Finance Sector in Asia
Amid rising global economic uncertainty, expanding and deepening finance sectors in developing Asia have played a strong role in helping the region face difficult challenges in economic diversification and have increased economic stability.
Finance sector has cross-cutting impact on all sectors, industries, and economic activities
ADB believes that a sound finance sector promotes private sector development, helps create jobs and economic growth, and therefore reduces poverty.
The finance sector has cross-cutting impact on all sectors, industries, and economic activities. It also contributes to global development agendas, including the Sustainable Development Goals of 2030.
Financial support has had positive impact on countries’ economic growth and development and helped reduce poverty, including during the global financial crisis of 2008–2009.
ADB’s finance sector operations have helped broaden and deepen national financial systems throughout the region, including, among others, through projects in Bangladesh, India, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), Pakistan, the Philippines, and Uzbekistan.
For meaningful and sustainable impact, ADB uses innovative approaches through new technologies to solve wider economic challenges, as exemplified in the following:
Catalyzing Market Financing for Climate Change Mitigation
India: Solar Rooftop Investment Program: $330 million ordinary capital resources (OCR) multitranche financing facility loan (approved 2016).
- Funds innovative and bankable business models that catalyze market financing.
- Supports renewable energy development and climate change mitigation.
- Funds India meet a 40-gigawatt solar rooftop capacity target by 2022.
Expanding the Base of Growth by Technology Solutions
Uzbekistan: Small Business Finance Project: $100 million OCR loan to expand lending to small businesses (approved 2016).
- Improves financial inclusion for female-owned and rural businesses.
- Introduced credit scoring and loan origination facilitated by mobile devices, such as tablet computers.
Supporting Disaster Relief by New Business Line
Pakistan: National Disaster Risk Management Fund: $200 million Asian Development Fund (ADF) and OCR loans to establish and operationalize the National Disaster Risk Management Fund (approved 2016).
- Facilitates a disaster-resilient Pakistan by reducing socioeconomic and fiscal vulnerability to natural hazards and climate variability and change.
- Carried out quantitative risk modeling analysis for the primary natural hazards and developed a comprehensive national disaster risk financing strategy.
Supporting a Deeper, Diversified, and Resilient Finance Sector
Philippines: Financial Market Regulation and Intermediation Program: $200 million OCR loan to enhance financial sector stability, strengthen nonbank financial subsector governance, and improve the efficiency of the securities market (completed in 2013).
- Assisted the government in achieving reform agendas under the national development plan, particularly for financial sector deepening to support economic growth.
- Improved access to finance and increased the contribution of the finance sector to economic growth after the global financial crisis (Business Constraint Index “access to credit” improved from 31.8 to 17.7 and financial stability index improved from 3.3 to 4.1).
Facilitating Private Sector Development through Nonsovereign Loan
Bangladesh: BRAC Bank Sustainable Projects: Up to $30 million senior loan to BRAC Bank in Bangladesh (approved 2015).
- Improved safety standards of the ready-made garment industry by financing the upgrade, expansion, or construction of factories that satisfy the safety requirement of the Accord and/or the Alliance.
- Improved working conditions for 22,000 women ready-made garment workers.
- Improved environmental standards in the industry sector by financing the construction or expansion of wastewater treatment plants.
Promoting a Sustainable and Market-Oriented Rural Finance Sector
Lao PDR: Rural Finance Sector Development Program
$10 million ADF loan to promote a sustainable and market-oriented rural and microfinance sector (completed in 2013).
- Supported an enabling policy framework for rural and microfinance and sound prudential regulatory environment for rural and microfinance institutions, and transformed the Agriculture Promotion Bank into a financially sustainable and market-oriented institution.
- Expanded the microfinance sector in both credit and savings, with a 451% increase in the number of clients during 2006–2011.
- Facilitated marked improvement in the Agriculture Promotion Bank’s operational efficiency (operating expenses to gross loans decreased from 12% in 2007 to 4% in 2012).
- Contributed to gender equity by providing loans to women, who comprised 59% of total active borrowers.
Finance Sector Issues in Asia and the Pacific
Asia has emerged as a dynamic center of global growth with high savings and strong exports. It attracts a high volume of private capital and investment, and has massive potential for domestic markets. Since the Asian financial crisis in 1997-1998, the financial sector of the region has developed significantly. Banks in particular have strengthened their balance sheets, making them more resilient to external shocks. The region’s middle-income economies have also made progress in developing the core of their domestic capital markets and nonbanking sectors.
Despite these achievements, the development of the region’s financial sector still lags substantially behind that of developed economies. Manufacturing also plays a much more dominant role in Asian economies than the financial sector. This section highlights finance sector challenges and trends faced by countries in Asia and the Pacific.
Banking and Non-bank Financial Institutions

The enhancement of risk management and corporate governance of individual financial institutions is vital for economic stability. This topic covers issues related to central bank supervision, trade financing, anti-money laundering, and Islamic financing.
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ASEAN+3 Multi-Currency Bond Issuance Framework: Implementation Guidelines for Cambodia
These guidelines explain how the ASEAN+3 Multi-Currency Bond Issuance Framework (AMBIF) relates to the professional Cambodian bond market. -
Asia Bond Monitor – November 2020
This edition highlights trends in emerging East Asian local currency bond markets and explores bank efficiency and financing for a sustainable recovery. -
The Future of Inclusive Finance: 3rd Asia Finance Forum Conference Proceedings
This publication details the discussions during the Third Asia Finance Forum that underscored how new technologies are helping to bring financial services to unbanked communities. -
Asia Bond Monitor – September 2020
The size of emerging East Asia’s local currency bond market reached USD17.2 trillion at the end of June 2020. In the second quarter of 2020 the market expanded by 5.0% quarter on-quarter and 15.5% year-on-year. -
The Bond Market in Hong Kong, China: An ASEAN+3 Bond Market Guide Update
This publication provides updates on recent developments in the bond market in Hong Kong, China and highlights developments connected to the bond market of the People’s Republic of China. -
The Inter-Bank Bond Market in the People’s Republic of China: An ASEAN+3 Bond Market Guide
This edition focuses on the China Inter-Bank Bond Market (CIBM), which is the largest bond market segment in the People's Republic of China. -
Next Steps for ASEAN+3 Central Securities Depository and Real-Time Gross Settlement Linkages: A Progress Report of the Cross-Border Settlement Infrastructure Forum
This report provides an update on progress toward the establishment of a regional settlement intermediary to support investment and more integrated bond markets among ASEAN+3 economies. -
COVID-19 Exposes Asian Banks’ Vulnerability to US Dollar Funding
This brief examines the US dollar funding exposure of Asian banks and suggests how policy makers in the region could support financial stability. -
Asia Bond Monitor – June 2020
This edition of the Asia Bond Monitor reviews developments in emerging East Asian local currency bond markets and discusses how the financial sector can help fund the fight against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). -
Three Decades of International Financial Crises: What Have We Learned and What Still Needs to be Done?
This paper highlights lessons from the Asian Financial Crisis, the Global Financial Crisis, and the Eurozone Debt Crisis to identify what more can be done to strengthen financial systems.
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Finance Sector Development

As the financial sector expands and takes on new risks, it is essential to ensure the sector’s continued stability and integrity. This involves helping countries enhance their abilities to manage and develop the financial sector, as well as instituting policy and regulatory reforms.
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Policies to Optimize the Performance of Credit Guarantee Schemes During Financial Crises
This policy brief outlines best practices for credit guarantee schemes (CGSs) especially in times of financial crises. It also presents safeguards to mitigate CGS risks associated with moral hazards and adverse selection issues. -
Kazakhstan Development Finance Assessment
This publication provides an analysis of trends in public and private finance in Kazakhstan and discusses a financing mechanism to maximize development finance and resource allocation in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. -
Asia Bond Monitor – November 2020
This edition highlights trends in emerging East Asian local currency bond markets and explores bank efficiency and financing for a sustainable recovery. -
Financial Integration and Macrofinancial Linkages in Asia: Crises, Responses, and Policy Considerations
This report reviews evidence of the macrofinancial linkages and feedback effects of financial distress in Asia. It proposes policy considerations and coordinated responses to enhance financial stability and resilience. -
Asia Bond Monitor – September 2020
The size of emerging East Asia’s local currency bond market reached USD17.2 trillion at the end of June 2020. In the second quarter of 2020 the market expanded by 5.0% quarter on-quarter and 15.5% year-on-year. -
Next Steps for ASEAN+3 Central Securities Depository and Real-Time Gross Settlement Linkages: A Progress Report of the Cross-Border Settlement Infrastructure Forum
This report provides an update on progress toward the establishment of a regional settlement intermediary to support investment and more integrated bond markets among ASEAN+3 economies. -
Asia Bond Monitor – June 2020
This edition of the Asia Bond Monitor reviews developments in emerging East Asian local currency bond markets and discusses how the financial sector can help fund the fight against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). -
Three Decades of International Financial Crises: What Have We Learned and What Still Needs to be Done?
This paper highlights lessons from the Asian Financial Crisis, the Global Financial Crisis, and the Eurozone Debt Crisis to identify what more can be done to strengthen financial systems. -
ASEAN+3 Multi-Currency Bond Issuance Framework: Implementation Guidelines for the Philippines
These guidelines explain the ASEAN+3 Multi-Currency Bond Issuance Framework (AMBIF) and relate AMBIF Elements to the corresponding features of the professional Philippines bond market. -
Effective Practices in Trade Finance Examinations
This brief provides a guideline for an effective examination process of trade finance businesses to address issues associated with anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-financing of terrorism (CFT).
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Financial Inclusion and Microfinance

About 90% of the 180 million poor households in the region lack access to institutional financial services. Most formal financial institutions deny the poor their services because of perceived high risks, the high costs involved in small transactions, and the poor’s inability to provide marketable collateral for loans.
Microfinance
Increasing financial access for traditionally underserved population, including women, poor households, vulnerable groups, and micro, small, and medium enterprises is critical to achieving inclusive and balanced economic growth.
ADB has been actively promoting innovation and best practices in this area. The operational priorities of Strategy 2030 recognize that developing the finance sector, with a focus on inclusive finance, is key to enhancing productive opportunities. Financing remains limited, especially for women and women-led or women owned MSMEs, smallholder farmers, and agribusiness SMEs. Accelerating the use of digital finance technologies can help to address this problem. Further, the Financial Sector Operational Plan details the work ADB will do in the sector, recognizing that financial services should go beyond micro loans to include savings, payments and remittances, insurance, and pensions.
ADB’s support for inclusive finance is provided through loans, credit lines, investments, grants, guarantees, and technical assistance in the following areas (as defined in the 2014 Project Classification System):
- microfinance
- credit cooperatives and credit unions
- agriculture finance and rural microenterprise
- branchless/mobile banking
- financial literacy and consumer protection
- remittance management
- savings mobilization
- rural banks
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Microfinance Development Strategy
ADB’s Microfinance Development Strategy ensures access to institutional financial services for a majority of poor and low-income households and their microenterprises. It aims to support the development of sustainable microfinance systems that can provide diverse, high-quality services.
To achieve its objective for microfinance, ADB focuses on:
- creating a microfinance-friendly policy environment
- developing financial infrastructure
- building viable retail institutions
- supporting pro-poor innovations
- supporting social intermediation
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Kazakhstan Development Finance Assessment
This publication provides an analysis of trends in public and private finance in Kazakhstan and discusses a financing mechanism to maximize development finance and resource allocation in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. -
Future of Regional Cooperation in Asia and the Pacific
This book reviews progress with regional cooperation and integration in Asia and the Pacific and explores how it can be reshaped to achieve a more resilient, sustainable, and inclusive future. -
The Role of Innovative Financial Inclusion in Post Pandemic Economic Recovery - Ahmed Saeed
Closing remarks by Ahmed M. Saeed, ADB Vice-President, Operations 2, at Pekan Fintech Nasional 2020 (Indonesia National Fintech Weeks) on 25 November 2020 -
Asia Bond Monitor – November 2020
This edition highlights trends in emerging East Asian local currency bond markets and explores bank efficiency and financing for a sustainable recovery. -
Asia Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise Monitor 2020 – Volume III: Thematic Chapter – Fintech Loans to Tricycle Drivers in the Philippines
This study of financial technology (fintech) loans to tricycle drivers in the Philippines looks at how fintech affects the welfare of the self-employed and contributes to the development of the country’s local economies. -
Asia Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise Monitor 2020 – Volume I: Country and Regional Reviews
This volume reviews micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Southeast Asia. It provides data and analysis as a resource for evidence-based policy design on MSME development. -
The Future of Inclusive Finance: 3rd Asia Finance Forum Conference Proceedings
This publication details the discussions during the Third Asia Finance Forum that underscored how new technologies are helping to bring financial services to unbanked communities. -
Financial Integration and Macrofinancial Linkages in Asia: Crises, Responses, and Policy Considerations
This report reviews evidence of the macrofinancial linkages and feedback effects of financial distress in Asia. It proposes policy considerations and coordinated responses to enhance financial stability and resilience. -
Asia Bond Monitor – September 2020
The size of emerging East Asia’s local currency bond market reached USD17.2 trillion at the end of June 2020. In the second quarter of 2020 the market expanded by 5.0% quarter on-quarter and 15.5% year-on-year. -
How microfinance is helping poor households and businesses survive and thrive: 6 things to know
Rural women, low-income households, and small businesses they manage are all too often starved of finance in Asia and the Pacific. Here are six ways ADB is using microfinance to help poor households and businesses survive and thrive
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Infrastructure and Housing Financing

The region needs to invest aggressively in infrastructure to continue to provide a favorable business environment and improve people’s living standards. Because government resources are far from sufficient, infrastructure needs to access commercial finances, thus calling for public–private partnerships (PPPs).
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A System-Wide Approach for Infrastructure Resilience: Technical Note
This technical note is a call for action to improve how climate-related financial risks are considered in infrastructure planning and investments. -
Infrastructure Financing in Asia
This book highlights how private financing can help address Asia’s huge infrastructure investment needs. It discusses innovation and the role of bond markets and green bonds. -
Financing Affordable Housing in Yangon
This publication provides analysis and recommendations to support the Yangon Region Government to implement its affordable housing agenda and related policies. -
Risk Mitigation and Sovereign Guarantees for Public–Private Partnerships in Developing Economies
This paper shows how multilateral development bank-issued guarantees benefit public–private partnership investments by reducing sovereign risks. -
How to finance Asia’s infrastructure gap - Bambang Susantono
Asia’s countries famously need to invest trillions of dollars a year to provide infrastructure required to keep traffic flowing, ports trading, and factories humming. Yet most countries in the region consistently fall short. -
Infrastructure Financing in South Asia
Despite a severe shortage of infrastructure, South Asia is the fastest growing region in the world. This working paper argues that this trend cannot continue. -
An Empirical Analysis of the Factors that Influence Infrastructure Project Financing by Banks in Select Asian Economies
This paper analyzes a critical aspect of expanding private finance to infrastructure by examining the role of bank lending to public–private partnership (PPP) projects through the project finance modality. -
Promoting Green Local Currency Bonds for Infrastructure Development in ASEAN+3
ASEAN+3 policy makers are exploring options to promote green local currency-denominated bonds to meet the region’s infrastructure development needs. -
Financing Infrastructure in Asia and the Pacific: Capturing Impacts and New Sources
This book presents several country studies and explains how infrastructure investment can increase output, taxes, trade, and firm productivity. -
ADB Lending to the Philippines to Focus on Infrastructure in 2018-2020
Transport, water, and flood management projects to account for bulk of expected $3.6 billion of support.
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Islamic Finance

ADB has 14 member countries that have a majority Muslim population and has 5 of the 10 countries with the biggest Muslim population globally. Asia requires infrastructure investments of an estimate of $747 billion a year to sustain its growth trajectory. Given the demographic composition of its member countries and realizing the region’s vast investment needs, ADB recognizes the potential role of Islamic finance in promoting inclusive growth and achieving sustainable development in the region, through funding infrastructure and green and ethical investments.
Insurance and Contractual Savings

Financial markets in most of the developing member countries are at various stages of development. They are dominated by banks, reflecting a lack of capacity in the nonbanking sectors and capital markets. A non-diversified finance sector represents a risk in terms of the inability to deal with financial shocks and periods of uncertainty. Insurance can help protect the poor against livelihood risks and catastrophic loss, preventing them from falling back into cyclical poverty. It can also help mobilize long-term domestic resources to finance investments.
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Policies to Optimize the Performance of Credit Guarantee Schemes During Financial Crises
This policy brief outlines best practices for credit guarantee schemes (CGSs) especially in times of financial crises. It also presents safeguards to mitigate CGS risks associated with moral hazards and adverse selection issues. -
Projecting the Need for and Cost of Long-Term Care for Older Persons
This paper aims to enhance the understanding, particularly of policy makers and those planning modeling studies, of using statistical models to project the need, demand, and cost of long-term care (LTC) services. -
Bond Market Guide for Mongolia
This guide provides comprehensive information about the local currency bond market of Mongolia, which has been an active participant to the ASEAN+3 Bond Market Forum since 2019. -
Kazakhstan Development Finance Assessment
This publication provides an analysis of trends in public and private finance in Kazakhstan and discusses a financing mechanism to maximize development finance and resource allocation in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. -
Gender Differences in Access to Health Care Among the Elderly: Evidence from Southeast Asia
This paper examines gender among other factors that may constrain older persons in Southeast Asia from meeting their health-care needs based on data from Cambodia, the Philippines, and Viet Nam. -
ADBI E-Learning Course on Governing Sustainable Finance
Governing Sustainable Finance examines the rise of sustainable finance and its potential to deliver robust investment returns and greener, lower carbon post COVID-19 economies in Asia and the Pacific. -
Primer on Social Bonds and Recent Developments in Asia
This publication explains how social bond market development in Asia can support an inclusive and sustainable recovery from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). -
The Role of Technology in Business-to-Consumer E-Commerce: Evidence from Asia
This paper uses proprietary panel data to investigate the possible drivers of business-to-consumer (B2C) online commerce growth, such as internet access and speed, online security, and financial inclusiveness. -
Learning by Recovering - Emmanuel Jimenez and Yasuyuki Sawada
As the Philippines embarks on an ambitious plan to recover from the (COVID-19) pandemic... -
On Well-Being of Households in Japan and Post-Disaster Reinstatement
Housing, leisure, job, income, and health are dominant contributors to a household's well-being.
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Money and Capital Markets

It is necessary to develop Asian capital markets, including subnational debt markets, and an institutional investor base that generates long-term finances and risk capital. At the same time, low-income and conflict-affected economies need to strengthen public confidence in their financial systems in pursuing the development of financial markets.
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Bond Market Guide for Mongolia
This guide provides comprehensive information about the local currency bond market of Mongolia, which has been an active participant to the ASEAN+3 Bond Market Forum since 2019. -
Kazakhstan Development Finance Assessment
This publication provides an analysis of trends in public and private finance in Kazakhstan and discusses a financing mechanism to maximize development finance and resource allocation in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. -
Primer on Social Bonds and Recent Developments in Asia
This publication explains how social bond market development in Asia can support an inclusive and sustainable recovery from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). -
ASEAN+3 Multi-Currency Bond Issuance Framework: Implementation Guidelines for Cambodia
These guidelines explain how the ASEAN+3 Multi-Currency Bond Issuance Framework (AMBIF) relates to the professional Cambodian bond market. -
Future of Regional Cooperation in Asia and the Pacific
This book reviews progress with regional cooperation and integration in Asia and the Pacific and explores how it can be reshaped to achieve a more resilient, sustainable, and inclusive future. -
Asia Bond Monitor – November 2020
This edition highlights trends in emerging East Asian local currency bond markets and explores bank efficiency and financing for a sustainable recovery. -
Asia Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise Monitor 2020 – Volume I: Country and Regional Reviews
This volume reviews micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Southeast Asia. It provides data and analysis as a resource for evidence-based policy design on MSME development. -
The Future of Inclusive Finance: 3rd Asia Finance Forum Conference Proceedings
This publication details the discussions during the Third Asia Finance Forum that underscored how new technologies are helping to bring financial services to unbanked communities. -
Financial Integration and Macrofinancial Linkages in Asia: Crises, Responses, and Policy Considerations
This report reviews evidence of the macrofinancial linkages and feedback effects of financial distress in Asia. It proposes policy considerations and coordinated responses to enhance financial stability and resilience. -
Debt Buildup and Currency Vulnerability: Evidence from Global Markets
This paper examines how debt buildup is related to currency depreciation pressure. It highlights the importance of a debt surveillance framework that monitors both public and private debt buildup, especially in emerging markets.
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Regional Economic and Financial Integration

The Asia and the Pacific region includes large net savings countries as well as large net borrowers. The region as a whole is also simultaneously a large exporter and importer of capital. The financial sector and markets in the region need to be integrated to allow the channeling of savings from net saving developing countries to net borrowing ones.
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Bond Market Guide for Mongolia
This guide provides comprehensive information about the local currency bond market of Mongolia, which has been an active participant to the ASEAN+3 Bond Market Forum since 2019. -
ASEAN+3 Multi-Currency Bond Issuance Framework: Implementation Guidelines for Cambodia
These guidelines explain how the ASEAN+3 Multi-Currency Bond Issuance Framework (AMBIF) relates to the professional Cambodian bond market. -
Future of Regional Cooperation in Asia and the Pacific
This book reviews progress with regional cooperation and integration in Asia and the Pacific and explores how it can be reshaped to achieve a more resilient, sustainable, and inclusive future. -
New Approaches to Measuring and Assessing Regional Cooperation and Integration: Workshop Highlights
This publication presents highlights of the sessions during ADBs workshop on regional cooperation and integration (RCI) on 16 and 17 April 2020. Discussions focused on relevant approaches to measuring RCI and its implications for policy assessment. Regional cooperation and integration (RCI) is pivotal to enhancing economic growth, financial stability, and social inclusion and important for tackling poverty and enhancing institutional stability. Better RCI measures can allow researchers and policy makers to assess the costs and benefits of RCI policies in greater detail. -
What Drives International Stock Return Comovements?
Financial integration has developed relatively slowly in emerging markets due to the hampering effects of their poor information environments. -
Asia Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise Monitor 2020 – Volume I: Country and Regional Reviews
This volume reviews micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Southeast Asia. It provides data and analysis as a resource for evidence-based policy design on MSME development. -
The Bond Market in Hong Kong, China: An ASEAN+3 Bond Market Guide Update
This publication provides updates on recent developments in the bond market in Hong Kong, China and highlights developments connected to the bond market of the People’s Republic of China. -
Reevaluating the Economic Benefits of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR)–People’s Republic of China High-Speed Rail and Its Implications for Fiscal Stability of the Lao PDR
Emerging economies are taking on extremely large amounts of dollar-denominated debt as part of the "Belt and Road Initiative." -
The Inter-Bank Bond Market in the People’s Republic of China: An ASEAN+3 Bond Market Guide
This edition focuses on the China Inter-Bank Bond Market (CIBM), which is the largest bond market segment in the People's Republic of China. -
The Evolution of the European Stability Mechanism: Lessons for Asian Integration
The European Stability Mechanism (ESM) is a permanent institution with the purpose of providing financial stability to the 19 countries in the eurozone. It was founded in 2012 at the height of the sovereign debt crisis in Europe. Originally, the European Union and the eurozone intended to operate without a regional financial stability mechanism. However, the severity of the crisis forced the abolishment of the principal of complete fiscal self-reliance for each member country.
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Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise Financing

The expansion of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is crucial for inclusive growth and poverty reduction. SMEs’ access to finance can be improved not only through credit institutions, but also leasing, credit guarantees, factoring, insurance companies, and capital markets.
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Policies to Optimize the Performance of Credit Guarantee Schemes During Financial Crises
This policy brief outlines best practices for credit guarantee schemes (CGSs) especially in times of financial crises. It also presents safeguards to mitigate CGS risks associated with moral hazards and adverse selection issues. -
Primer on Social Bonds and Recent Developments in Asia
This publication explains how social bond market development in Asia can support an inclusive and sustainable recovery from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). -
Sustainable Recovery Options for Mongolia’s Micro, Small, and Medium-Sized Enterprises
This brief presents the findings from a rapid assessment of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) impacts on Mongolian micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises and informal businesses conducted by the Asian Development Bank. -
Asia Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise Monitor 2020 – Volume IV: Technical Note – Designing a Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise Development Index
This report shares ADB's work on designing an empirically rigorous Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise Development Index to measure finance and nonfinance dimensions of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprise (MSME) development. -
Asia Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise Monitor 2020 – Volume III: Thematic Chapter – Fintech Loans to Tricycle Drivers in the Philippines
This study of financial technology (fintech) loans to tricycle drivers in the Philippines looks at how fintech affects the welfare of the self-employed and contributes to the development of the country’s local economies. -
The Case for Regional Cooperation in Trade and Investment Finance for Asia
This brief examines the role of export credit agencies (ECAs) in supporting trade and investment, and highlights how greater regional cooperation in Asia could enhance it. -
Empowering Women Entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka – Ruchirani Munasinghe's story
ADB's Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative (We-Fi) has been instrumental in providing know-how and much-needed capital to encourage women-led small and medium entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka to thrive. -
Empowering Women Entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka – Pradeepa Nilanthi's story
ADB’s Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative (We-Fi) has been instrumental in providing much needed capital to start and expand women-led small and medium entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka. -
Empowering Women Entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka - Nelum Devi’s story
ADB's Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative (We-Fi) has been instrumental in empowering and creating opportunities for women-led small and medium entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka. Nelum's story is one of the testaments to this. -
Innovative Financial Products and Services for Women in Asia and the Pacific
This paper examines digital financial services and products—powered by financial technology—as well as low technology solutions that can boost digital financial inclusion for women in remote and rural areas.
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Trade Finance

ADB's Trade and Supply Chain Finance Program provides guarantees and loans to partner banks in support of international trade.
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New ADB tool offers roadmap to unblock supplies of life-saving products
New ADB online tool maps supply chains for PPE, medical equipment, treatments, tests and vaccines that are crucial to the fight against COVID-19. -
Trade in the shadow of COVID-19: Going forward together, not apart
ADB’s Trade and Supply Chain Finance Program's supply-chain mapping tool aims to identify blockages and other impediments to critical goods being produced and distributed for COVID-19 response. -
Global Shortage of PPE amid COVID-19 - Bambang Susantono
Opening remarks by Bambang Susantono, ADB Vice-President for Knowledge Management and Sustainable Development, at the Asian Impact Webinar Series #1: Global Shortage of PPE amid COVID-19, 4 June 2020 -
The Case for Regional Cooperation in Trade and Investment Finance for Asia
This brief examines the role of export credit agencies (ECAs) in supporting trade and investment, and highlights how greater regional cooperation in Asia could enhance it. -
Global Shortage of Personal Protective Equipment amid COVID-19: Supply Chains, Bottlenecks, and Policy Implications
This brief examines the global shortage of the personal protective equipment (PPE) needed to tackle COVID-19 and suggests policy implications. -
Trade Finance Program: Building Partnerships for Trade
The Trade Finance Program (TFP) of the Asian Development Bank fills market gaps for trade finance by providing guarantees and loans to banks. This fact sheet presents the highlights of the program for 2019. -
Effective Practices in Trade Finance Examinations
This brief provides a guideline for an effective examination process of trade finance businesses to address issues associated with anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-financing of terrorism (CFT). -
Trade and the Legal Entity Identifier
This brief discusses the features of the Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) as a unique and secure system to facilitate business transactions, risk evaluation, and money lending. -
Asia-Pacific Trade Facilitation Report 2019: Bridging Trade Finance Gaps through Technology
The report reviews trade facilitation progress in Asia and the Pacific and explores how technology can help bridge trade finance gaps. -
Trade Finance Program Brochure
ADB's Trade Finance Program has established itself as a key player in the international trade community, providing fast and reliable trade finance support to fill market gaps for trade finance.
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