Five Decades of ADB and Its Future

ADB President Takehiko Nakao kicked off the 2017 Insight Thursday series held by sharing his thinking on Five Decades of ADB and Its Future.

He provided his vision of ADB's future priorities and touched on the eight key conditions for economic development.

This video covers the full session of Insight Thursday, ADB’s in-house knowledge sharing series.

Running at the Top of the World: The Journey Toward Leadership and Success

In 2016, William Thomas completed The Marathon Grand Slam, consisting of a marathon on all 7 continents and at the North Pole.

In this presentation, he shares the lessons he learned from his multi-year journey, and describes the impact that personal experiences can have on innovation, collaboration, and overall success in the workplace.

This video covers the full session of Insight Thursday, ADB’s in-house knowledge sharing series.

Deploying Mobile and Branchless Banking in Bhutan

An ADB project is helping Bhutan promote financial literacy and strengthen financial inclusion by supporting mobile and branchless banking.

In line with the government's priority under the Eleventh Five-Year Plan (2013–2018) to improve the business climate for the private sector, the Strengthening Economic Management Program II (SEMP II) identified the possibility of high impact mobile and branchless banking that extends the reach of financial services to remote areas.

Leveraging Information and Communication Technology for Development

“ICT for Development” leverages information and communication technology to propel economic and social progress in developing countries.

ICT has already transformed the financial services, media, retail, and telecommunications sectors. Through the globalization it simultaneously feeds on and accelerates, it is reshaping societies, economies, and governments worldwide.

Remittances and Financial Inclusion: A Policy and Regulatory Approach

The volume of remittance inflows in the Philippines continues to grow. In 2014, remittances channeled through the banking system reached US$24.3 billion, or 8.5% of the country's gross domestic product. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) sees this is an opportunity for inclusive growth. It has fostered financial inclusion through policy initiatives that enable more Filipinos to gain effective access to a wide range of financial services that could help them manage unforeseen financial shocks and increase their savings and investments.

State-Owned Enterprise and Public Sector Reforms

Pacific state-owned enterprises (SOEs) are often formed to increase service delivery effectiveness and accountability. Historical and financial indicators, however, show that long-term government ownership of SOEs often result in outcomes counter to these goals. Asian Development Bank’s study of SOE performance in the Pacific emphasizes political commitment to reform as a key driver for commercial results.

Economic Corridor Development: Putting Concept into Action

ADB's Manoj Sharma discusses the Visakhapatnam–Chennai Industrial Corridor Development Program, comprised of a multitranche financing facility, a policy-based loan, an urban climate change resilience grant, and technical assistance to India. The project will stimulate growth through infrastructure investments, policy reforms, and institutional development.

This video covers the full session of Insight Thursday, ADB’s in-house knowledge sharing series.