The OPEC countries’ collective policy is to offer external development assistance free from political or commercial ties, with the purpose of expressing the solidarity of one group of developing countries with the rest. Since 1976, this policy has found vigorous practical expression in the operations and activities of the OPEC fund. First published in 1983, this book describes the Fund’s organisational evolution into a fully-fledged international body, detailing the fund’s achievements in providing loans and grants to over 80 countries with operations based on principles that have influenced the whole development movement. Concrete examples are outlined, such as where the fund has acted as a catalyst for development, or a spokesman for a group of countries in international negotiations.

This publication describes further progress of ongoing and recently undertaken initiatives for the Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative (PSDI). It highlights the issues and many of the encouraging outcomes resulting from earlier efforts. It also explores issues expected to emerge in the future, and how they will be dealt with. PSDI is a regional technical assistance facility cofinanced by the Australian Agency for International Development. It supports and encourages inclusive, private sector–led, sustainable economic growth among Pacific developing member countries of the Asian Development Bank. PSDI focuses on improving access to financial services, business law reform, and state-owned enterprise reform and public–private partnerships in the region.

Providing an authoritative yet accessible introduction to the Asian Development Bank (ADB), this comprehensive Companion offers a detailed examination of the ADB’s objectives, policies, development outcomes, strengths and weaknesses, areas for reform, and challenges going forward.