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on Central and Western Asia |
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Issue of 2022‒12‒19
three papers chosen by |
| By: | Azhgaliyeva, Dina (Asian Development Bank Institute); Mishra, Ranjeeta (Asian Development Bank Institute); Long, Trinh (Asian Development Bank Institute); Morgan, Peter (Asian Development Bank Institute); Kodama, Wataru (Asian Development Bank Institute) |
| Abstract: | The impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak have heavily affected Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) member countries, which include Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, Pakistan, the People’s Republic of China (PRC), Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. The COVID-19 crisis and the resulting falls in demand and supply due both to uncertainty and policy measures such as lockdowns, “social distancing,” and travel restrictions are having a severe impact on employment and education in CAREC member countries. In order to better understand these impacts, computer-assisted telephone interviews (CATI) of households were conducted in 10 countries from the CAREC region (excluding the PRC). We estimate the impact of COVID-19 on employment, household business and education in schools in December 2020 compared with June 2020. |
| Keywords: | COVID-19; Central Asia; household survey; school education; employment; family business |
| JEL: | D14 G51 H12 H84 I10 I24 |
| Date: | 2022–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ris:adbiwp:1335&r= |
| By: | Karymshakov, Kamalbek (Asian Development Bank Institute); Azhgaliyeva, Dina (Asian Development Bank Institute); Mishra, Ranjeeta (Asian Development Bank Institute); Aseinov, Dastan (Asian Development Bank Institute) |
| Abstract: | We examine economic activity measured with firm performance indicators using the changes in intensity of night-time light in four Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation economies: Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, and Mongolia. The empirical analysis is based on the World Bank Enterprise Survey data for 2019 and a follow-up survey conducted during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. The enterprise survey dataset was enhanced with data on night-time light intensity from Google Earth and the strictness of “lockdown-style” policies. Using the probit regression model, we investigate the impact of COVID-19 on firm performance and night-time light in CAREC countries. Firm performance is measured using four variables: decrease in sales, demand, export share, and working hours. Our results show that, as the night-time light increases, the likelihood of performance deterioration is reduced. Larger firms are more likely to maintain their performance than smaller firms. The sales in the manufacturing, clothing, and services sectors are more likely to decline than those in the food sector. Accordingly, the results point to a significant decline in the performance of firms operating in the service sector compared with those in the food sector during the pandemic. |
| Keywords: | Central Asia; COVID-19; big data; firm performance; gender; SMEs |
| JEL: | C13 C25 C55 L25 |
| Date: | 2022–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ris:adbiwp:1332&r= |
| By: | Margaryan, Atom; Grigoryan, Emil; Minassian, Armen |
| Abstract: | The Belt and Road Initiative is one of the platforms for regional cooperation that enables participating countries to develop and deepen economic ties. The South Caucasus has always had great historical, political, geographical and economic significance for Iran. Through the research, we tried to find out what is the level of infrastructure development of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Türkiye and Iran, and what is the role of Iran in the trade of South Caucasus countries and Türkiye in 2002 and 2021. Armenia-Iran economic relations have been the closest. However, Armenia and Iran have not realized the full potential of cooperation. Providing a proper infrastructural base is one of the priority steps in that direction. |
| Keywords: | Silk Road Economic Belt,Economic Cooperation,Infrastructure,South Caucasus,Iran,Transit Hub,Economic Corridors |
| Date: | 2022 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:opodis:202212&r= |