The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has rolled out the online version of its Statistical Database System (SDBS), a key database of social, economic and financial indicators of its developing member countries.

The database was developed and will be maintained by the ADB's Economics and Research Department. It contains data from 1988 onwards and will be a major resource and analytical tool for policymakers, academics, researchers and journalists interested in issues and challenges facing Asia and the Pacific. The launch of the online version of SDBS underscores ADB's role as a key knowledge bank for developing member countries in the region. To help users in navigating the website, an easy access online facility has been developed.

The system was first developed to provide data support for ADB operations. Statistical tables for the ADB's Key Indicators are generated from SDBS. As part of ADB's role as a key knowledge bank for developing countries in the region and to support the development community and policymakers, part of the system is now accessible free of charge. MDG tables of ADB's developing member countries can also be generated from this database.

The SDBS is available from: www.adb.org/Statistics/sdbs.asp.