The Asia Foundation has pioneered the design and use of Economic Governance Indices (EGI) as an important, recognized asset used by local governments to determine how best to encourage private sector development in Vietnam, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia. For its part, several of the Center for Global Development’s research initiatives have used indicators to effect policy change: our Commitment to Development Index ranks 21 rich countries on their dedication to policies that benefit the five billion people living in poor countries and CGD fellows have worked with the Brookings Institution to construct an index on state weakness.
This seminar on April 2, 2008 focused on the EGI, which provides comparative data on provincial governance and its impact on economies. By showing government leaders the best practices found in their own countries, policymakers begin to understand how improved governance can invigorate the private sector and lead to increased economic development.
The discussion featured remarks from Veronique Salze Lozac'h, Regional Economic Director, The Asia Foundation, Cambodia; Eddy Malesky, Harvard Academy Fellow, Weatherhead Center for International Affairs; Neil McCulloch, Director for Economic Programs, The Asia Foundation, Jakarta; and Bruce Tolentino, Director, Economic Reform and Development Program, The Asia Foundation, San Francisco and was moderated by Stewart Patrick, Research Fellow, Center for Global Development.
