Publication database

This report presents the main messages of the Second ASEAN Inclusive Business Summit that took place on 1 November 2019 in Bangkok. As a result of efforts to promote inclusive business at the ASEAN and national levels, the majority of ASEAN Member States are engaging actively in inclusive business policy development. ASEAN leaders have commended and encouraged governments and private sector actors to continue promoting inclusive business, as stated in the ASEAN Chairman’s Statement of the 35th ASEAN Summit. A framework for the development of effective inclusive business policy instruments has emerged through the experience of frontrunner countries, highlighting eight strategic areas of inclusive business promotion.

This study provides an insight into social enterprise in Malaysia, including an estimate of the scale and scope of the sector. It assesses existing policies that are relevant to social enterprise and analyses how these have been implemented.This study is based on quantitative information obtained from a total of 132 survey respondents across Malaysia.

Batik Boutique, an inclusive business enterprise from Malaysia's capital city of Kuala Lumpur, is reinterpreting the ancient craft of batik textile-making and, in the process, giving the opportunity for women from a disadvantaged background to break the cycle of poverty. Batik Boutique was a finalist in the first ASEAN Inclusive Business Awards, which was held in 2017.

The Thomson Reuters Foundation's work in Southeast Asia continues to prove that social entrepreneurs are at the forefront of driving change and creating social impact. The legal structure that social entrepreneurs choose for their venture can have a significant bearing on their ability to achieve social change. The guide identifies the advantages and disadvantages of each structure and sets out the relevant registration procedures, regulatory and governance considerations, tax treatment as well as finance and fundraising options – an understanding of all of this is so crucial to ensuring the sustainability, good governance and success of a social venture. 

The Centre for Asian Philanthropy and Society benchmarked the philanthropic sector in 15 Asian countries. The analysis ranks the countries on their enabling environment for philanthropic giving. Philanthropic organisations could be potential investors for inclusive businesses (IB) since they are looking for investments with a social and/or environmental impact. Social delivery organisations (SDOs), among them IBs, with a high level of transparency can attract philanthropic investment and thereby mobilise capital.

This report provides case studies and lessons learned from seven Asian countries in five areas of innovative financing for development. Such innovative financing for development would benefit inclusive businesses as a new source of funding.