Getting Finance in South Asia 2010

Getting Finance in South Asia 2010 PDF Author: Kiatchai Sophastienphong
Publisher: World Bank Publications
ISBN: 0821380575
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 352

Book Description
Utilizing standardized indicators from 2001 to 2008, 'Getting Finance in South Asia 2010' analyzes the financial performance and soundness of commercial banks in eight South Asian countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. While the indicators cannot predict the onset of a financial crisis, their analysis has identified specific weaknesses in regional financial sectors that should be addressed by the supervisory authorities. In this current edition of the annual 'Getting Finance' publication, two new development dimensions -- payment systems developments and savings mobilization -- have been added to the six dimensions covered in the previous edition: access to finance, performance and efficiency, financial stability, market concentration and competitiveness, capital market development, and corporate governance. This edition also expands the country coverage to include Afghanistan, Bhutan and Maldives. New benchmark countries have also been added, including emerging countries from outside OECD. In addition to analyzing the 'Getting Finance' indicators, the book also discusses the challenges facing South Asian banks and the impact of the global financial crisis on their operations. The new material in this edition enables readers to have a more holistic perspective of the indicators in South Asia and a better understanding of the financial systems in the region. 'Getting Finance Indicators 2010' reaffirms the World Bank’s commitment to working with developing member countries to promote financial sector development and create financial systems that are sound, stable, supportive of growth and responsive to people’s needs.

Financial Market Regulations and Legal Challenges in South Asia

Financial Market Regulations and Legal Challenges in South Asia PDF Author: Kashyap, Amit K.
Publisher: IGI Global
ISBN: 1522500057
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 369

Book Description
South Asia has experienced a long period of robust economic growth. While many regulatory policies have helped usher in this prosperous growth, some markets have plateaued due to hardships such as the decline in foreign remittance and international credit lines, and a contraction of exports. To continue to grow, the nations in this region must begin to integrate into the globalized world economy. Financial Market Regulations and Legal Challenges in South Asia addresses the difficulties and challenges of the regulatory environment in South Asia. This research-based publication outlines the apparent issues and resolutions as these developing nations transition into global economic players. This book is an excellent resource for policy makers, researchers and students in the financial field, government officials, bankers, and financial market regulators.

Getting Finance in South Asia 2009

Getting Finance in South Asia 2009 PDF Author: Kiatchai Sophastienphong
Publisher: World Bank Publications
ISBN: 0821375725
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 179

Book Description
This title is part of an initiative by the World Bank to develop standard indicators to measure the performance and soundness of the financial sector in the South Asia region and help pinpoint where performance is strong and where improvements are most needed. Phases I, II, and III, completed with active support and assistance from regulatory authorities in South Asia, compiled a standard set of finance indicators for five countries: Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. This first formally published volume encompasses Phase IV of the study, which updates all indicators under the four categories of access to finance, performance and efficiency, stability, and corporate governance, and adds two new categories: capital market developments, and market concentration and competitiveness. The addition of these measures provides a new and more holistic perspective on getting finance in South Asia, and also helps improve our understanding of the financial systems in South Asian countries. Countries in South Asia have undertaken reforms to reduce government ownership of financial institutions, bring prudential regulations in line with international norms, and strengthen banking supervision. These reforms have borne results. This volume shows that commercial banks in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka generally expanded access to finance and improved their performance and efficiency, stability, corporate governance, and market concentration and competitiveness over the period from 2001 to 2006. But results vary widely across and even within these areas, as shown by the countries' rankings on the indicators, which show that, with the notable exception of India, SouthAsian domestic debt markets are still at an early stage of development.

Financial Inclusion - Viable Opportunities in India

Financial Inclusion - Viable Opportunities in India PDF Author:
Publisher: Ajay Garg
ISBN: 8184659156
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 136

Book Description


Bringing E-money to the Poor

Bringing E-money to the Poor PDF Author: Thyra A. Riley
Publisher: World Bank Publications
ISBN: 1464810893
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 282

Book Description
Moving toward universal access to financial services is within reach, thanks to new technologies, transformative business models, and ambitious reforms. Instruments such as e-money accounts and mobile accounts, along with debit cards and low-cost traditional bank accounts, can significantly increase financial access for those who are excluded. Bringing e-Money to the Poor: Successes and Failures examines the lessons of success from four country case studies of “gazelles†?†•Kenya, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and Thailand†•that leapt from limitation to innovation by successfully enabling the deployment of e-money technology. These countries have thereby transformed the landscape of financial access to their poor. In addition, two country case studies (Maldives and the Philippines) yield lessons learned from constraints that stalled e-money deployments. Because technology is not a silver bullet, the case studies also explore other strategic elements that need to be in place for a country to expand access to financial services through digital technology.

More and Better Jobs in South Asia

More and Better Jobs in South Asia PDF Author: The World Bank
Publisher: World Bank Publications
ISBN: 0821389130
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 357

Book Description
South Asia has created nearly 800,000 jobs per month during the last decade. Robust economic growth in large parts of the region has created better jobs -- those that pay higher wages for wage workers and reduce poverty for the self-employed, the largest segment of the region s employed. Going forward, South Asia faces the enormous challenge of absorbing 1 to 1.2 million entrants to the labor force every month for the next two decades at rising levels of productivity. This calls for an agenda that cuts across sectors and includes improving the reliability of electricity supply for firms in both urban and rural settings, dealing decisively with issues of governance and corruption, making access to land easier for urban informal firms and strengthening transport links between rural firms and their markets. It requires improving nutrition in early childhood to avoid cognitive impairment, intensifying the focus on quality of learning in education systems, equipping workers with the skills that employers demand, and reorienting labor market regulations and programs to protect workers rather than jobs. The continuance of high economic growth to help improve job quality is not assured. But the region s demography can provide a favorable tailwind. The growth of workers exceeds that of dependents in much of the region. The resources saved from having fewer dependents can be shifted to high-priority investments in physical and human capital accumulation necessary to create productive jobs in countries with an enabling policy framework. But the demographic window of opportunity is open for only the next three decades, a fact which lends urgency to the reform agenda. This book will be of interest to policy makers, their advisers, researchers and students of economics who seek solutions, not only to the challenge of creating more and better jobs in South Asia but globally as well. It is the first title in South Asia Development Matters,a new series that will serve as a vehicle for in-depth synthesis of economic and policy analysis on key development topics for South Asia.

Economic and Financial Integration in South Asia

Economic and Financial Integration in South Asia PDF Author: Sanjay Sehgal
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
ISBN: 1000202798
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 199

Book Description
This book analyses the current state and potential of economic and financial integration in South Asia, which has emerged as one of the most dynamic regions of the world. It looks at how regional convergences and cooperation would reinforce ties amongst the diverse economies of South Asia in the changing global economic landscape. Drawing on empirical research, the book looks at the degree of economic and financial integration in South Asia, which according to the World Bank includes the least integrated regions in the world, and explores the fundamental factors that drive integration amongst these countries. It offers important insights into the financial landscape of the region, as well as the dynamics of the interlinkages in the banking system, the stock markets, and the debt markets. The book examines the role of bilateral trade in augmenting regional economic ties, the opportunities for growth these will foster, and the major challenges and roadblocks for the leaders of the region. It also provides an overview of China’s role in South Asia’s financial integration and the interdependence of these economies for economic opportunities, macroeconomic and financial stability, jobs, sustainable growth, and inclusive development. Detailed and insightful, this book will be of great interest to investors and regional policymakers. It will also be of interest to researchers and students of economics, public and foreign policy, finance, international relations, and South Asia studies.

Regionalism and Regional Security in South Asia

Regionalism and Regional Security in South Asia PDF Author: Asst Prof Zahid Shahab Ahmed
Publisher: Ashgate Publishing, Ltd.
ISBN: 1409467716
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 368

Book Description
Zahid Shahab Ahmed evaluates the progress of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). This study goes beyond economic integration to present a detailed appraisal of cooperation under the overarching themes of economic cooperation, environmental security, human welfare, and cooperation in security matters. According to the author, SAARC is making progress in addressing the myriad of issues on its agenda. The transition from agreements to actions and frequent interactions among the member states has boosted confidence. The progress of SAARC is more evident in the less controversial areas of human security, such as poverty alleviation, health and safety, human resources development, and higher education. Notwithstanding enthusiastic commitments reflected in agreements and action plans, there is a gulf between rhetoric and implementation most notably in sensitive areas relating to traditional security. In the light of the findings of this study, the author proposes that greater cooperation in common human security areas has a potential to pave the way for a cooperation on issues of a ‘contentious’ nature, particularly terrorism.

Gender Bias and Digital Financial Services in South Asia

Gender Bias and Digital Financial Services in South Asia PDF Author: Rashmi U. Arora
Publisher: Emerald Group Publishing
ISBN: 1838678573
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 71

Book Description
Gender Bias and Digital Financial Services in South Asia: Obstacles and Opportunities on the Road to Equal Access examines access to financial services to women in general in South Asia and specifically their access to digital financial services.

Leveraging Urbanization in South Asia

Leveraging Urbanization in South Asia PDF Author: Peter Ellis
Publisher: World Bank Publications
ISBN: 1464806632
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 207

Book Description
The number of people in South Asia's cities rose by 130 million between 2000 and 2011--more than the entire population of Japan. This was linked to an improvement in productivity and a reduction in the incidence of extreme poverty. But the region's cities have struggled to cope with the pressure of population growth on land, housing, infrastructure, basic services, and the environment. As a result, urbanization in South Asia remains underleveraged in its ability to deliver widespread improvements in both prosperity and livability. Leveraging Urbanization in South Asia is about the state of South Asia's urbanization and the market and policy failures that have taken the region’s urban areas to where they are today--and the hard policy actions needed if the region’s cities are to leverage urbanization better. This publication provides original empirical and diagnostic analysis of urbanization and related economic trends in the region. It also discusses in detail the key policy areas, the most fundamental being urban governance and finance, where actions must be taken to make cities more prosperous and livable.