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This chapter focuses on experience with comprehensive assessments and planning exercises in the public and private sectors, and their implications for the implementation of the Comprehensive Development Framework and the Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers. Facilitating client learning is vital for client ownership and sustainable policy change. World Bank has devoted significant resources to its tools and frameworks, and has imposed them on clients and partners. With emphasis on its role as a knowledge bank, the World Bank will need to adopt a learning mode for its role in knowledge services for development.

The article provides an assessment of ASEAN's priority sectors appropriated for fast-track integration. It is inferred that ASEAN integration offers substantial gains to its member countries. It highlights the value of acquiring a more dynamic perspective to economic integration. Furthermore, it concludes that the policy application alters between countries, suggesting that there may be value in specific countries taking a different economic reform path.

The article focuses on the generic impediments to ASEAN integration in the absence of a network of Double Taxation Agreements (DTAs) between ASEAN member countries (AMCs). It is inferred that a limited DTA network increases business tax costs, imposes administrative burdens, and produces transaction uncertainties among others. Also included are suggestions that would remove impediments to economic integration resulting from taxation arrangements.