Tasman Asia Pacific is an economics consultancy founded in 1990 along with Tasman Institute, by Dr Michael Porter. Tasman specialises in the economics of development, finance, infrastructure and public policy reform. 

Tasman Asia Pacific’s areas of focus cover institutional and regulatory reform for infrastructure, private sector participation in infrastructure, infrastructure financing, public finance and taxation reform. 

Tasman Asia Pacific is active in Australia and Asian economic reforms, including training and communication of new ways of financing economic development. Tasman has been active in promoting reform agendas in Asia, and Indonesia in particular.

 The Tasman Asia Pacific of 2004 builds on a 25 year history of work in economics, policy and government reform, undertaken by Tasman’s consultants, network and predecessor organisations.  The rich body of work means that Tasman Asia Pacific has a vast range of experience and knowledge to draw upon in conducting its current projects.

Formed in 1990, Tasman Institute and Tasman Asia Pacific built on the experience of the Centre of Policy Studies (CoPS) at Monash University, founded by (then) Professor Michael Porter founded in 1979. Michael Porter and CoPS in 1982 were awarded a Research Centre of Excellence Grant, the only such grant in economics given by the Australian Government, following a competition from over 350 proposed centres from all disciplines.  CoPS and Tasman played lead roles in researching, consulting and advising on economic restructure, fiscal reforms and economic policy advice; first in Victoria, Australia and then in New Zealand and Asia.

Institutional Reform

The reform agenda, which has been continued under Tasman, has focused on restructure of state enterprise and, particularly electricity, transport and aviation.  CoPS published a large number of research and advisory documents consistent with subsequent moves towards restructuring and privatisation of electricity, airlines, rail transportations, water and telecommunications.

Tasman has developed institutional structures that encourage the achievement of world best practice, and regulatory frameworks to facilitate beneficial reform and minimise risk.  In particular, Tasman has been at the forefront of devising reform strategies and providing financial analyses of restructuring in the water and sanitation and electricity sectors in Victoria, New South Wales, Fiji, Vietnam, China, Thailand, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Western Samoa and Cambodia.  Natural monopoly segments are quickly identified, appropriate institutional structures, access rules, and pricing policies are specified and advice on implementation strategies provided. Tasman Asia Pacific was commissioned by the ADB and APEC to prepare an analysis of the Impact and Implications of the Asia Currency Crisis on infrastructure investment in Asia - a paper presented to the Finance Ministers.

Please contact our office if you would like further information about any of our activities.

or phone Dr Michael Porter, Executive Chairman, 61- (0) 414 452 930 or email mporter@tasman.com.au.