Regional : Digital Entrepreneurship in Asia for Economic Resilience and Post-Pandemic Recovery

Sovereign Project | 54301-001

The knowledge and support technical assistance (TA) will support the development of knowledge and policy insights on digital entrepreneurship in Asia and the Pacific. through a series of detailed comparative case studies of: (i) effective teaching of digital entrepreneurship skills and attitudes; ii) effective nurturing and operation of digital entrepreneurial ecosystems; and (iii) effective integration of digital entrepreneurs in industrial supply chains better understand the potential and nurturing of digital entrepreneurship in Asian economies and how their potential could be better harnessed to advance productivity in the digital economy.

Project Details

  • Project Officer
    Park, Donghyun
    Economic Research and Development Impact Department
    Request for information
  • Country/Economy
    Regional
  • Sector
    • Industry and trade
Project Name
Digital Entrepreneurship in Asia for Economic Resilience and Post-Pandemic Recovery
Project Number
54301-001
Country / Economy
  • Regional
  • Korea, Republic of
  • Malaysia
  • Myanmar
  • Philippines
  • China, People's Republic of
  • Singapore
  • Thailand
  • Viet Nam
Project Status
Active
Project Type / Modality of Assistance
  • Technical Assistance
Source of Funding / Amount
Operational Priorities
  • OP1: Addressing remaining poverty and reducing inequalities
  • OP2: Accelerating progress in gender equality
Sector / Subsector

  • Industry and trade / Small and medium enterprise development

  • Information and communication technology / ICT strategy and policy, and capacity development

Gender
Some gender elements
Description
The knowledge and support technical assistance (TA) will support the development of knowledge and policy insights on digital entrepreneurship in Asia and the Pacific. through a series of detailed comparative case studies of: (i) effective teaching of digital entrepreneurship skills and attitudes; ii) effective nurturing and operation of digital entrepreneurial ecosystems; and (iii) effective integration of digital entrepreneurs in industrial supply chains better understand the potential and nurturing of digital entrepreneurship in Asian economies and how their potential could be better harnessed to advance productivity in the digital economy.
Project Rationale and Linkage to Country/Regional Strategy

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated digitalization in almost all aspects of life, driven by a proliferation of remote working, remote learning, online shopping, movie streaming, and videoconferencing. Information and communication technology (ICT) has enabled organizations to continue operating amid global lockdowns and social distancing measures. The post-COVID-19 'new normal will continue to be highly digitalized, reinforcing the importance for developing Asia of digitally transforming their economies. Digital entrepreneurs were already a growing force in the world economy before the outbreak. Accelerated digitalization brought about by COVID-19 is bringing digital entrepreneurship further to the fore.

Nurturing digital entrepreneurship can help developing member countries (DMCs) adapt their economies to the post-COVID-19 world. Yet there have been few efforts to facilitate knowledge sharing among countries regarding what works in terms of nurturing digital entrepreneurs and digital entrepreneurial ecosystems. This scarcity of knowledge contributes to many DMCs having weak institutions and policies for digital entrepreneurship.

Although entrepreneurs have been hit hard by COVID-19, those that have effectively leveraged digital technology generally have weathered the pandemic more effectively. Digital entrepreneurs have thrived during the pandemic and they are likely to play a large role in the increasingly digitalized post-COVID-19 world. ICT can substantially reduce the cost of starting a business, opening up fresh entrepreneurial opportunities for women, youth, and the poor.

Strengthening digital entrepreneurship can thus help Asian economies recover from COVID-19 and serve as an engine of inclusive growth. Although governments and the private sector in many Asian countries have already begun to respond to digital opportunities, much remains to be done and there is sizable scope for stakeholders to improve their policy-relevant knowledge and build dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystems. This TA project will foster digital entrepreneurship by addressing these knowledge gaps.

Impact

Remaining poverty and inequalities for developing Asia's population affected by economic crisis reduced

Quality jobs generated amid improved business environment for digital entrepreneurs, companies, and MSMEs

Women's resilience to external shocks strengthened through improved access to job skills and support for women's entrepreneurship

Project Outcome

Description of Outcome

Knowledge to improve the capacity of DMCs to nurture and unlock the productivity potential of digital entrepreneurs strengthened

Progress Toward Outcome
Project studies that served as background materials for the theme chapter of the Asian Development Outlook 2022 Update (ADOU), a flagship economic publication of ADB, have been completed, and dissemination activities have been conducted.

Implementation Progress

Description of Project Outputs

Updated metrics and public data on digital entrepreneurship enhanced.

Innovative research of digital entrepreneurial ecosystems promoted.

Knowledge sharing and capacity building on digital entrepreneurship strengthened.

Status of Implementation Progress (Outputs, Activities, and Issues)

National data and entrepreneur-level data from ASEAN-6 survey and other related information on digital entrepreneurship in developing Asia were harmonized and prepared for further analysis.

The ASEAN digital entrepreneurship survey was completed on time. 15 research studies that served as background materials for the theme chapter of the ADOU 2022 on Entrepreneurship in the Digital Age were also completed. In addition, around 10 background notes under the project were prepared for ADOU.

Knowledge sharing and dissemination activities have been undertaken as part of the Asian Development Outlook 2022 Update theme chapter promotion. More research studies on digital entrepreneurship are being planned. In addition, as part of its capacity-building activities, the project will begin developing a tentatively titled Entrepreneurial Asia portal, which will contain practical lessons for entrepreneurs in the region.

Geographical Location
China - Nation-wide; Korea, Republic of - Nation-wide; Malaysia - Nation-wide; Myanmar - Nation-wide; Philippines - Nation-wide; Singapore - Nation-wide; Thailand - Nation-wide; Viet Nam - Nation-wide

Summary of Environmental and Social Aspects

Environmental Aspects
Involuntary Resettlement
Indigenous Peoples

Stakeholder Communication, Participation, and Consultation

During Project Design
During Project Implementation
Consulted with national governments on the conduct of the ASEAN digital entrepreneurship survey.

Business Opportunities

Consulting Services
A total of 42 person-months of consulting services and about 15 resource persons will be engaged. All consultants will be recruited according to ADB Procurement Policy (2017, as amended from time to time) and its associated project administration instructions and/or staff instructions.
Procurement
RFQ; Direct purchase as applicable

Contact

Responsible ADB Officer
Park, Donghyun
Responsible ADB Department
Economic Research and Development Impact Department
Responsible ADB Division
Office of the Chief Economist and Director General, ERDI (EROD)
Executing Agencies
Asian Development Bank

Timetable

Concept Clearance
25 Sep 2020
Fact Finding
-
MRM
-
Approval
12 Jan 2021
Last Review Mission
-
Last PDS Update
02 Feb 2023

Funding

Project Data Sheets (PDS) contain summary information on the project or program. Because the PDS is a work in progress, some information may not be included in its initial version but will be added as it becomes available. Information about proposed projects is tentative and indicative.

The Access to Information Policy (AIP) recognizes that transparency and accountability are essential to development effectiveness. It establishes the disclosure requirements for documents and information ADB produces or requires to be produced.

The Accountability Mechanism provides a forum where people adversely affected by ADB-assisted projects can voice and seek solutions to their problems and report alleged noncompliance of ADB's operational policies and procedures.

In preparing any country program or strategy, financing any project, or by making any designation of, or reference to, a particular territory or geographic area in this document, the Asian Development Bank does not intend to make any judgments as to the legal or other status of any territory or area.

Safeguard Documents See also: Safeguards
Safeguard documents provided at the time of project/facility approval may also be found in the list of linked documents provided with the Report and Recommendation of the President.

None currently available.

Evaluation Documents See also: Independent Evaluation

None currently available.

Related Publications

None currently available.

The Access to Information Policy (AIP) establishes the disclosure requirements for documents and information ADB produces or requires to be produced in its operations to facilitate stakeholder participation in ADB's decision-making. For more information, refer to the Safeguard Policy Statement, Operations Manual F1, and Operations Manual L3.

Requests for information may also be directed to the InfoUnit.

Tenders

Tender Title Type Status Posting Date Deadline
Research Associate: Economics and Statistics Individual - Consulting Closed
Website Developer and Administrator Individual - Consulting Closed

Contracts Awarded

No contracts awarded for this project were found

Procurement Plan

None currently available.