, reducing poverty remains a pressing challenge in Asia and the Pacific. This book proposes several measures to counteract worsening poverty, including close regional cooperation which can reduce a country’s vulnerability, and urgent policy actions that promote economic growth and prioritize climate change adaptation and mitigation. Author: Asian Development Bank Year: 2014 Download Tags: Poverty Reduction, Disaster Risk, Regional Cooperation, Asia-Pacific, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Economics, Energy, India, Maldives, Milennium Development Goals, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Sustainability, Transport Assessing the Costs of Climate Change and Adaptation in South AsiaThis book discusses the economic costs and benefits of unilateral and regional actors on climate change adaptation in Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. It provides the total economic loss throughout the 21st century and estimates the funding required for adaptation measures to avert potential losses. Huge impacts are likely on vulnerable sectors in the region, with South Asia losing on average nearly 2% of its gross domestic product by 2050. Results of the study will aid climate change adaptation in the region, including initiatives for regional cooperation. Author: Mahfuz Ahmed and Suphachol Suphachalasai Year: 2014 Download Tags: Climate, South Asia, Regional Cooperation, Energy, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka  Nepal: Development Effectiveness Brief 2014Nepal has the potential to achieve more inclusive growth and can largely benefit from regional cooperation and integration with its developing neighbors. It is also benefiting from South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation, a flagship ADB-supported program that promotes economic cooperation and integration in areas of trade facilitation (custom modernization and transport connectivity), power development, trade, and tourism development. This brief further explores ADB’s contribution to inclusive development and poverty reduction, energy, and transport. Exporting energy when surplus is available is one way of meeting seasonal demand by subregional cooperation and power trade. Transport infrastructure is also another key ingredient to equitable, inclusive growth that can address challenges such as lack of market access, inadequate roads, and poor connectivity. Author: Asian Development Bank Year: 2014 Download Tags: Nepal, Regional Cooperation, South Asia, ADB, Connectivity, Energy, Roads, SASEC, Trade, Transport Future of Factory AsiaThis volume, co-published by the Asian Development Bank and the Korea Economic Research Institute, reflects one of the broad thematic sessions of the Seoul conference, Beyond Factory Asia. It assesses the challenges and sustainability of the Factory Asia model – supplying from the East and consuming in the West – and provides suggestions and strategies on effective management of these concerns. The volume further analyzes obstacles in the success of Factory Asia, its speed in expanding its own domestic and regional markets, and its progress in upgrading competitiveness in the manufacturing sector. The new Factory Asia must nurture new sources of growth in the region and focus on regional economic integration. Author: Choi Byung-il and Changyong Rhee (eds.) Year: 2014 Download Tags: Economic Integration, Asia-Pacific, Trade Policy, ADB, Asia, Manufacturing, Regional Integration, Bangladesh, Energy, Sri Lanka, Transport  Energy Security, Sustainability, and Affordability in Asia and the PacificEnergy security, sustainability, and affordability from 2010 to 2035 for Asian Development Bank’s Asia and Pacific members are calculated in this working paper, including potential benefits of integrating energy systems regionally. Based on business-as-usual and alternative scenarios, outlook on SASEC member countries by 2035 include (i) dramatic improvement in Bhutan's energy efficiency, (ii) slight decrease in Bangladesh's energy intensity—although carbon dioxide will increase in its primary energy mix, as dependence on fossil fuels rise, and (iii) decrease in energy self-sufficiency of SASEC member countries by 2035, but improved energy affordability. Since renewable energy sources and importation of energy may be capital-intensive, requiring additional tariff support, regional cooperation can enhance affordability and energy security—with Bhutan and Nepal standing to benefit greatly from energy integration in South Asia. Author: Norberto Fueyo, Antonio Gómez, and César Dopazo Year: 2014 Download Tags: Energy, Bhutan, Nepal, Sustainability, Asia-Pacific, ADB, Regional Integration, SASEC, South Asia, Bangladesh, Sustainability, Renewables, Tariff, Regional Cooperation Opportunity Cost of Natural Gas Subsidies in BangladeshThis paper examines the impact of optimal gas pricing policy using a general equilibrium model for the Bangladesh economy. It estimates the opportunity cost of underpricing or subsidizing gas in Bangladesh. It further explores the potential impacts of an increase in investment on social and physical infrastructure using the social accounting matrix multiplier model. The results reveal that Bangladesh is losing a significant development opportunity due to its gas subsidy. Calculations using a dynamic computable general equilibrium model suggest that withdrawal of the gas subsidy along with increased investments in physical and social infrastructure would lead to positive macroeconomic and sectoral effects in Bangladesh. Author: Herath Gunatilake and Selim Raihan Year: 2014 Download Tags: Bangladesh, Energy, ADB, Investment  Trade and Investment Barriers Affecting International Production Networks in IndiaRecognizing India as an outlier in development of international production networks with the lowest participation among Asian countries, this study investigates the reason for India’s lackluster participation in production-sharing networks. Using desk work, field surveys, and interviews, an analysis is adopted with three comparator countries in the region that have been successful in production-sharing arrangements as well as industrial growth – China, Malaysia, and Thailand. It further describes foreign direct investment inflows into India, analyzes behind-the-border investment environment, and provides recommendations to improve investment climate and hasten the pace of manufacturing development in India. Author: Anwarul Hoda and Durgesh Kumar Rai Year: 2014 Download Tags: India, Trade, Production Networks, Investment, Thailand, Manufacturing, Customs, Economic Corridor, Energy, Trade Facilitation, Transport Green Power for Bhutan: Clean Energy Crosses Borders to Reach Poor HouseholdsConstructed under the ADB-financed Green Power Development Project, Bhutan's Dagachhu hydropower plant showcases how a public–private partnership for hydropower development successfully promotes cross-border energy trade, contributes to increased national energy security, and improves access to on- and off-grid energy for 9,000 rural households and public facilities. This report reviews the project's key features and discusses how an investment in renewable energy infrastructure is leading Bhutan and its neighboring countries toward greater inclusive growth. Author: Asian Development Bank Year: 2014 Download Tags: Energy, Infrastructure, Poverty Reduction, Bhutan, ADB RCI  Global Competitiveness Report 2013-2014The World Economic Forum's Global Competitiveness Report offers a platform for dialogue among key stakeholders in government, business, and civil society on improving the living standards of the world’s citizens through insights on institutions, policies, and factors that drive or hinder growth and national competitiveness. Using the Global Competitiveness Index (GCI), twelve pillars are considered, including infrastructure, which, among factor-driven economies of Bangladesh, India, and Nepal, impacts the location of economic activity, reduces distance between regions, and enables production and faster flow of goods. Market size—essential for countries with small domestic markets—is another key index measured. The 2013-2014 report also includes an assessment of newly-covered Bhutan, and an analysis for the drop in India's GCI ranking. Author: Klaus Schwab Year: 2014 Download Tags: Economics, Poverty Reduction, Infrastructure, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Energy, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Transport Together We Deliver: 10 Stories from ADB-Supported Projects Together We Deliver showcases ten ADB projects across Asia and the Pacific that demonstrate clear development impacts, replicable best practices, and valuable use of innovation. Among those highlighted is SASEC's Green Power Development Project in Bhutan, which is boosting the national economy through clean energy exports to India and also funding social programs that bring electricity to more than 8,500 rural poor households. The book also features a rural road project in India that connects remote communities to schools, hospitals, and other facilities. Capturing a wide range of ADB's assistance, the book portrays how ADB is changing for better the lives of many in Asia and the Pacific region. Author: Asian Development Bank Year: 2014 Download Tags: Regional Cooperation, Bhutan, India, Development, Energy Asian Development Outlook 2014: Fiscal Policy for Inclusive GrowthThe Asian Development Outlook, ADB’s flagship economic publication provides comprehensive macroeconomic analysis in Asia including growth projections by country and region. The Asian Development Outlook 2014 forecasts that developing Asia will grow 6.2% in 2014 and 6.4% in 2015. South Asia remains one of the slowest growing subregions—although growth is forecast to improve by 5.3% in 2014 and 5.8% in 2015. Author: Asian Development Bank Year: 2014 Download Tags: ADB, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Economic Corridor, Energy, India, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Transport Simulating World Trade in the Decades Ahead: Driving Forces and Policy ImplicationsThis working paper considers economic prospects up to the year 2100, offering assumptions about key exogenous variables, providing a baseline for climate change policy evaluation, and discussing sectoral and trade issues. The paper combines an economic growth model with a multi-sectoral model to construct scenarios for around 150 countries up to a maximum time horizon of 2035, with forecasts on a number of key variables such as energy prices, demographics, etc. It suggests that trends toward increased regionalization may be reversed, with multilateral trade relationships gaining in importance. Author: Lionel Fontagné, Jean Fouré and Alexander Keck Year: 2014 Download Tags: Climate, Trade, Statistics, Trade Policy, Policy, Energy, Tariff, ASEAN, India, Environment  Solving India’s Renewable Energy Financing Challenge: Which Federal Policies can be Most Effective?As India works toward increasing the use of renewable energy across the country, unsubsidized renewable energy remains 52-129% more expensive than conventional energy and needs policy support. This joint publication by the Climate Policy Initiative and Indian School of Business weighs in on federal policies that can provide a solution to India's renewable energy challenge, and asks whether existing support policies are the most cost effective.
Various policies are assessed, in light of the different criteria federal policymakers consider. Existing federal policies are compared with a recommended class of debt-related federal policies using a suggested framework. The study concludes that long-term, debt-related policies are more cost-effective. The research also presents viable short-term policy options. Author: Gireesh Shrimali, Shobhit Goel, Sandhya Srinivasan, David Nelson Year: 2014 Download Tags: Energy, Climate, India Lose to Gain: Is Involuntary Resettlement a Development Opportunity?This book examines how displaced persons recover from physical and economic displacement in the South Asian context using resettlement case studies from India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. Despite improvement in national policies and willingness to enforce good practices, the level of involuntary resettlement good practices in South Asia varies widely. There is need for greater commitment, legal reforms, and adequate resources to ensure that involuntary resettlement becomes a development opportunity for all project-affected persons. Author: Perera, Jayantha (ed.) Year: 2014 Download Tags: India, Nepal, South Asia, Resettlement, Bangladesh, Energy, Renewables, Sri Lanka, Transport Who Shapes Climate Action in India? Insights from the Wind and Solar Energy SectorsThis report discusses climate change as a problem with domestic and international dimensions that intersect in complex ways. It focuses on the main players - including government, private sector, and civil society - by attempting to understand their influence in shaping climate change within India. Wind and solar sectors are highlighted as renewable energy is an important part of the energy mix and there has been remarkable activity in these sectors in recent years. The case studies describe key discourse and perceptions influencing renewable energy policy and the central questions shaping climate policy in India. Author: Ankur Chaudhary, Ankita Narain, Chetan Krishna and Ambuj Sagar Year: 2014 Download Tags: Climate, Energy, India South Asia Energy Security: Challenges and OpportunitiesThe imbalance between the growing demand for energy in South Asia and the countries' uneven energy resources has led to weakened energy security in the region. Import dependence from outside the region has become a costly solution. As countries in South Asia move to expand their economies, fostering cross border energy trade and promoting energy investment opportunities could be a better alternative to resolving the energy deficit. However, energy cooperation within South Asia is challenged by major issues that could impede regional energy trade that is beneficial for all. Author: Bhupendra Kumar Singh Year: 2013 Download Tags: Energy, South Asia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Trade, Hydropower Reducing Poverty by Closing South Asia's Infrastructure GapThis report takes a critical look at inter-and intra-regional infrastructure of South Asia and explores inequality of access across space and time. It gives an approximate total cost of regional infrastructure needs and investment trends in the South Asia region, along with a proposed framework on ranking of infrastructure needs. The report also examines better usage of existing resources and policy options to help the poorest gain better access to infrastructure.
Finally, it recognizes the enormity of infrastructure deficiencies in South Asia and acknowledges that a good mix of infrastructure investment and supportive reform implementation will enable the region to close the infrastructure gap. Author: Luis Andrés, Dan Biller, and Matías Herrera Dappe Year: 2013 Download Tags: Transport, South Asia, Infrastructure, Energy, Roads, Railway, Water Supply, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, Maldives Connecting South Asia and Southeast Asia: Interim ReportThis joint ADB-ADBI study focuses on how improved physical connectivity (infrastructure) and associated institutional connectivity (software) can enhance more effective economic integration between the two subregions. The report reviews economic ties, identifies issues and constraints, and explores better connectivity and closer economic integration. It also examines major developments in South Asia-Southeast Asia trade and investment, economic cooperation, role of economic corridors, and regional cooperation initiatives. Author: ADB and ADBI Year: 2013 Download Tags: Infrastructure, Economic Integration, Regional Cooperation, Trade, Transport, Trade Facilitation, Economic Corridor, Energy ADB Regional Cooperation Operations Business Plan (RCOBP) 2014-2016 for South AsiaADB's third Regional Cooperation Operations Business Plan (RCOBP) 2014-2016 for South Asia under its South Asia Regional Cooperation Strategy (RCS) 2011-2015 details a cumulative indicative lending program of $3.3 billion and maintains focus on improved regional connectivity, increased cross-border trade, and strengthened regional economic cooperation. Author: Asian Development Bank Year: 2013 Download Tags: Regional Cooperation, Regional Integration, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Trade Facilitation, Transport, Energy, SAARC Financing Low-Carbon UrbanDevelopment in South Asia: A Post-2012 Context The cities of South Asia are growing at an unprecedented rate. Currently, the region
accounts for 5 of the world's 26 megacities (Delhi, Dhaka, Karachi, Kolkata, and
Mumbai),with Kolkata and Mumbai being the most dense. The urban population in
India is expected to increase by 20.8 percentage points between 2010 and 2050 compared
to 7.8 percentage points in Latin America and the Caribbean. These trends necessitate bold
efforts in project design and financing to steer this rapid urbanization onto an inclusive, green,
and low-carbon urban development path. Author: Asian Development Bank Year: 2013 Download Tags: Climate, Energy, India, South Asia, Kyoto Protocol, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, India, Maldives, Sri Lanka Energy Outlook for Asia and the Pacific: October 2013The Energy Outlook for Asia and the Pacific aims to support ADB energy sector operations
by providing stakeholders with an energy outlook for the region up to the year 2035.
It attempts to identify policy, social, infrastructure, and technology issues that must be
addressed to meet future energy need of ADB members in Asia and the Pacific. Author: Asian Development Bank Year: 2013 Download Tags: Energy, Infrastructure, Renewables, Hydropower, Transport, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Maldives, Sri Lanka Climate Action South Asia: Information Update No. 3 (The Economics of Climate Change in South Asia: Adaptation and Impact Assessment)Analyses show that the cost of early action on climate change in South Asia is lower than
the cost of damage brought about by climate change impacts. In physical terms, the region
will face water shortage and agricultural food production losses, which are vital to achieving
poverty reduction and other Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Author: Asian Development Bank Year: 2013 Download Tags: Economics, Climate, Agriculture, Climate Change, Environment, South Asia, Milennium Development Goals, Sustainability, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Maldives, Poverty Reduction, Hydropower, Energy Climate Action South Asia: Information Update No. 2 (Economics of Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions in South Asia: Options and Costs)The study Economics of Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Options and Costs in Bangladesh, Bhutan, the Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka reveals excellent opportunities in low-carbon green growth by pursuing resource- and energyefficient technologies that would lower emissions of greenhouse gases at low cost or even cost saving (benefits). Author: Asian Development Bank Year: 2013 Download Tags: Economics, Climate, Climate Change, Economics, South Asia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Energy, Environment, Sustainability, ADB, Nepal, Development, Hydropower Sector Roadmaps with Result FrameworksSector roadmaps with result frameworks for transport, energy, and trade facilitation. Author: Asian Development Bank Year: 2011 Download Tags: Trade Facilitation, Energy, Transport, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka South Asia- Intra Regional Cooperation: The Way ForwardThis study aims to showcase the benefits of regional integration and recommends strategies for overcoming the many hurdles. Author: Shahid Kardar Year: 2011 Download Tags: Policy, Economic Cooperation, Regional Integration, Development, SAARC, Non-Tariff Measures, Trade Facilitation, SAFTA, India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka, BIMSTEC, Myanmar, SASEC, Energy  The Institutions of Regionalism in South Asia - Do Institutions Matter?This paper assesses the contribution of key institutions of regional cooperation and integration (RCI) in South Asia, and suggests ways in which the Asian Development Bank and other development partners can strengthen their support. It attempts to enhance understanding on the interplay between politics and RCI, including how good bilateral political relations or improvements have advanced RCI. With the overall political environment growing increasingly open to RCI, the paper suggests the time has come for the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) to consider strengthening the capacity of the SAARC Secretariat to meet the growing challenges and work load of managing the anticipated increase in RCI. Author: Prabhu Ghate Year: 2011 Download Tags: Regional Cooperation, Regional Integration, Development, SAARC, Trade, Services, Trade Facilitation, Energy, Free Trade Agreements, SAFTA, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Transport Energy Trade in South Asia: Opportunities and ChallengesThe South Asia Regional Energy Study was completed as an important component of the regional technical assistance project Preparing the Energy Sector Dialogue and South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation Energy Center Capacity Development. It involved examining regional energy trade opportunities among all the member states of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation. The study provides interventions to improve regional energy cooperation in different timescales, including specific infrastructure projects which can be implemented during these periods. Author: Sultan Hafeez Rahman / Priyantha D. C. Wijayatunga / Herath Gunatilake / P. N. Fernando Year: 2011 Download Tags: Energy, Regional Cooperation, Regional Integration, SAARC, Trade, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Maldives, Sri Lanka Gas Hydrates Resource Potential of South AsiaThe amount of natural gas worldwide is estimated to be greater than the entire world’s conventional natural gas resources, which makes gas hydrates a potential energy resource for the future. This document reviews the status of technology regarding exploration and exploitation of gas hydrates, as well as research initiatives by India and other countries of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). It also suggests a mechanism for technology transfer and promotion of research and development in the SAARC region. Author: SAARC Energy Centre Year: 2010 Download Tags: Energy, South Asia, SAARC The Provision of Regional Public Goods in South AsiaThis report reviews the provision of high priority regional public goods (RPGs) selected
for the South Asia subregion, and proposes areas of cooperation for improving the provisioning of RPGs in South Asia. It highlights the issues in cross border management of infrastructure projects and best practices in the provisioning of RPGs relevant for South Asia, evaluates ADB’s contributions to providing RPGs in the subregion, and concludes with recommendations on ADB’s South Asia Regional Department’s role in the provision of RPGs in the subregion. Author: Khaja Moinuddin Year: 2010 Download Tags: Energy, Agriculture, Disaster Risk, Governance, Poverty Reduction, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Trade Facilitation, Transport Binding Contraints to Regional Cooperation and Integration in South AsiaThis paper examines the benefits of regional cooperation and integration, focusing on the cost of neglecting to address the binding constraints to regional cooperation and integration. Component papers in this volume analyze the current state of play, and identifies the binding constraints to achieving more efficient transport corridors, regional energy trade and trade facilitation in the region. Author: Gilberto M. Llanto Year: 2010 Download Tags: Regional Cooperation, Economic Integration, Trade Facilitation, Energy, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Transport Infrastructure for a Seamless AsiaThe study reviews regional infrastructure being enhanced through regional cooperation in Asia and examines major issues and challenges. It suggests a framework for pan-Asian infrastructure cooperation, anchored on a long-term vision of creating a seamless Asia that will not only enhance the region's competitiveness and extend its global reach, but also help reduce poverty and promote greater environmental sustainability. Author: Asian Development Bank / Asian Development Bank Institute Year: 2009 Download Tags: Regional Cooperation, Regional Integration, Transport, Trade Facilitation, Connectivity, India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Asian Highway, Trans-Asian Railway Network, Energy, Myanmar |
