Weekly Program Highlights
Afghanistan – CIPE conducted its first economics training seminar for members of the Afghan Parliament, focused on the differences between a free market and centrally planned economies. The event was attended by 24 members of parliament, nine staff members, and two parliamentary advisors.
Bangladesh – CIPE partner the Bangladesh Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BWCCI) has been granted affiliation status by the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Bangladesh’s main trade body). For six years, BWCCI had not been recognized by the federation. BWCCI raised the issue a recent seminar with the government’s Finance Advisor, who then compelled the federation to recognize BWCCI.
Pakistan – CIPE completed its review of the Corporate Governance Guide for Family Owned Companies and began circulating the guide among its partners in Pakistan for comments.
Background and Overview
South Asia, comprising Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, represents a myriad of governance structures and economic practices. From the newly democratic mountain kingdom of Bhutan to the civil-war torn island of Sri Lanka, each country presents its own challenges for CIPE. India, an established democracy with a booming economy, faces fewer difficulties than its neighbors.
Afghanistan is still faced with the challenges of post-conflict reconstruction and democratic consolidation. The Karzai administration must continue down a democratic path to ensure the growth of a free market in Afghanistan. CIPE continues to support Afghan chambers of commerce, which have made considerable progress in establishing public-private dialogue and demand-driven programs for the business community, as well as other private institutions.
Pakistan is perhaps the most challenging country in the region. It is a country deeply troubled by inequality, violence, corruption, and poor education, stemming largely from a lack of viable democratic institutions. Chambers of commerce and business associations struggle to find ways to participate in the policymaking process and to become more competitive in a regulated environment. Corporate governance appears in a variety of guises, but has yet to penetrate most businesses. Ongoing economic reforms have failed to address deep-seated institutional problems, indicating that the business community needs to start playing a more active role in democratic decision-making.
Like Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal face challenges resulting from internal struggles and terrorist activities. Nepal is also faced with the trials and tribulations of transitioning from a monarchy to a democracy and balancing a tenuous coalition government. Bangladesh still suffers from the political quagmire caused by the inability of the two main parties to work together. Sri Lanka must cope with an ongoing civil war in addition to rebuilding its economy after the deadly tsunami of late 2004.
CIPE’s work in South Asia focuses on building business association capacity, developing the role of business in public policymaking, instilling the values of corporate governance, reducing corruption, and improving access to economic information.
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