originality

From: World Bank East Asia Pacific <eapnews@worldbank.org>
Date: 2009/9/22
Subject: East Asia and Pacific Newsletter
To:

September 22, 2009

FEATURE

East Asia & Pacific Countries Vulnerable To Climate Change, But 'Climate-Smart' World Is Still In Reach
The latest World Development Report finds that although many countries in the East Asia and Pacific region are vulnerable to climate change, developing countries can shift to lower-carbon paths while promoting development and reducing poverty if they receive financial and technical assistance from high-income countries.

	Read the press release
	Read the feature story
	Read the report and get downloads

Doing Business 2010: Indonesia Is the Most Active Business Regulatory Reformer in East Asia and the Pacific
In a record year for regulatory reform worldwide, Indonesia is the most active business regulatory reformer in the region.

	Read the press release
	Read the fact sheet
	Doing Business website

AROUND THE REGION

INDONESIA: Skies are Clearing for Indonesia, as Global Crisis Winds Down
Domestic consumption propelled Indonesia into recovery by mid-2009, says latest World Bank analysis. Economic growth is forecast to be 4.3 percent this year. Read more

INDONESIA: Initiatives for Local Governance Reform (2005-2011)
Project profile of the Initiatives for Local Governance Reform (ILGRP) Project or Program Prakarsa Pembaruan Tata Pemerintahan Daerah (P2TPD) which pilots support to district (kabupaten) governments to improve transparency, accountability and public participatory practices. Read more

INDONESIA: September 2009 Newsletters
Doing Business 2010: Indonesia - The Most Active Reformer | Indonesia Economic Update: Skies are Clearing for Indonesia

LAO DPR: Connecting Remote Communities to Basic Services
Project profile on the Provincial Infrastructure Project which supported rural development interventions tailored to the needs and circumstances of two of Lao PDR's poorest and remotest provinces. Read more

LAO PDR: July/August 2009 Newsletters
In English (188kb pdf) | In Lao (475kb pdf)

LAO PDR: Additional Financing Bridges Government Budget Gap
The Government of Laos and the World Bank signed a US$20 million credit from the World Bank's International Development Association (IDA) for the Fifth Poverty Reduction Support Operation (PRSO5). Read more

LAO PDR: InfoSpace to Improve Information and Knowledge Sharing
The National University of Laos (NUOL) and the World Bank (WB) launched the first InfoSpace at the Central Library of the National University of Laos which will provide students and general public access to a pool of development-related information and knowledge. Read more

PACIFIC ISLANDS: Next Praxis Discussion Series topic: Climate Change
Praxis, a monthly televised series where key development themes and issues are discussed by a panel of experts, will be discussing Climate Change on October 26, 2009. Click to here register on the audience list (include your name, organisation, contact number and email address) |
More information on Praxis

PHILIPPINES: World Bank Approves $6-M grant for Mindanao project
The grant will help efforts to conserve critical coastal and marine biodiversity in targeted sites in Mindanao, complemented by sustainable land management in linked upland areas. Read more

PHILIPPINES: September 2009 Newsletters
Natural Resource Management | Doing Business 2010

PHILIPPINES: Doing Business 2010: In record year for easing business rules, the Philippines Enhances Access to Credit, Cuts Taxes
The Philippines strengthened business regulations by enhancing access to credit and cutting corporate income taxes in 2008/2009, joining most economies in East Asia and the Pacific in helping to increase opportunities for local firms. Read more

THAILAND: Financial Crisis and Social Protection in Thailand
Annette Dixon, Thailand Country Director, gave the opening remarks at the Workshop on the Financial Crisis and Social Protection in Thailand. Read more

THAILAND: Addressing Regional Disparity in Thailand
Mathew A. Verghis, Lead Economist for Southeast Asia, gave the opening remarks at the seminar on Addressing Regional Disparity: Thailand Experience and International Lessons. Read more

THAILAND: September 8, 2009 Newsletter
Thailand E-newsletter

TIMOR-LESTE: World Bank approves new strategy to support Timor-Leste
As Timor-Leste celebrates 10 years of independence, the World Bank's Board has approved a new strategy of support to the country that focuses on sustaining economic growth and building employment opportunities, especially for youth. Read more

VIETNAM: State Bank of Vietnam and World Bank sign US$160 million in Credit to Increase Financing for Critical Infrastructure
The US$160 million additional financing for the Urban Upgrading Project will cover a financing gap for the projects in Can Tho, Hai Phong, Nam Dinh and Ho Chi Minh City resulting from high levels of inflation in 2007-08. Read more

VIETNAM: Doing Business 2010: In Record Year for Regulatory Reform, Vietnam Cuts Taxes and Facilitates International Trade
Vietnam cut business taxes in 2008/2009, joining many other economies in East Asia and the Pacific in strengthening business regulations to help increase opportunities for local firms. Read more

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The blog East Asia & Pacific on the rise wants to create conversations around important development challenges facing the region, share what we at the World Bank are doing and highlight some interesting initiatives. It is maintained by various staff working on development issues in the region.

Current conversations:

Immortalized by a bug: Minimizing the environmental impacts of development (Chris Bennett)

Indonesia: Gibbons sing their "great call" in rainforest of Sumatra (Tony Whitten)

'Facebook for farmers' brings microloans to people in rural China (James Davison)

Indonesia: Here be (Komodo) dragons (Tony Whitten)

Timor-Leste: Reflections on the 10th anniversary of independence (Gabriela Leite Soares)

Doing Business 2010: Indonesia, China and the Philippines among countries noted for at least one reform (James Davison)

More than a dam: In Laos, history still makes itself present after 41 years (Victoria Minoian)