The 385-page book, published by the Asia Pacific Philanthropy Consortium (APPC), contains in-depth analyses and recommendations for improving the legal and regulatory frameworks that govern philanthropy and the nonprofit sector in the region.

Law Minister Moudud Ahmed unveiled the cover of the book at the publication ceremony organised by the Bangladesh Freedom Foundation at the Brac Centre Inn.

"What we need to do is to see whether the laws related to philanthropy in Bangladesh also need modernisation or updating," he said.

The topics of studies presented in the book include evolution of nonprofit law, permitted organisational forms, registration procedures, permitted and prohibited purposes and provisions for the termination or dissolution of nonprofit organisations, fiscal policy and issues related to internal governance and public accountability of nonprofit organisations.

In the introductory chapter of the book, Mark Sidel and Iftekhar Zaman, editors of the publication, note that 'Nonprofit law in South Asia is a richly textured force that both controls and facilitates nonprofit and philanthropic activity'.

Maria Aurora Francisco Tolentino, executive director of the Manila-based APPC, said, "Improving the legal and regulatory environment for philanthropic and nonprofit organisations in Asia is one of our many goals. We also seek to contribute to improving the internal governance and public accountability of these organisations."

Dr Kamal Hossain, president of Gono Forum, Dr Iftekhar Zaman, co-editor of the book and executive director of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), Dr Saira Rahman Khan, co-author of the Bangladesh chapter and a member of Odhikar, and Dr Ahmadullah Mia, director of Research, Planning and Policy Advocacy, Dhaka Ahsania Mission, were present at the ceremony.

The publication project was funded by The Ford Foundation, The Himalaya Foundation, The Myer Foundation, The Rockefeller Foundation and The Asia Foundation.