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Innovation for Water Infrastructure Development in the Mekong Region
Water-related infrastructure could contribute significantly to the development of the Mekong region. At the same time, poor water infrastructure could lead to development challenges for the countries in the region. Innovation for Water Infrastructure Development in the Mekong Region discusses the challenges facing the region as well as the possible innovative policy options, including those used in Emerging Asian countries, and with reference to the experiences of OECD member countries. It provides analysis and recommendations for the region’s policy makers to consider in their efforts to improve water infrastructure. The report first provides an overview of the socio-economic contributions and environmental challenges of the Mekong River. It then presents some potential new financing options for the development of water infrastructure, using digital tools such as Fintech and blockchain. It also examines the potential of using the spillover effect of tax revenues to attract private finance. It then goes on to discuss the importance of strengthening water infrastructure resilience against natural disasters, including the current COVID-19 pandemic, and finally analyses the challenges of water regulations in the Mekong region.
eBook
The Environments of the Poor in Southeast Asia, East Asia and the Pacific
This book provides examples of possible triple-win solutions for simultaneously reducing poverty, raising the quality of the environment, and adapting to climate change. The book provides empirical evidence and observations from sixteen case studies in Southeast and East Asia, and from the Pacific. It argues that a spatial approach focussing on the environments in which the poor and vulnerable live, would trigger changes for development policies and implementation that better balance environmental and social concerns. In line with the post-2015 Millennium Development Goals (MDG) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) agenda, emphasizing integrated development approaches for the slum poor, the upland poor, the dryland poor, the coastal poor, and the flood-affected wetland poor, would also bring the environment and poverty agenda closer.
The book emerged from a cooperation of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) with the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies (ISEAS) in partnership with experts from research institutes and think-tanks in the Asian region.
eBook
Investment in Research and Development for Basmati Rice in Pakistan
Basmati rice is Pakistan's celebrated export. After years of growth, Pakistan's production and export of basmati has slipped and is on a downward trend. The absence of a strong research and development institutional structure makes it extremely difficult for the sector to prepare for new challenges. The status of basmati rice as a major export commodity hides the fact that its contribution is below its potential. Without a policy commitment to elevate basmati rice as a strategic product, it will continue to be impacted by changing economic and environmental conditions. Extra funding for basmati can be easily channeled from the levy that is being collected from its export or through government development funds. The bigger challenge is changing the embedded mindset that fails to connect research and development with the production and commercialization of basmati.
Paper
Key water-related development challenges in the Mekong River Basin – Brief overview
This chapter provides an overview of the socio-economic and environmental challenges concerning the Mekong River. It also discusses the initiatives towards further regional co-operation, with a focus on mutual efforts to enhance climate resilience. The chapter also reviews the economic benefits of the Mekong River in terms of agriculture and fisheries, navigation and trade, tourism, hydropower, water supply and sediment extraction. The likely impact of climate change on wetlands, biodiversity and aquaculture is subsequently addressed. The chapter concludes with a discussion about the need to build on transboundary co‑operation efforts to preserve both the economic gains and ecosystem services that benefit millions of people in the Mekong River Basin.
Book Chapter
Overview: Innovative approaches to building resilient water infrastructure in the Mekong region
This overview summarises the main points contained in the five chapters of the publication on Innovation for Water Infrastructure Development in the Mekong Region. Chapter 1 provides a snapshot of the key socio-economic and environmental challenges facing the Mekong River and underlines the importance of transboundary initiatives to address these challenges. Chapter 2 explores the benefits of innovative financing models enabled by technologies, such as crowdfunding and tokenisation. Chapter 3 analyses infrastructure investment needs and focuses on spillover tax revenues to boost private sector participation. Chapter 4 presents a variety of initiatives that could enhance the resilience of water infrastructure in the face of natural disasters, putting particular emphasis on community engagement and digital tools. Chapter 5 completes the picture with a discussion about the weaknesses of water and wastewater regulations in the Mekong countries and highlights a few priority areas for reform.
Book Chapter
The potential of digital infrastructure financing: Fintech and blockchain
The public sector continues to finance the bulk of infrastructure in Asia and the Mekong region, although the private sector is increasingly involved through public-private partnerships (PPPs) and privatisation. This chapter explores alternative finance mechanisms that harness digital technologies (e.g. Fintech) to fund infrastructure, including crowdfunding and tokenisation. It suggests such platforms can help transcend the limits of traditional banks, providing a lower entry cost for retail investors. They can also build community support, sending a reassuring signal to larger institutional investors. The chapter also highlights the use of crowdfunding and blockchain tokens to support a variety of projects, including in real estate, energy, parks, transport and water. Despite these successful case studies, the use of Fintech to finance public infrastructure remains marginal.
Book Chapter
Water infrastructure resilient to natural disasters and COVID-19
Countries in the Mekong region are particularly prone to natural disasters such as floods, storms, drought, earthquakes, landslides and epidemics. Climate change, rapid and unplanned urbanisation, as well as environmental degradation, are among factors that increase countries’ vulnerability to natural hazards. Since these external shocks can threaten livelihoods, destroy infrastructure or other physical capital and lead to significant socio‑economic consequences, improving resilience against natural disasters is essential. The COVID-19 pandemic has also demonstrated the need to build resilience against shocks to curb the infection rate and minimise damage. This chapter discusses the role of resilient water infrastructure, community engagement and the use of digital tools in strengthening preparedness against natural disasters. It also addresses water-related challenges and several preparedness and response initiatives during the pandemic.
Book Chapter
Challenges of water regulation in the Mekong region
Universal access to drinking safe water, sanitation and hygiene can provide benefits to health, well-being, the economy and the environment. However, the Mekong region faces a number of challenges, including financing the water infrastructure needed to meet the demands of growing economies and populations. This chapter explores the characteristics of good water and wastewater regulations before turning to priorities in Mekong countries: Cambodia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Myanmar, Thailand and Viet Nam. This chapter addresses issues such as financial sustainability, quality standards, law enforcement, public service obligations, delivery standards, risk management, incentives for more efficient water use in agriculture, public-private partnerships, water demand management, information gathering, licensing, public participation, dispute resolution and consumer protection.
Book Chapter
Inducing private finance to water supply and inland water transport using spillover tax revenues
This chapter assesses the merits of inducing private finance in water supply and inland water transport. It discusses infrastructure investment needs in the region, with particular focus on private participation. It introduces the concept of spillover tax revenues, which are also known as indirect or secondary revenues, or externality effects. The chapter also shows the importance of the spillover effect of water supply and inland water transport on the economy. It then examines financing for water supply through bank loans, insurance funds, pension funds, revenue bonds and equity investment. Finally, it proposes alternatives for financing water supply and inland water transport. This includes returning fractional spillover tax revenues to investors in water projects and offering financing for start-up businesses and small and medium-sized enterprises near the water supply.
Book Chapter