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p. 2 of 9 BACK | NEXT Home About the Joint Study Background Objectives Scope and Process Joint Study Output Regional Workshops News Releases and Speeches Joint Study Team

About the Joint Study

Economic infrastructure is critical to the achievement of ADB's Poverty Reduction Strategy and the Millennium Development Goals within developing member countries.

Research has illustrated the positive effect of infrastructure in promoting investment, generating employment and attaining overall economic development.

Efficient and sustainable provision of economic infrastructure - such as power and piped gas, transport, information and communications technology, and water and sanitation services - benefit the poor by increasing their access to these essential utilities as well as creating more opportunities for them.

Background of the Study

After the 1997 Asian currency crisis, the levels of infrastructure investment in East and Southeast Asia have remained much lower than what is needed. This trend has not been reversed despite improvements in the regional economic outlook in recent years. Efforts to stimulate investment in economic infrastructure, however, must be moderated by lessons learned from experiences in past infrastructure projects as well as the particular needs and challenges confronting developing member countries.

In October 2003, the ADB, Japan Bank for International Cooperation and World Bank announced that they would undertake a Joint Study on Infrastructure Development in East Asia. It is the first such joint effort by the 3 major development institutions covering the entire region. The study results are expected to have significant implications for their future policies and programs in infrastructure.

For more details about this project, read the Technical Assistance Paper [ PDF: 110kb | 12 pages ].

Objectives of the Study

Formally launched on 23 January 2004 in Tokyo, the Joint Study highlights the important role infrastructure development can play in reducing poverty by supporting both economic growth and access to basic services. Specifically, the study:

• reviews recent experience with various policy frameworks to determine efficient and sustainable strategies for infrastructure development
• provides practical guidance for senior policy makers on ways to engage in infrastructure service provision and financing

Scope and Process for the Study

The Joint Study covers all developing countries in East Asia and the Pacific region. Clusters of countries facing similar issues in infrastructure development were identified by the Study Team to facilitate analysis. Sectoral coverage for the study concentrates on the following economic infrastructure for both urban and rural areas:

• power and piped gas
• transport and communications
• water and sanitation

A series of workshops and seminars is being undertaken to promote a process of dialogue and networking with decision makers, development partners, government officials, the private sector, and civil society in the region. Lessons of experience will also be drawn from within the region and elsewhere in the world.

Read the Issues Paper for the study [ PDF: 169kb | 18 pages ].