'Grandma's savings' can fill Asia's infrastructure gap

Infrastructure deficit is now high on the agenda for many emerging economies but how to finance it often gets left behind in the manifestos of elected governments.  All too often, the financing burden falls on fiscal apparatus and ultimately, taxpayers.

Private sector participation in infrastructure projects in Asia is now more crucial than ever.  The Asian Development Bank estimates private sector financing will have to increase from $68 billion to $250 billion every year from 2016 to 2020 to fill the financing gap in developing Asian countries ex-China.

While much has been done on the multilateral and bilateral fronts, too often the financing is...