Madiha Riaz is an Associate Professor in the Department of Economics at The Islamia University of Bahawalpur. She earned her PhD in Economics from Universiti Sains Malaysia, specializing in the Efficiency of Social Performance Management in Microfinance Institutions, and holds a Master’s in Applied Econometrics from Monash University, Australia.

Janaka Fernando is a Senior Lecturer and Head of the Department of Business Economics, and Director of the Postgraduate Centre for Business Studies, Faculty of Management Studies and Commerce, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka. He holds a PhD in International Development from Nagoya University, Japan, a Master’s in International Development Studies from GRIPS, Japan, a Master’s in Economics from the University of Colombo, and a BSc in Business Administration (Business Economics) (Special) from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura.

Dewi Lestari Amaliah is a statistician at Statistics Indonesia (BPS). She has experience in official statistics, survey design, and applying statistical analysis to policy-oriented research. Her work includes collaboration with government agencies and international organizations on data analysis and statistical capacity building. Her research interests cover socio-economic development and statistical analysis in developing countries, with a particular focus on SMEs and the informal economy.

Hazwan Haini is a Researcher at the Centre for Strategic and Policy Studies (CSPS). Prior to joining CSPS Dr Hazwan has spent several years as an academic at the University of Brunei Darussalam, and Loughborough University, with extensive experience in teaching and research. Dr Hazwan has a PhD in Economics from Loughborough University, UK, a Masters of Science (MSc) in Banking and Finance from Loughborough University, UK, and a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Banking, Finance and Management from Loughborough University, 
UK.