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on Confederation of Independent States |
| By: | Anzoategui, Diego; Soledad Martinez Peria, Maria; Melecky, Martin |
| Abstract: | The Russian banking sector includes approximately 1,000 banks, but is it competitive? This paper analyzes bank competition in Russia during 2002-2008. The authors examine indicators of concentration and contestability, and compute non-structural measures of competition. They compare competition in Russia to that in Brazil, China, and India, and contrast competition across different groups of banks within Russia. Contestability in Russia is obstructed by uneven supervisory practices and an unclear exit process. Non-structural measures reveal that banks in Russia are less competitive than those in Brazil. Within Russia, large banks and state-owned banks exert more market power than the smaller and privately-owned institutions. Finally, business-oriented banks are more competitive than those concentrating on lending to individuals. |
| Keywords: | Banks&Banking Reform,Access to Finance,Financial Intermediation,Financial Crisis Management&Restructuring,Emerging Markets |
| Date: | 2010–10–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:5449&r=cis |
| By: | Barbone, Luca; Islam, Roumeen; Sanchez, Luis Alvaro |
| Abstract: | This paper examines fiscal outcomes in Eastern and Central European countries before and during the global crisis of 2008-2010. These outcomes are evaluated in the context of overall changes in fiscal institutions and global market conditions. Eastern and Central European countries’ situations improved dramatically in the pre-crisis period as tax revenues boomed, and fiscal institutions were reformed. Expenditures increased quite significantly in real terms for some of the countries in the pre-crisis era so that when tax revenues collapsed in the wake of the crisis, the countries were left with large deficits. Institutional reform helped countries manage their fiscal situations better, but the crisis also exposed shortcomings of the status quo. In the post-crisis period, fiscal institutions aimed at promoting fiscal discipline are being strengthened. Governments will also need to take a closer look at the sustainability of current expenditure patterns, particularly the strong emphasis on social expenditures. |
| Keywords: | Public Sector Expenditure Policy,Debt Markets,Fiscal Adjustment,Subnational Economic Development,Public Sector Economics |
| Date: | 2010–10–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:5453&r=cis |
| By: | Fatma Gul Unal; Mirjana Dokmanovic; Rafis Abazov |
| Abstract: | This paper looks at the countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), where economies have been most dramatically hit by the global crisis and its impact is likely to be most long-lasting, especially among poor and vulnerable groups. Using poverty as the main axis, it looks at aspects of economic and social development in countries at similar poverty levels to identify the degree of fiscal space in each, as well as the different policy choices made. The paper argues that despite such economic fundamentals as increasing external debt, worsening current account imbalances, and demands for a balanced budget, governments have policy choices to make about how to protect different groups, especially the most vulnerable-including women. |
| Keywords: | Economic Crisis; Gender; Policy Response; Pro-poor Macro Policies; Gender; Policy Space; Central and Eastern Europe; Commonwealth of Independent States |
| JEL: | B5 E6 E61 |
| Date: | 2010–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:lev:wrkpap:wp_598&r=cis |
| By: | Kenneth Aarskaug Wiik, Trude Lappegård, and Renske Keizer (Statistics Norway) |
| Abstract: | In this study, we utilize data from the first wave of the Generations and Gender Surveys to investigate relationship quality among currently married and cohabiting individuals aged 18 to 55 (N = 41, 666) in eight European countries (Bulgaria, France, Germany, Hungary, Norway, Romania, Russia, and the Netherlands). Controlling for a range of characteristics of respondents and their partners, the analyses show that cohabitors in general more often have breakup plans and are less satisfied than those married. We expected to find fewer differences between cohabitation and marriage in countries where cohabitation is widespread. Correspondingly, we find that the difference between marriage and cohabitation is largest in Russia, Romania, Germany and Bulgaria. |
| Keywords: | Marriage; Cohabitation; Relationship Quality; Europe |
| JEL: | Z10 Z13 Z19 |
| Date: | 2010–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ssb:dispap:633&r=cis |