The ASEAN Foundation, through the Japan-ASEAN Solidarity Fund, partnered with the Asian Institute of Management
to conduct a series of case studies on mainstreaming poverty alleviation initiatives in ASEAN. This project, seamlessly
linked with the Asian Development Bank Regional Technical Assistance (ADB RETA) on "Regional Knowledge and
Partnerships Networks of Poverty Reduction and Inclusive Growth," aims to contribute to the knowledge management
process and structure of the RETA by including private sector participation in the ASEAN region.
As widespread poverty continues to be the most formidable development challenge in ASEAN, generating
information and enabling knowledge products accessible is a strategic means toward increasing capacities among
decision makers, development practitioners, and other stakeholders in poverty alleviation.
The eighteen case studies included in this book cover various countries in Southeast Asia and provide an
insight into firms with corporate social responsibility strategies, and non-governmental organizations. Emphasis is
placed on the incidental benefits that accrue to the poor from firms adopting a bottom of the pyramid approach and
re-engineering products and services to make them affordable to the poor. Market Solutions to Public Needs seeks
to bridge the development gap and establish a viable and dynamic hub of best practices and knowledge products
that supports the building of the ASEAN community.