A round-up of public finance articles from Asia Pacific you might have missed this week (August 19-23).

Tighten regulation of Philippine NGOs, says stock exchange boss

The government should tighten rules on registration of non-government organisations, dozens of which have been linked to the multibillion-peso pork barrel scam. The call was made by Philippine Stock Exchange president and chief executive officer Hans Sicat, who also urged authorities to make sure those involved in the scam are punished. (The Philippine Star)

The dithering state is at the heart of India's problems

Comment: Rather than soothing investors’ nerves, the central bank’s stop-start measures have the whiff of panic. (Financial Times)

Japan faces hurdles in next round of TPP talks

US trade representative Mike Froman met with his Japanese counterpart, Toshimitsu Motegi, in advance of the next round of Trans Pacific Partnership negotiations, which got underway in Brunei. (The Diplomat)

Australian firms to win on tax give-and-take           

Comment: The coalition's parental leave package is, as Tony Abbott has insisted, fully funded and will have no effect on the budget bottom line. However the $2.5bn company tax cut offered to placate businesses hit by the parental leave levy will still have to be offset by savings elsewhere. (The Australian)

Environment law lifts green ethos

Deputy minister for natural resources and environment Bui Cach Tuyen has urged that environmental planning must be part of the country's plans for socio-economic development. (VietnamNet)

Malaysia's central bank chief makes call for financial inclusion

Comment: Making the financial system accessible to the world’s poorest people can unlock their economic potential, improve their lives, and benefit the wider economy. So it is no surprise that financial inclusion of the poor has become an important component of public policymaking, the governor of Malaysia’s central bank Zeti Akhtar Aziz has said. (Project Syndicate)