This report looks at small-scale aquaculture from the viewpoint of poverty reduction. What are the main factors that enable fish farming to generate livelihoods and reduce poverty? Based on case studies, the first part of the report highlights the importance of access to capital assets--human, social, natural, physical, and financial--and to a range of transforming processes, such as markets, institutions, facilities, infrastructure, and services.

Bangladesh has made impressive socioeconomic gains with a steady rise in its gross domestic product, a decrease in overall rates of poverty, boost in social development, and steady movement toward achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has been a key partner in Bangladesh's struggle for a better future since 1973 by contributing to critical socioeconomic and governance reforms. As of 31 December 2012, ADB's cumulative lending amounted to about $14.1 billion for 234 loans, and its technical assistance grants amounted to $221.7 million for 389 projects. The country is also one of the largest recipients of concessional Asian Development Fund resources. ADB has been the second-largest source of development financing, and one of the lead financiers in energy, transport, education, water supply and sanitation, agriculture and natural resources, and finance sectors of Bangladesh.