CLDP’s work in Asia aims to advance economic development by enhancing the legal environment for commerce. CLDP partners with governments and the private sector in Asia to support sustainable and transparent reform and enforcement of commercial law and economic policy, which creates greater opportunity for domestic and foreign trade and investment, encourages the expansion of private businesses and job creation, and helps level the competitive playing field. CLDP technical assistance includes programming in trade and investment, intellectual property (IP), technology transfer and innovation, competition and consumer protection, energy, mining and other extractives, company and franchise law, information and communication technology (ICT), transportation and infrastructure, eCommerce and cyber law, banking and financing, insolvency and bankruptcy, alternative dispute resolution (ADR), continuing legal education (CLE), and women’s economic empowerment. Participants in CLDP programming include government officials (e.g., judges, lawyers, regulators), as well as members of the private sector (e.g., lawyers, businessmen, other professionals).

CLDP's work in Asia has included assisting Vietnam with drafting its first commercial code and supporting the country with World Trade Organization (WTO) and trade policy-making concepts. In addition, CLDP has worked with the Government of the Philippines to foster a legal environment conducive to better enforcement of Intellectual Property rights both in the public and the private sector. Previously, CLDP implemented a three-year technical assistance program with Pakistan’s regulators and enforcers of intellectual property rights. Today, CLDP is working throughout Pakistan on technology transfer programs.

South Asia

AFGHANISTAN

CLDP's work in Afghanistan has focused on assisting the Government of Afghanistan with legal and economic reforms aimed at spurring economic growth; and improving food safety and trade in Afghanistan through enhanced Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Systems, and support for the Agri-Business industry and exports. Programming has been held in the areas of mining, information and communication technology (ICT), WTO compliance, customs regulation, alternative dispute resolution (ADR), bankruptcy, and intellectual property.

BANGLADESH

CLDP has been working with the government of Bangladesh to develop transparent legal and procedural frameworks to enhance economic growth, including Information and Communication Technology (ICT), as well as other complex infrastructure projects that are part of the Infrastructure Transaction and Assistance Network (ITAN). CLDP has also provided assistance to the Government of Bangladesh on liquified natural gas (LNG) regulations and contracts.

THE MALDIVES

CLDP has been working with the government of the Maldives to establish predictable and transparent commercial regulations and high-caliber contracts in pursuit of greater business opportunities and increased economic integration. As part of the Infrastructure Transaction and Assistance Network (ITAN), CLDP has been working with the government of the Maldives to develop transparent legal and procedural frameworks to oversee complex infrastructure projects.

NEPAL

With a focus on Public-Private Partnerships, CLDP has been working with the government of Nepal to develop transparent legal and procedural frameworks to oversee complex infrastructure projects as part of the Infrastructure Transaction and Assistance Network (ITAN).CLDP also supports Nepal in creating an enabling environment for increased connectivity through the Digital Connectivity and Cybersecurity Partnership (DCCP). 

PAKISTAN

From 2005-2008, CLDP worked closely with the Government of Pakistan to develop an effective intellectual property rights protection and enforcement regime. CLDP developed a comprehensive program to strengthen the various facets of IPR protection and enforcement in Pakistan. Activities included providing consultative support for the successful operation of the Pakistan Intellectual Property Organization, conducting judicial trainings on intellectual property rights enforcement, developing intellectual property curricula for local universities, and fostering public awareness programs designed to increase recognition and respect for IPR in Pakistan. In 2010, CLDP conducted consultations with Pakistan’s National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) to help bring Pakistan’s academic technology innovation to the marketplace which will lead to export diversification and new jobs. This program enhanced NUST’s capacity to train management teams from university incubators to create and implement policies and systems to effectively commercialize innovation. Key components of this program included IP protection strategy, technology valuation and commercialization and technology licensing which are all critical components to commercializing technology innovation. CLDP’s partnership with NUST establishes NUST as a leader in technology-based economic development in Pakistan and will allow NUST to provide mentorship in this domain to incubators in all four provinces. Please click here to learn about CLDP's current programs in Pakistan.

SRI LANKA

CLDP works with the Government of Sri Lanka to improve their commercial, legal, and regulatory framework, with the goal of increasing opportunity for domestic and foreign trade and investment, in pursuit of economic development. As part of the Infrastructure Transaction and Assistance Network (ITAN), CLDP has been working with the government of Sri Lanka to develop transparent legal and procedural frameworks to oversee complex infrastructure projects

Southeast Asia and the Pacific

BURMA (MYANMAR)

CLDP has been working with law schools in Burma (Myanmar) since 2018 to improve understanding of commercial arbitration. Developing commercial arbitration is an important indicator that a country is ready for foreign direct investment.

THE PHILIPPINES

CLDP has been working collaboratively with other USG experts to build IP enforcement capacity in the Philippines since 2006. Programs have focused on the following: In 2006, CLDP, in collaboration with the Government of the Philippines and the Philippines Patent and Trademark Office (PPTO), conducted a conference on prevention of Internet piracy through the implementation of the WIPO Internet Treaties. The event was attended by over 200 stakeholders from the government and the private sector. The workshop focused on means of implementing the existing law to limit IP digital piracy. In 2008, CLDP assisted the PPTO in the preparation of an Advanced Course on IP for Commercial Court Judges: a four-day judicial training to improve implementation and enforcement of IP principles by Filipino courts. CLDPalso provided the judges with an IP training guide designed for practitioners, as well as an Instructor’s manual, including many practical case studies designed by CLDP for such training. In 2009, CLDP held a workshop focusing on increasing the capacity of stakeholders (such as lawyers, scientists and businesses) to functionally engage in the technology licensing process. The course focused on practical skills, and the attendees whom, upon completion, were able to handle the entire licensing agreements negotiation process. As part of the process, the PPTO set up a technology transfer website where all the documents used during the proceedings were uploaded. The participants were able to start preparing for the workshop by reviewing policies and case studies, optimizing the time they spent with the experts. Beyond the workshop, the website continues to be maintained by the PPTO training center, thereby becoming a resource both for the Philippines but also for other countries in the region as well as a model for other IP institutions anywhere in the world.