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on Central and Western Asia |
| By: | Bandyopadhyay, Arindam; Kuvalekar, S V; Basu, Sanjay; Baid, Shilpa; Saha, Asish |
| Abstract: | The empirical research on housing market in India is scarce due to the paucity of information. The monograph on “A Study of Residential Housing Demand in India” is the outcome of a Study conducted by the National Institute of Bank Management (NIBM) for National Housing Bank (NHB) and partially addresses advice of Reserve Bank of India to NHB on studying the housing and real estate sector. This study provides exhaustive empirical research and detailed analysis (both micro and macro level) of current status and future growth potential of housing industry in India, its back-ward and forward linkages, financing structure and nature of underlying risk in the housing market in India. |
| Keywords: | Housing Demand Estimation; Micro & Macro Analysis; Default Risk; Financial Institutions |
| JEL: | G2 P25 G32 E6 R21 G21 |
| Date: | 2008–04–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:9339&r=cwa |
| By: | Dhas, Albert Christopher; Helen, Mary Jacqueline |
| Abstract: | The unorganised workers account for about 93 per cent of the total workforce and there is a steady growth in it over years in India. It is argued that India had a long tradition of informal social security and social assistance system directed particularly towards the more vulnerable sections of the society but underwent steady and inevitable erosion. The social security initiatives of the Centre, State and NGO’s implemented during the past indicated that the needs are much more than the supports provided and the efforts must be targeted and vast enough to cover the growing unorganised workers. It is argued that the major security needs of the unorganised workers are food security, nutritional security, health security, housing security, employment security, income security, life and accident security, and old age security. In sum, the study calls for a Comprehensive, Universal and Integrated Social Security System for the unorganised workers in India. |
| Keywords: | Social Security; unorganised Workers;unorganised labour; Security; Food Security; Income Security; nutritional security; health security; housing security; employment security; life and accident security; old age security; India |
| JEL: | H55 E24 E26 |
| Date: | 2008–05–27 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:9335&r=cwa |
| By: | Pinelopi K. Goldberg; Amit Khandelwal; Nina Pavcnik; Petia Topalova |
| Abstract: | Recent theoretical work predicts that an important margin of adjustment to deregulation or trade reforms is the reallocation of output within firms through changes in their product mix. Empirical work has accordingly shifted its focus towards multi-product firms and their product mix decisions. Existing studies have however focused exclusively on the U.S. Using detailed firm-level data from India, we provide the first evidence on the patterns of multi-product firm production in a large developing country during a period (1989-2003) that spans large-scale trade and other market reforms. We find that in the cross-section, multi-product firms in India look remarkably similar to their U.S. counterparts, confirming the predictions of recent theoretical models. The time-series patterns however exhibit important differences. In contrast to evidence from the U.S., product churning--particularly product rationalization -- is far less common in India. We thus find little evidence of "creative destruction". We also find no link between declines in tariffs on final goods induced by India's 1991 trade reform and product dropping. The lack of product dropping is consistent with the role of industrial regulation in India, which, like in many other developing countries, may prevent an efficient allocation of resources. |
| JEL: | F13 F14 L1 L6 |
| Date: | 2008–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nbr:nberwo:14127&r=cwa |
| By: | Zehra Aftab (Pakistan Institute of Development Economics, Islamabad); Sajawal Khan (Pakistan Institute of Development Economics, Islamabad) |
| Abstract: | Earlier studies that investigated the J-Curve phenomenon for Pakistan employed aggregate trade data. These studies suffered from the “aggregation bias” problem. In order to overcome this constraint, this paper tests the effects of real exchange rate depreciation in the Pakistani Rupee on the bilateral trade balance between Pakistan and her 12 respective trade partners. These countries, together, account for almost half of Pakistan’s total trade. In order to differentiate between the long-run equilibrium and short-run disequilibrium dynamics, and also to deal with non-stationary data, the ARDL approach is used. The results do not provide any support for the standard J-curve phenomenon. |
| Keywords: | J-Curve, Trade Balance, Marshall-Lerner Condition |
| JEL: | F12 F14 F31 |
| Date: | 2008 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pid:wpaper:2008:45&r=cwa |
| By: | Zaman, Khalid; Ikram, Waseem |
| Abstract: | Pakistan is a capital-scarce economy and has been relying heavily on foreign capital inflows (FKI) to finance the saving-investment gap. Pro-poor Investment Index (PPII) deals with the dynamic aspect of Investment (FDI)-Poverty-Inequality. The aim of this study is to investigate the potential impact of FDI on the poors (poverty intensity of investment). The study examine as to what extent the poors have benefited from FDI while taking in to account the magnitude of investment and the benefit of investment achieved by the poors during 1985–2006. This research is extended within the phenomena of Pro-poor Growth Index (PPGI) as proposed by Kakwani and Pernia (2000) and Kakwani and Son (2004). During last two decades in Pakistan, three phases are regarded as Pro-poor. First phase is from 1985–86, second is from 1991-93 and the third phase is from 1997-02, while remaining is pro-rich or anti-poor. Cumulative effect for two decades (1985–2006) is Pro-poor. This analysis helps decision makers in developing strategies and policies for promoting investment and alleviating poverty. |
| Keywords: | Foreign Direct Investment (FDI); Consumer Price Index (CPI); Poverty (Head Count Ratio); Volatility of Exchange Rate (1 US $ =Rs.); Foreign Capital Inflow (FKI);Pro-Poor Investment Index. |
| JEL: | G1 D6 I32 |
| Date: | 2008–06–25 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:9332&r=cwa |
| By: | Sripad Motiram; Lars Osberg (Department of Economics, Dalhousie University; Department of Economics, Dalhousie University) |
| Date: | 2008–06–13 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:dal:wparch:tasks.pdf&r=cwa |
| By: | Khan, Haider |
| Abstract: | The main purpose of this paper is to examine the causes and consequences -- in particular, the policy implications -- of the ongoing urbanization in Bangladesh. Like many other Asian developing countries, a rapidly increasing share of the population of Bangladesh migrates to urban centers in search for employment opportunities outside agriculture in industrial enterprises or the services sector. For the first time in its history, the urban population is growing faster than the rural population, At the same time, the labor force in non-agriculture is growing faster than the labor force in agriculture. But the employment opportunities in either sector are not growing adequately. This paper attempts to analyze the emerging trends and patterns of urbanization in Bangladesh within a dynamic dual-dual framework with a strong emphasis on rural-urban migration and the informal sectors. The analysis pinpoints, among other things, the need to build up productive capacities in order to create adequate employment and incomes for the rapidly growing population---particularly in the urban areas.The development of productive capacities, which is a precondition for the creation of productive employment opportunities, is a central element of viable poverty reduction strategy for Bangladesh as well. Without significant poverty reduction it is impossible to think of viable urbanization on the basis of sustainable development criteria in this poor country. Both for independent ecological reasons and for the implications of ecological damage for rising inequality and poverty, such a strategy must also be ecologically sustainable in the long run. The donors, especially the OECD/ DAC countries, should provide the necessary financial backing for such a sustainable and equitable development strategy for Bangladesh. It is necessary to reverse the trends in aid, and to provide a much larger share of aid for productive sector development, including the development of rural and urban areas, and the development of agricultural and non-agricultural sectors in line with the perspective of the dual-dual model. Although urban centers mostly host non-agricultural industries, sustainable urbanization also strongly depends on what happens in the agricultural sectors. Productive employment opportunities in rural areas are important in order to combat an unsustainable migration from rural areas to urban centers, and productive employment opportunities in urban centers are essential to absorb the rapidly increasing labor force in the non-agricultural sector. |
| Keywords: | Urbanization; Bangladesh; Dual-Dual Model; Informal Sector; Poverty; Employment; Capabilities. |
| JEL: | C68 O17 O53 |
| Date: | 2008–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:9290&r=cwa |
| By: | Ahmad, Sayed Javed |
| Abstract: | This paper discusses the problems and issues on the political failures in Bangladesh as well as identifies some possible solutions. The approach here is analytical mostly reviewing current news, reports and other related materials. A comparative study is also done between the present and proposed system to get a quick glimpse on the overall situation. The idea here is to seek out reasonable and practical solutions that would yield better result for Bangladesh and bring about positive changes in the political scenario that would allow the country to move forward as a successful and dignified nation. I’ve kept the scope of this paper limited to political party, elections and governance. |
| Keywords: | Governance; Good governance; Public Policy; Public Administration; Elections; Parliament; etc. |
| JEL: | A39 H11 H83 D78 D8 J18 Y4 D73 O2 D02 I3 R5 D74 F5 G38 D72 I28 |
| Date: | 2008 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:9292&r=cwa |
| By: | Khanam, Rasheda; Ross, Russell |
| Abstract: | The paper examines the linkages between child work and both school attendance and school attainment of children aged 5–17 years using data from a survey based in rural Bangladesh. This paper first looks at school attendance as an indicator of a child’s time input in schooling; then it measures the “schooling-for-age” as a learning achievement or schooling outcome. The results from the logistic regressions show that school attendance and grade attainment are lower for children who are working. The gender-disaggregated estimates show that probability of grade attainment is lower for girls than that of boys. Household permanent income, parental education and supply side correlates of schooling (presence of a primary (grade 1-6) school and secondary (grade 6-10) school in the village) are appeared to be significant determinants of schooling in rural Bangladesh. The results of this study further show that the effect of household permanent income, parental education and presence of secondary school is higher for grade attainment than school attendance. |
| Keywords: | Schooling; Child Labour; Logit; Bangladesh |
| JEL: | J13 I21 C25 O12 |
| Date: | 2005–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:9397&r=cwa |
| By: | Al-Amin, Abul Quasem; Siwar, Chamhuri; Jaafar, Abdul hamid |
| Abstract: | This paper examines the impacts of external price shocks in the Malaysian economy. There are three simulations are carried out with different degrees of external shocks using Malaysian Social Accounting Matrix (SAM) and Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) analysis. The model results indicate that the import price shocks, better known as external price shocks by 15% decreases the domestic production of building and construction sector by 25.87%, hotels, restaurants and entertainment sector by 12.04%, industry sector by 12.02%, agriculture sector by 11.01%, and electricity and gas sector by 9.55% from the baseline. On the import side, our simulation results illustrate that as a result of the import price shocks by 15%, imports decreases significantly in all sectors from base level. Among the scenarios, the largest negative impacts goes on industry sectors by 29.67% followed by building and construction sector by 22.42%, hotels, restaurants and entertainment sector by 19.45%, electricity and gas sector by 13.%, agriculture sector by 12.63% and other service sectors by 11.17%. However significant negative impact goes to the investment and fixed capital investment. It also causes the household income, household consumption and household savings down and increases the cost of livings in the economy results in downward social welfare. |
| Keywords: | External Price Shocks; Applied General Equilibrium Analysis; Malaysian economy |
| JEL: | F0 F1 |
| Date: | 2008–07–25 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:9308&r=cwa |
| By: | Pillai N., Vijayamohanan; Alkire, Sabina |
| Abstract: | There is considerable synergy among those working on the capability approach and also those within poverty reduction, to identify stronger ways of measuring capabilities and to improve multidimensional poverty comparisons. The present study is an outcome of a collaborative research initiative by Centre for Development Studies (CDS), Kerala and Harvard University and focuses on three questions, viz., (i) how accurately do certain indicators of freedom capture agency or self-determination? (ii) how do we compare multidimensional poverty vectors that include freedoms? (iii) can we develop capability measures – and analytical tools – that can be used by NGOs and small organizations rather than only large institutions? The study specifically attempts to use Ryan and Deci measure of autonomy, which has the unique benefit of seeming to apply in both individualist and collectivist cultures, on the data obtained on the process of empowerment of groups of women in the context of the State-sponsored ‘Kudumbasree’ programme in Kerala. |
| Keywords: | Capability; Agency; Empowerment; Kerala; Kudumbasree; |
| JEL: | D63 C43 I32 |
| Date: | 2007–04–20 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:9289&r=cwa |
| By: | Lubna Hasan (Pakistan Institute of Development Economics, Islamabad) |
| Abstract: | This paper explores the concept of city ranking as a way to measure the dynamics and complexities of urban life. These rankings have various dimensions and uses. Both the context in which these rankings are done and their nature have changed considerably over time. These rankings face many methodological and measurement problems. A review of major city rankings and the related literature is carried out to suggest a framework for the ranking of Pakistani cities. |
| Keywords: | Quality of Life, Cities, Urbanisation |
| JEL: | R12 O18 R23 |
| Date: | 2008 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pid:wpaper:2008:46&r=cwa |