south asia watch on trade, economics and environment

Ongoing Programmes

USAID Trade and Competitiveness

SAWTEE is implementing the project from July 2022 to December 2026. The project is funded by USAID. Under this project, SAWTEE will identify, lead and implement policy work to increase access to market-based financial and non-financial services, increase productivity in sectors with high growth and employment potential and improve the investment climate and business enabling environment. 

Towards inclusive trade in Nepal: Research, advocacy and capacity building

This project is supported by The Asia Foundation for the period January-December 2023. Through research, capacity building and advocacy activities, SAWTEE aims to (i) enhance the capacity of Nepal’s media to better inform the public on business and economic issues, notably those related to international economic relations; (ii) contribute to making Nepal’s international trade inclusive through research and advocacy, including media engagement and coalition building; and (iii) raise awareness among stakeholders on the trade implications of Nepal’s graduation from the least developed country category, including implications for women-owned businesses, and on prospects in new and established markets and suggest market-specific strategies and actions and thereby inform economic diplomacy.

Political Economic Analysis on Nepal’s Public Debt

With support from The Asia Foundation, this project (September 2022-May 2023) entails a study of the public debt scenario in Nepal using the political economy lens. The study uncovers the political and economic drivers of Nepal’s public debt accumulation trends and helps policymakers, development partners, civil society actors and the media develop a deeper understanding about the public debt scenario of the country and create the necessary sensitization for implementing good public debt practices.