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on Central and Western Asia |
| By: | Kalirajan, Kaliappa (Asian Development Bank Institute) |
| Abstract: | Growth led by low-carbon goods and services (LCGS) is an imperative for the countries of Asia and the Pacific, and particularly for emerging Asian economies, which are heavily dependent on imported energy and resources. The objectives of this study are to (i) measure the potential of major emerging Asian economies for exports in LCGS under the "grand coalition," partial coalition, and stand-alone scenarios; (ii) measure the impact of existing "behind the border" constraints on potential exports in emerging Asian economies; (iii) identify the potential, options, and challenges with respect to a grand coalition scenario; and (iv) find ways to improve the contribution of public–private partnerships to LCGS. |
| Keywords: | low carbon goods services; emerging asian economies; energy; public private partnerships; trade environment; green growth |
| JEL: | Q56 Q58 R11 |
| Date: | 2012–04–11 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ris:adbiwp:0350&r=cwa |
| By: | Raihan, Selim |
| Abstract: | This paper shows that there are significant prospects of rise in intra-regional trade among the four Eastern South Asian countries. The partial equilibrium modelling exercise helps identify the products with high export potentiality. Simulation exercise based on a global general equilibrium model suggests that though there are prospects of welfare gains for India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, there are risks of welfare loss for Bangladesh and other LDCs in South Asia out of FTA in goods under the SAFTA agreement because of the fact that the trade diversion effects could be larger than trade creation effects for these countries. However, such welfare loss could be well compensated by the rise in welfare due to improvement in trade facilitation among the South Asian countries. It also appears that the gains from trade facilitation are much bigger than the gains from trade liberalisation. Interactions with the stakeholders in Bangladesh helped identify a number of factors which are constraining trade in Eastern South Asia sub-region. These include inadequate facilities at the land and sea ports, weak physical infrastructure, inefficient bureaucracy, corruption and several forms of NTBs. Removal of such trade barriers though improvement in trade facilitation measures will generate significant rise in trade among these countries. |
| Keywords: | Economic Corridor; Market Access; Trade Facilitation; SAFTA |
| JEL: | F15 C68 F17 |
| Date: | 2011–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:37883&r=cwa |
| By: | Frank Packer; Haibin Zhu |
| Abstract: | In the wake of the Asian financial crisis, many regimes in Asia adopted stricter provisioning requirements, as well as discretionary measures, with the objective of increasing provisioning in good times in response to rising levels of risk. Based on a final sample of 240 banks in 12 Asian economies, the evidence is that countercyclical loan loss provisioning has dominated throughout emerging Asia, most strikingly so in the case of India. Thus, loan loss provisioning did not simply become more conservative at all points in time subsequent to the Asian financial crisis, but actively leaned in a fashion that ameliorated swings in earnings and the macroeconomy. |
| Keywords: | Loan loss provisioning, financial system procyclicality, international accounting standards, earnings smoothing, macroprudential policy |
| Date: | 2012–04 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:bis:biswps:375&r=cwa |
| By: | Laurent Weill (LaRGE Research Center, Université de Strasbourg); Christophe Godlewski (LaRGE Research Center, Université de Strasbourg) |
| Abstract: | This paper examines the motivations for large firms to choose an Islamic loan over a conventional loan and the recent expansion of Islamic finance activities. We employ a dataset of Islamic and conventional syndicated loans from countries in the Middle East and Southeast Asia for the period 2001-2009, testing determinants for the choice of an Islamic loan at the facility, firm, and country level. From the lenders standpoint, loan characteristics apparently do not influence the decision to offer Islamic loans, nor are they rationed to borrowers in terms of maturity or amount. Moreover, firms taking Islamic loans do not appear to differ in terms of default risk from firms taking conventional loans. We identify three country-level determinants as potential driving forces expanding the preference for Islamic loans. The strongest determinant is religiosity, i.e. the share of Muslim population in a country, but the quality of institutions and level of financial development also play substantial roles. |
| Keywords: | Islamic banks, loans. |
| JEL: | G21 G32 O16 |
| Date: | 2012 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:lar:wpaper:2012-05&r=cwa |
| By: | Shabbir, Safia |
| Abstract: | Using data of non-financial listed firms over a period of 1999-2010, this paper investigates the effectiveness of balance sheet channel in monetary transmission mechanism in Pakistan. By classifying firms as SME and large, this paper finds a strong evidence for the existence of net worth channel in Pakistan. A tight monetary policy worsens the net worth of both the SME and large firms, with SME getting more hit thereby further affecting their cash flows, short-term borrowing, and revenues. |
| Keywords: | Monetary Policy; Monetary Transmission; Firm; Models with Panel Data |
| JEL: | E52 E50 C33 H32 |
| Date: | 2012–04–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:37862&r=cwa |
| By: | A. Talha Yalta; Hatice Cakar |
| Date: | 2012–04 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:tob:wpaper:1202&r=cwa |
| By: | Atanda, Akinwande A.; Aminu, Salaudeen B.; Alimi, Olorunfemi Y. |
| Abstract: | The precise relationship between population growth and per capita income has been inconclusive in the literature and the nexus has been found not clearly explain the determinants of rapid population growth in developing countries that lacks fertility control and management framework. This forms the rationale for this study to access the trend of factors that influence rapid population growth in developing countries between 1980 and 2010. This paper examined the comparative trend review of population growth determinants between developing countries (Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Mexico and Nigeria) and developed nations (Germany and United States). The trend analysis revealed that fertility rate, crude death rate, birth rate, mortality rate, and life expectancy are the major determinants of rapid population growth rate, while youth dependency ratio of young people below age 15 has also been attributed as one of the leading causes of population growth and growth threat in developing countries. However, the analysis further indicated that excluding Mexico from the Upper Middle Income group, developed economies (United State and Germany) with large population size have a higher real economic well-being as measured by the Real GNI per capita, compared with selected developing economies in the world. The study then proffered the need for population control framework and provision of essential infrastructures for the rapid growing population size in developing countries in order to enhance their welfare. |
| Keywords: | Population Growth; Income Growth; Health Status; Fertility; Mortality; Developing Countries; Developed Nations; Income Group |
| JEL: | O1 I0 C40 D60 O4 |
| Date: | 2012–03–04 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:37966&r=cwa |
| By: | Barrientos, Armando (Asian Development Bank Institute) |
| Abstract: | Rapid population ageing and economic transformation in Asia raise the policy challenge of ensuring income security in old age. The main objective of this paper is to explore the potential role of social pensions and other noncontributory schemes in Asia, informed by insights from theory and international experience. The paper identifies alternative forms of providing income security in old age, including social pensions. It also examines the welfare effects of adopting alternative social pension designs, especially around two key policy nodes: the comparative advantages of social assistance and social pensions, and the integration of noncontributory transfers within advanced contributory pension schemes. |
| Keywords: | social pensions; population ageing; asia; social assistance; noncontributory transfers; contributory pension schemes |
| JEL: | H55 I38 J14 J32 O17 |
| Date: | 2012–04–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ris:adbiwp:0351&r=cwa |
| By: | Florence Bonnet (International Labour Office, Social Security Department); Catherine Saget (International Labour Office, Economic and Labour Market Analysis Department); Axel Weber |
| Abstract: | Using data from standardized questionnaires on 77 countries, this document reviews policy response to the global crisis that was initiated in 2008, in the area of social protection. The most prevalent measure consists of changes to existing schemes, while few new schemes were initiated in the wake of the crisis. Partial unemployment systems have also been used outside Europe in emerging economies. Pension schemes were reformed in one-third of countries, at various stages of development. Middle-income countries more frequently expanded conditional cash transfers, while in low-income countries, the bulk of the protection concerns food subsidies. In terms of spending, automatic stabilizers, designed to mechanically cover more people in difficult times, represent a higher share of GDP than new programmes. Austerity measures were recorded in 10 per cent of countries. Regarding financing, 25 countries introduced or extended reductions in social security contributions, including 9 on a permanent basis. The document also reviews changes in the minimum wage. Almost half the countries in the sample increased their minimum wages during the period as a way of protecting purchasing power, a significant departure from previous crises’ trends. |
| Keywords: | social protection / social security / minimum wage / unemployment benefit / economic recession / developed countries / developing countries |
| Date: | 2012 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ilo:emwpap:2012-113&r=cwa |
| By: | Bashir, Muhammad Khalid; Schilizzi, Steven; Pandit, Ram |
| Abstract: | Pakistan is one of the leading producers of important agricultural commodities in the world with a relatively high proportion of undernourished population (26 %). This study aims to examine the food security trends in Pakistan in general, and to find out the household level food security and its key determinants in the rural areas of the Punjab Province in particular. Both secondary and primary data were used. Secondary data were obtained from Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), World Bank and Government of Pakistan’s data sources. Primary data were collected from 1152 households in 12 districts of the Punjab province using questionnaire survey. The analysis was done in two phases i.e. (Phase-A) identification of food security trends, at national level and (Phase-B) household food security and its determinants. For Phase-A, graphical representations are produced and for Phase-B primary data were analyzed in two further stages. In stage one the food security status of households was calculated using the calorie intake method. The second stage focused on identifying the socio-economic factors affecting food security using the logistic regression. The secondary data revealed that Pakistan is a food sufficient as well as food secure country at the national level. But at the household level 23 percent of the sample households were measured to be food insecure. Econometric analysis revealed that monthly income, livestock assets, joint family system and education levels (middle, intermediate and graduation) were positively impacting the rural household food security. On the other hand, greater household heads’ age and family size had negative impacts on household food security. It is suggested that income generating opportunities needs to be created along with improvements in secondary and technical education systems, and family planning programs to alleviate food insecurity in the study region. |
| Keywords: | Food security, rural households, logistic regression, Punjab, Pakistan, Agricultural and Food Policy, Community/Rural/Urban Development, Consumer/Household Economics, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, Food Security and Poverty, I30, Q18 and R20., |
| Date: | 2012–03–28 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:uwauwp:122526&r=cwa |
| By: | Douglas Gollin; David Lagakos; Michael E. Waugh |
| Date: | 2011 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ste:nystbu:11-14&r=cwa |
| By: | Parlow, Anton |
| Abstract: | The experience of the Kashmir insurgency is used, to assess the impact of this armed conflict on educational outcomes of girls and boys who were of school age during the 90's. Girls and boys who went to primary and secondary schools in urban areas of Kashmir during 1990 and 1996 are affected the most by the insurgency. I compare their outcomes to women and men who finished their schooling before 1990 and girls and boys living in less affected regions of Jammu and Kashmir. Girls in urban Kashmir have up to 3.5 years less schooling compared to girls less affected by the violence. Boys and girls more affected by violence are less likely to complete their primary schooling, as well as enroll less in primary schooling, compared to boys and girls less-affected by the insurgency. Secondary education is not affected negatively by the insurgency. The results remain qualitatively robust once accounting for migration, different age cohorts, a different identification of Kashmiri and continuous measurements of violence. The first phase of the insurgency has a negative impact on education, especially for girls in primary schools. Literacy and employment programs should be designed to target these women. |
| Keywords: | Armed Conflicts; Education; Households |
| JEL: | D12 F51 O12 |
| Date: | 2011–12–31 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:38010&r=cwa |
| By: | Wadho, Waqar Ahmed |
| Abstract: | Empirical evidence suggests that natural resources breed corruption and reduce educational attainments, dampening economic growth. The theoretical literature has treated these two channels separately, with natural resources affecting growth either through human capital or corruption. In this paper, we argue that education and corruption are jointly determined and depend on the endowment of natural resources. Natural resources affect the incentives to invest in education and rent seeking that in turn affect growth. Whether natural resources stimulate growth or induce a poverty-trap crucially depends on inequality in access to education and political participation, as well as on the cost of political participation. For lower inequality and higher cost of political participation, a high-growth and a poverty-trap equilibrium co-exist even with abundant natural resources. |
| Keywords: | Natural resources; Resource curse; Growth; Human capital; Rent-seeking; Corruption |
| JEL: | O11 O41 O13 J24 D72 |
| Date: | 2011–06–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:37831&r=cwa |
| By: | Mariya Melnychuk (Dpto. Fundamentos del Análisis Económico) |
| Date: | 2012–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ivi:wpasad:2012-08&r=cwa |
| By: | Stopnitzky, Yaniv |
| Abstract: | Female bargaining power in rural Haryana, as in much of northern India, is constrained by widespread discrimination against women. In recent years, however, women successfully demand private sanitation facilities from potential husbands as a precondition for marriage. I study this manifestation of bargaining power by modeling latrine adoption as an investment that males can make to improve their desirability on the marriage market, and I show that increasing proportions of females with strong sanitation preferences drive male investment in toilets. Moreover, I demonstrate women’s ability to secure latrines increases when they are relatively scarce in a marriage market. I test these predictions empirically by studying a sanitation program in Haryana, India, known colloquially as “No Toilet, No Bride”. Using a triple difference empirical strategy based on households with and without marriageable boys, in Haryana and comparison states, before and after program exposure, I provide evidence that male investment in sanitation increased by 15% due to the program. Further, the program effect is four times larger in marriage markets where women are scarce (26%) as compared to marriage markets where women are abundant (6%). These results suggest the relative scarcity of women in Haryana has, conditional on women surviving to marriageable age, improved the ability of the remaining women to secure valuable goods. |
| Keywords: | intrahousehold bargaining; marriage market; sex ratio; sanitation; India |
| JEL: | Q5 O13 J12 D1 O12 |
| Date: | 2012–02–15 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:37841&r=cwa |
| By: | Irina Tochitskaya |
| Abstract: | The report evaluates progress achieved in implementation of structural reforms of the transport sector in Azerbaijan in the following subsectors: railways, road transport and roads, air transport and airports, maritime transport and ports. It presents standardized and qualitative indicators that assess the level of the transport sector reforms in three areas: 1) commercialization and privatization, 2) tariff policy, and 3) institutional and regulatory changes. The aggregated index is calculated on the basis of the 21 indicators that reflects the status of the reforms in each sector at a period under review. |
| Keywords: | Transportation analysis, Transition economies, Reform |
| JEL: | L91 L92 L93 R4 O18 P21 |
| Date: | 2012 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:sec:cnrepo:0107&r=cwa |