Topic: Asian Development Bank

Lifted sanctions may mean opportunities for Myanmar

The European Union announced Monday that it was lifting sanctions to reward Myanmar for its recent political reforms.

Thailand's blueprint to rein in fallout from floods and drought

Hundreds died and businesses lost billion in last year's floods, caused in part by overflow from dams filled to hedge against drought. This year, Thailand is testing different prevention measures.

Typhoon Sendong: Did illegal logging cause flash flooding in Philippines?

Typhoon Sendong death toll rises to 1,000. Philippine President Benigno Aquino orders an investigation into national disaster, wonders if violations of logging ban exacerbated Typhoon Sendong damages.

Vietnam loses appeal to foreign investment amid economic woes

Vietnam, once seen as on its way to joining economic tigers Taiwan and South Korea, has seen foreign investment decline sharply amid labor problems, crumbling roads, and the global financial crisis.

Cambodia launches first stock exchange - sort of

Cambodia officially opened its first stock exchange. The problem? There aren't any stocks to trade.

Gender inequality costs Asia $47 billion annually

Gender inequality in Asia exerts a substantial economic drag, according to the International Labor Organization. Improved education, job training is needed.

What the Japan crisis means for Asian manufacturing hub

The immediate economic crunch across East Asia is expected to ease. It may then give way to a boom in exports of materials that Japan needs for reconstruction, a boost to Asian producers.

2010: The year Washington became business friendly

America has made the climate as comfortable as possible for CEOs, who have repaid the favor by creating more and more jobs – in other countries.

New TAPI gas pipeline could boost Afghanistan, regional stability

Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India are set to sign a gas pipeline deal tomorrow. But the planned route goes through two fierce Taliban areas, raising security concerns.

Obama's Asia visit: Do free trade deals really boost economies?

President Obama hopes to ink a US-South Korea free trade agreement Thursday. Trade deals among Asian countries are all the rage, but some say they may not have much impact.

G20: Why the US should worry if Asian currencies strengthen

As world leaders gather in Seoul for their first G20 meeting in Asia, some economists argue that the push for stronger Asian currencies – particularly the Chinese yuan – will spur productivity gains.

Under pressure from floods and courts, Pakistan's Zardari likely to keep his job

Ongoing confrontation between Pakistan's President Zardari and the high court has raised concerns about political instability, but some analysts say the lack of appetite for change means the government is likely to finish its term.

Pakistan floods: Cash grants for families on the way

The government plans to start handing out cash grants to victims of the Pakistan floods in the coming weeks. Donations from abroad are dwindling as a costly recovery effort begins.

Flood relief to stricken Pakistan ramps up

Flood relief to Pakistan has been increased three weeks after the crisis began. The US, Germany and Saudi Arabia all announced new pledges of aid, while Japan said it would send helicopters to help distribute food, water and medicine.

Laos turns to hydropower to be 'Asia's battery'

The Laos government is banking on hydropower - with plans to build 55 dams - to sell electricity to its Asian neighbors. But critics say hydropower comes at the cost of more displaced farmers and altered rivers.

Afghanistan's woeful water management delights neighbors

Any effort by Afghanistan to improve water management could ruffle neighbors, who benefit from the country's losing two-thirds of its water due to lack of infrastructure.

Global Debt: A country-by-country look at spending for growth vs. deficit cutting

A look at the wave of debt crises spreading around the globe.

Can Afghanistan economy thrive without poppy?

The Afghanistan economy must shift reliance off its poppy crop toward agriculture and mining. The government began a massive poppy eradication campaign this week.

Climate change: Southeast Asia's preparation falls short

The Asian Development Bank says the cost of inaction could be severe for the region's agrarian-based economies and rapidly growing coastal cities.

Swine flu rattles global economy

Compressed natural gas clears the air in Bangladesh

Cleaner-burning fuel is reducing dangerous levels of pollution – and saving money, too.

China favors jobs at home over freer trade

Beijing restores tax breaks and other perks for Chinese exporters. It's worried that declining exports mean more social unrest.

One man’s quest to improve the lot of fishermen – and fish

Conservationist Crispen Wilson is helping local Indonesians recover after the tsunami, but in a way that doesn’t deplete local fish stocks.

Financial crisis may worsen food crunch it eclipsed

Although commodity prices for a wide range of crops have fallen by as much as 50 percent from record highs in June, the financial crisis is expected to make food shortages dramatically worse.