As a key part of the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) Information Highway Project in Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal funded by the Asian Development Bank, The Village Network portal promotes rural e-development by providing funding for research and training programs in e-business development, distance learning, telemedicine, and Information and Communication (ICT) professional development, as well as training and financial support to small and medium ICT start-ups.