Empowering Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises through Islamic Finance

ADB's Asghar Ali Syed from the Office of the General Counsel discussed how micro, small, and medium enterprises' access to financial services can be increased through Islamic finance in ADB's operations. He provided examples on how improving access to financial services can bring real and positive change into the lives of low-income households.

This event is part of ADB's in-house Insight Thursday lecture series.​

Mobilizing and Allocating Resources and the Development of Public-Private Partnerships

Private sector resources are essential to the growth and sustainability of quality technical and vocational education and training (TVET) systems in the Asia and Pacific region, and not simply about getting more money. Creating the right environment for sustainable financing will help achieve TVET and national policy objectives.

Using Pre-feasibility Studies to Conceptualize the Bangladesh City Region Development Project II

Urban Studio, a knowledge-sharing initiative of the ADB Urban Sector Group, kicked off with the presentation of pre-feasibility studies on a city development project in Bangladesh.

The session featured Cities Development Initiative for Asia's Senior Urban Environmental Engineer Neil Chadder and Asian Development Bank's Senior Urban Development Specialist Mingyuan Fan as speakers. They presented pre-feasibility studies and preliminary engineering design work carried out in Gazipur and Khulna City Corporation in preparation for the ADB-funded City Region Development Project II.

Public-Private Partnership Led Improved Fecal Sludge Management Services in Faridpur Municipality, Bangladesh

This presentation provides a brief situational analysis of the state of fecal sludge management in the municipality of Faridpur in Bangladesh. A business proposal was created to improve the system on a large scale adopting service level agreements with private sector service providers.

Localizing Global Agendas: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development including Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Action

This presentation examines global climate pacts like the Paris Agreement and Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030. It looks at climate change and disaster risk reduction in the context of the sustainable development goals. Lastly, it underscores the importance of an integrated approach in the implementation of global agreements.

Video - Session 6 - Alternative Financing Schemes and Business Models

This video covers Session 6 of the conference entitled “Alternative Financing Schemes and Business Models.” It draws lessons from a solar home program implemented in Bangladesh that demonstrates how business models can address inclusive energy challenges. It also shows how private sector partnership can bring inclusive development to a solar park similar to the one introduced in India’s Rajasthan State.

Bangladesh: We Have Not Forgotten You – Unusual Partnerships for Prisoners

Officials from several ministries, the Prison Directorate, and the Bangladesh Police have undertaken a number of visits abroad to observe first-hand how other countries organise their criminal justice systems. Recommendations were developed based on the learnings from the trips and possible reform options regarding the police were formulated, such as granting bail to suspects during the investigation phase, ensuring legal representation in police stations, and diverting drug users for treatment. Possible activities for improved partnerships were highlighted.