|
on South East Asia |
| By: | Rene E. OFRENEO (School of Labor and Industrial Relations, University of the Philippines, Diliman) |
| Abstract: | The Philippines pioneered the establishment of automotive assembly in Southeast Asia in the 1950s. But Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia lead the region since the 1990s. The foremost reasons for the decline are policy incoherence and unchecked inflows of smuggled cars, which is reflected in the erosion of the domestic automotive components supply base. Japanese assemblers are increasingly sourcing them from abroad through global production networks (GPNs, which has also made the Philippines a global producer of selected auto parts. Institutional support is necessary for the Philippines to take advantage of GPNs to catching up with the leading countries. |
| Keywords: | automotive, global production networks, comparative advantage, supply chain |
| JEL: | L62 L22 L14 O31 |
| Date: | 2015–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:era:wpaper:dp-2015-09&r=sea |
| By: | MASUJIMA Yuki |
| Abstract: | This paper attempts to estimate the quarterly equilibrium exchange rates (EER) of nine Asian currencies (Japan, China, Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Philippines) with the Behavioral Equilibrium Exchange Rates (BEER) from 2006 to 2014. The BEER was compared with the Fundamental Equilibrium Exchange Rates (FEER) published biannually by the Peterson Institute for International Economics. While four Asian currencies tend to be undervalued in the Peterson's FEER approach, the assessment of Asian currencies changed over time in this paper's BEER approach, which captures the Crowther's theory about the development of balance of payments over the long term. Results imply that the BEER approach is imperative for the assessment of Asian currencies, while the equilibrium level of BEER is sometimes sensible for the change of a sample period. Lessons from the results indicate that the EER of countries that shift to a more matured stage, such as Japan and emerging Asia, needs to be frequently assessed by a multi-method so that policy makers can implement appropriate coordination of exchange rate policies for the integration of Asian economies. |
| Date: | 2015–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:eti:dpaper:15038&r=sea |
| By: | Nabeshima, Kaoru; Michida, Etsuyo; Vu, Hoang Nam; Suzuki, Aya |
| Abstract: | Global G.A.P. is a one of the most influential private standards in the area of food safety and sustainability. With increasing impacts of Global G.A.P., many Asian countries have introduced the country versions of GAPs; China GAP, Japan GAP, Viet GAP, Thai GAP and ASEAN GAP. Each has been influenced by Global G.A.P. but ways of implementation, implementation bodies as well as focus differ from each other. This paper examines the development and motivation behind how the Asian GAPs have been introduced both from current situation and from historical perspectives. Then we compare current situation of different Asian GAPs. |
| Keywords: | Vietnam, Japan, Agricultural policy, Agricultural products, Agriculture, Food, Good agriculture practice, Quality standards |
| JEL: | L15 Q17 Q18 |
| Date: | 2015–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:jet:dpaper:dpaper507&r=sea |
| By: | Hideo KOBAYASHI (Research Institute Auto Parts Industries, Waseda University); Yingshan JIN (Research Institute Auto Parts Industries, Waseda University) |
| Abstract: | To begin, consider the general economic characteristics of Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Viet Nam, collectively known as the CLMV countries. These countries joined ASEAN relatively late and are economically less developed than the original members. According to the World Bank (2012), Viet Nam’s GDP stood at US$155.8 billion in 2012, Myanmar’s is estimated to be around US$50 billion, Cambodia at US$ 14.04 billion, and Lao PDR at US$9.41 billion. Therefore, these countries can be labelled as developing countries. This is also reflected in their gross domestic product (GDP) per capita. While Viet Nam and Lao PDR have roughly around US$1,500, that of Cambodia and Myanmar are below US$1,000 and therefore among the least developed countries. More than 20 years after the end of the civil war, Cambodia still has not made a lot of progress in the economic sphere. Under the military junta, Myanmar’s economy also stagnated but with the gradual democratization process, the country is receiving foreign direct investment (FDI) and appears to slowly move towards improving its economic status. However, while all these countries are on the path towards market economy and are strengthening their trade relations with Western countries, the common characteristic is that these countries’ economic relations are strongly linked to the United States, China, South Korea, and Thailand. Indeed, while the presence of the US, neighbouring countries China and Thailand, as well as Korea especially in Myanmar, Lao PDR, and Cambodia is striking, economic relations with Japan are marginal. |
| Keywords: | AEC2015, CLMV, automotive industry |
| JEL: | L62 |
| Date: | 2015–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:era:wpaper:dp-2015-23&r=sea |
| By: | Rajah RASIAH (Development Studies Department, University of Malaya); Rafat Beigpoor SHAHRIVAR (Development Studies Department, University of Malaya); Abdusy Syakur AMIN (Facutlty of Engineering, University of Pasundan) |
| Abstract: | This study analyses the influence of host-site institutional support, foreign ownership and regional production linkages on firm-level technological capabilities using data from automotive firms in Indonesia. The results show that host-site institutional support and foreign ownership are positively correlated with technological capabilities. In addition, regional linkages show a significant and positive link on technological capabilities. However, regional linkages and foreign ownership explain more strongly technological capabilities than host-site institutional support in automotive firms in Indonesia. This evidence suggests that the supporting high tech environment require further strengthening to stimulate higher technological capabilities in the automotive industry in Indonesia. |
| Keywords: | automotive firms, institutional support, Indonesia, regional linkages, technological capabilities |
| JEL: | L62 L22 L14 O31 |
| Date: | 2015–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:era:wpaper:dp-2015-08&r=sea |
| By: | Patarapong INTERAKUMNERD (Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS), Tokyo, Japan); Kriengkrai TECHAKANONT (Faculty of Economics, Thammasat University, Thailand) |
| Abstract: | Thailand’s automotive industry has evolved from a small importsubstituting industry to a vibrant exporting one. It has contributed significantly and increasingly to the economy and intra-industry trade in Southeast Asia. The country also has experienced ‘qualitative’ change from simple production to technologically sophisticated activities. The evidence amassed illustrates that firm strategy and collaboration with other actors in the national innovation system were the most important drivers of technological upgrading in the industry. Local automotive part suppliers in particular had to become ‘active’ learners by collaborating with other partners beyond their own multinational buyers to compete in export markets. |
| Keywords: | automotive, host-site institutions, intra-industry trade, Thailand technology |
| Date: | 2015–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:era:wpaper:dp-2015-10&r=sea |
| By: | Hendrix, Cullen (Korbel School of International Studies, University of Denver); Noland, Marcus (Peterson Institute for International Economics) |
| Abstract: | Since 2010, Myanmar has been in the midst of a multifaceted transition, involving economic reforms, the resolution of multiple long-standing civil conflicts, and a nascent transition to democratic rule. These transitions are coinciding with a resource-led economic boom. The paper assesses the current status of governance institutions, as well as their performance, in comparison to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and selected other countries. Specifically, the paper discusses outstanding problem areas related to economic governance, particularly in the legal system, the business regulatory framework, and in bureaucratic capacity as well as the potential use of external policy anchors, particularly in the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) process, to strengthen Myanmar’s ongoing reform effort. |
| Keywords: | economic reform; governance; Myanmar; peace process; property rights; resource curse |
| JEL: | D72 D73 N45 P28 |
| Date: | 2015–03–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ris:adbewp:0428&r=sea |
| By: | Higashikata, Takayuki; Kawamura, Koichi |
| Abstract: | In this study, we examine the voting behavior in Indonesian parliamentary elections from 1999 to 2014. After summarizing the changes in Indonesian parties' share of the vote from a historical standpoint, we investigate the voting behavior with simple regression models to analyze the effect of regional characteristics on Islamic/secular parties' vote share, using aggregated panel data at the district level. Then, we also test the hypothesis of retrospective economic voting. The results show that districts which formerly stood strongly behind Islamic parties continued to select those parties, or gave preference to abstention over the parties in some elections. From the point of view of retrospective economic voting, we found that districts which experienced higher per capita economic growth gave more support to the ruling parties, although our results remain tentative because information on 2014 is not yet available. |
| Keywords: | Indonesia, Elections, Political parties, Politics, Religion, Election, Political party, Voting behavior, Electoral volatility, Effective number of parties, Religious cleavage voting, Retrospective economic voting |
| JEL: | D72 |
| Date: | 2015–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:jet:dpaper:dpaper512&r=sea |
| By: | Nyo, Myat Khet |
| Abstract: | The paper explores the potential impact of regional economic integration on Myanmar, a country that has suffered from more than 20 years of Western sanctions. The country’s accession into the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) offered economic and trading opportunities, while the regional body arguably catalysed a regime change. Now, realization of the ASEAN Economic Community is challenging Myanmar. Having a low-skilled and poorly educated workforce with inadequate infrastructure, Myanmar must strive harder than other ASEAN Member States to narrow the regional inequality gaps. Improving skills among the labour force and in prioritized sectors of the economy, as well as strengthening the formal education system, will be critical if Myanmar is to compete. Improving infrastructure, such as electricity, roads and information communication technology, is equally salient. These measures must be coupled with effective institutions for social security and insurance, labour relations and business social responsibility. Narrowing inequality is a long-term project with an urgent start for Myanmar – the latecomer to growth. |
| Keywords: | labour market, interindustry shift, employment, decent work, productivity, economic integration, regional cooperation, Myanmar, marché du travail, mutation interindustrielle, emploi, travail décent, productivité, intégration économique, coopération régionale, Myanmar, mercado de trabajo, desplazamiento industrial, empleo, trabajo decente, productividad, integración económica, cooperación regional, Myanmar |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ilo:ilowps:487274&r=sea |
| By: | Patarapong INTARAKUMNERD (Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS), Tokyo, Japan); Pun-Arj CHAIRATANA (Noviscape Consulting Group, Bangkok, Thailand); Preeda CHAYANAJIT (Noviscape Consulting Group, Bangkok, Thailand) |
| Abstract: | Although Thailand’s electronics industry has been considered as one of strategic sectors, the evidence in this article shows that it is dominated by midstream and downstream activities. Despite accounting for a quarter of electronics exports, semiconductors manufacturing is confined to low value added activities. The lack of industrial policy has restricted technological upgrading in the industry. Upgrading efforts made by both public and private initiatives have so far failed. The case studies show that firms in Thailand must acquire and develop technological capabilities to stimulate the industry’s transformation from low to high value added activities. |
| Keywords: | intra-industry trade, semiconductors, technological capabilities, Thailand, upstream industry |
| JEL: | L62 L22 L14 O31 |
| Date: | 2015–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:era:wpaper:dp-2015-18&r=sea |
| By: | Yoshino, Naoyuki (Asian Development Bank Institute); Kaji, Sahoko (Asian Development Bank Institute); Asonuma, Tamon (Asian Development Bank Institute) |
| Abstract: | This paper discusses adjustments of capital account restrictions and exchange rate regimes in East Asia. Monetary authorities have two options for these adjustments: gradual adjustments or rapid adjustments. We analyze the costs and benefits for both adjustment options in each area, i.e., capital account restrictions and exchange rate regime. The paper provides prominent country cases for each adjustment option to emphasize the benefits for policymakers. We then propose four transition policy options for East Asian countries aiming to relax capital account restrictions and increase flexibility in exchange rates from fixed regimes with capital account controls. |
| Keywords: | exchange rate transition; east asia; capital account controls; exchange rate transition policies |
| JEL: | F33 F41 F42 |
| Date: | 2015–04–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ris:adbiwp:0518&r=sea |
| By: | Rajah Rasiah (Department of Development Studies, University of Malaya); Yap Xiao SHAN (Department of Development Studies, University of Malaya) |
| Abstract: | This article examines the relationships between host-site institutional support and firm-level technological upgrading, and between technological upgrading and domestic production linkages in the semiconductor industry in Singapore. An evolutionary perspective was used to measure technological capabilities using knowledge embodied in machinery, organization, processes and products. The results show that host-site institutional support is important for technological upgrading and technological capabilities are positively correlated with domestic linkages. Also, domestic linkages rather than regional linkages were correlated with technological upgrading, which is a consequence of Singapore’s sophisticated infrastructure compared to its neighbours in Southeast Asia. |
| Keywords: | domestic production linkages, institutional support, semiconductors, Singapore, technological capabilities |
| JEL: | L62 L22 L14 O31 |
| Date: | 2015–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:era:wpaper:dp-2015-17&r=sea |
| By: | World Bank; Asian Development Bank |
| Keywords: | Finance and Financial Sector Development - Microfinance Finance and Financial Sector Development - Access to Finance Private Sector Development - Emerging Markets Private Sector Development - E-Business Environmental Economics Policies Environment |
| Date: | 2015–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wboper:21529&r=sea |
| By: | durongkaveroj, wannaphong |
| Abstract: | Economic integration is nowadays likely to be larger in major economies around the world, especially among the ten active countries in the Southeast Asia. The purpose of this study is to investigate the impacts of the possible trade agreement between the ASEAN and its current FTA partners as RCEP, Turkey, and Pakistan through Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) model using Global Trade Analysis Project (GTAP) model. This study reveals that most of the ASEAN member countries is positively affected under various trade bloc on their GDP, export, import, and regional household income. However, there is the difference in the level of gains among all members which leads to an urgent responsibility to create an inclusive growth. |
| Keywords: | AEC; FTA; RCEP; Trade liberalization; CGE model; GTAP model |
| JEL: | C68 F0 F1 F15 F5 |
| Date: | 2015–03–21 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:63421&r=sea |
| By: | Anita K Zonebia (Department of Economics, Padjadjaran University); Arief Anshory Yusuf (Department of Economics, Padjadjaran University); Heriyaldi (Department of Economics, Padjadjaran University) |
| Abstract: | Level of economic development has been found to be among the strongest determinants of corruption level in cross-country studies. Those studies use income per capita as a measure of level of development and found that higher level of corruption is associated with lower level of income. We argue that, at any given income level, education is also a very important determinant of the level of corruption and failing to include education may bias or over-estimate the importance of income. We estimated an empirical model of individual’s attitude toward anti-corruption using a large sample of 9,020 individuals that represent Indonesian population and find that the effect of income (proxied by expenditure) is either weakened or eliminated when we control for the level of education. The effect of education is also found to exhibit a non-linear pattern which implies that investing in education will have increasing returns in the form of anti-corruption attitude. This finding supports the view that increasing access to education is an effective measure of reducing corruption norms particularly in developing countries. |
| Keywords: | Corruption, Anti-corruption, development, Indonesia |
| JEL: | D73 |
| Date: | 2015–04 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:unp:wpaper:201502&r=sea |
| By: | NGUYEN Dinh Chuc; NGUYEN Dinh Anh (Vietnam Central Institute of Economic Management); NGUYEN Ha Trang; NGUYEN Ngoc Minh (Development and Policies Research Center) |
| Abstract: | Using technological capabilities that take account of technology embodied in machinery, organization, processes and products, this article examines its link with host-site institutions and regional production linkages. The statistical results show no relationship between these variables. In-depth interviews complement the quantitative findings. Overall, the result show that the government’s localization efforts failed because too many joint-venture assemblers were approved in the 1990s when the domestic market was small. The lack of economies of scale also affected the growth of national suppliers. Hence, national producers are confined to low value added segments and lack the quality to compete in export markets |
| Keywords: | automotive, investment, regional production linkages, technological capabilities, Vietnam |
| JEL: | L62 L22 L14 O31 |
| Date: | 2015–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:era:wpaper:dp-2015-11&r=sea |
| By: | Tang, Chor Foon |
| Abstract: | Policymakers in the developed and developing countries already heading toward medical tourism to stimulate economic growth. Nonetheless, the actual impact of medical tourism on economic growth remains ambiguous. Although medical tourism may spur economic growth via its impact on foreign currency earnings, investments, tax revenue, and employment opportunities, it may also leave numerous negative externalities that either direct or indirectly harmful the process of economic growth. Undeniably, the effectiveness of relying on medical tourism to ignite long-term economic growth is remains as a vital research question. Therefore, this study attempts to address the question by assessing the effectiveness of medical tourism in stimulating long-term Malaysia’s economic growth through a well-established neoclassical growth model and a set of advanced time series econometric approaches. The key findings of this study are that medical tourism has significant positive impact on Malaysia’s economic growth in the long-run. Furthermore, we find that medical tourism Granger-cause economic growth and it is also relatively the most important factor in explaining the variation of Malaysia’s economic growth, especially in the long-run. |
| Keywords: | Economic growth; Malaysia; Medical tourism |
| JEL: | C32 O11 |
| Date: | 2015–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:63365&r=sea |
| By: | Nanda NURRIDZKI (University of Indonesia) |
| Abstract: | The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is a new regional integration initiative intended to achieve a modern, comprehensive, high-quality, and mutually beneficial economic partnership agreement among the ASEAN Member States (AMSs) and ASEAN’s FTA Partners. The RCEP initiative was announced by the ASEAN Leaders in November 2011 during the 19th ASEAN Summit. It is believed that this ASEANled process will enable ASEAN to broaden and deepen its economic engagements with its FTA partners. The RCEP will enhance access to a huge potential market, bringing benefits to both businesses and consumers in the participating countries. The agreement is between 16 countries, which make up 45 percent of world population and contribute a third of the world’s GDP in total. The RCEP should lead to greater economic integration, support equitable economic development, and strengthen economic cooperation among the countries involved. In general, RCEP can be seen as regional economic integration in East Asia on a higher level. It is assumed that RCEP will produce a commitment from AMSs and all partners (although there are several possible exceptions). Commitments from the partners are also expected to be in conjunction with the commitments made with individual AMSs. Additionally, the commitments made under RCEP are supposed to be substantially better compared to the existing ASEAN+1 commitment. This technical note aims to support RCEP through a key point analysis of the current ASEAN+1 FTA agreements. This analysis is expected to become an input for policy on the baseline for RCEP negotiation in the area of investment. This technical note is composed of the following parts: 1) a narrative on the background, which is then followed by an account of the evolution of IGA, AIA, and ACIA1 ; 2) a discussion on the progress of the ASEAN+1 FTA Agreements on Investments; and 3) the reservation lists in the ACIA. The note ends with a brief conclusion. |
| Keywords: | ASEAN, International Trade Agreements, FDI |
| JEL: | F13 F21 |
| Date: | 2015–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:era:wpaper:dp-2015-19&r=sea |
| By: | Gemma Estrada (Asian Development Bank); Marcus Noland (Peterson Institute for International Economics); Donghyun Park (Asian Development Bank); Arief Ramayandi (Asian Development Bank) |
| Abstract: | Developing Asia has exhibited rapid growth while saddled with relatively backward financial systems. One might conclude that the coexistence of sustained rapid growth and financial underdevelopment in developing Asia implies that an efficient financial sector is not indispensable for economic development. A more considered view would be that developing Asia grew rapidly despite, not because of, financial underdevelopment. With a stronger and better financial system, it might have grown even faster or achieved the same level of growth with lower savings and investment (and hence a lower cost in terms of forgone consumption). Strengthening the region's financial sectors was made more difficult by the global financial crisis, which gave financial development a bad name. However, in developing Asia financial sector development refers less to the introduction of esoteric products than to the more basic task of building efficient banks and capital markets. There is clearly a positive relationship between financial development and growth up to a certain level of financial development. Although it is possible that the relationship turns insignificant or even negative beyond some threshold, developing Asia is well short of that possible turning point. |
| Keywords: | Asia, financial development, financial inclusion, financial instability |
| JEL: | G18 G28 N25 O16 |
| Date: | 2015–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iie:wpaper:wp15-3&r=sea |
| By: | SATO Kiyotaka; SHIMIZU Junko; Nagendra SHRESTHA; Shajuan ZHANG |
| Abstract: | This study constructs a monthly series of industry-specific real effective exchange rates (I-REERs) based on the producer price indices of nine Asian economies from 2001 to 2014. To check the usefulness of the I-REERs as a measurement of international price competitiveness, we calculated the aggregated I-REER (Avg-I-REER) and compared it with the REER published by the Bank for International Settlements (BIS-REER). We found that in some Asian economies, the Avg-I-REER exhibited different movements from the BIS-REER due to the differences in the underlying prices and weights used for the data construction. We also conducted a panel analysis to investigate the effect of both the Avg-I-REER and BIS-REER on real exports in the nine Asian economies. It was revealed that an appreciation of the Avg-I-REER has a negative and significant impact on real exports, whereas that of the BIS-REER has a positive and insignificant influence on real exports. Even the "aggregated" I-REER shows a greater advantage when used for measuring the export price competitiveness relative to the conventional REERs. |
| Date: | 2015–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:eti:dpaper:15036&r=sea |
| By: | Rajah Rasiah (Department of Development Studies, University of Malaya); Yap Xiao SHAN (Department of Development Studies, University of Malaya) |
| Abstract: | This article examines the relationship between host-site institutional support and regional trade linkages on firm-level technological capabilities in the semiconductor industry in Malaysia. An evolutionary perspective was used to measure technological capabilities using knowledge embodied in machinery, organization, processes and products. The results show that host-site institutional support, and regional trade linkages were correlated with technological upgrading. The relationship between host-site institutional support and technological upgrading was stronger than that between regional trade linkages and technological upgrading. The results show that host site institutional support is more important than regional integration in influencing firms’ capacity to upgrade their technological capabilities. |
| Keywords: | institutional support, Malaysia, regional trade chains, semiconductors, technological capabilities |
| JEL: | L62 L22 L14 O31 |
| Date: | 2015–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:era:wpaper:dp-2015-16&r=sea |
| By: | Ajai Chopra (Peterson Institute for International Economics) |
| Abstract: | Growth in developing Asia will need to rely more on improvements in productivity growth and less on capital deepening. Although there is no single reform path to spur productivity growth, financial system deepening is central to a more efficient allocation of capital across sectors and can facilitate innovation and technology transfer. But malfunctioning financial systems can also result in the misallocation of resources, making it important that policymakers focus less on increasing the size of the financial sector and more on improving its intermediation function. The paper discusses the general policy priorities for further financial development in Asia based on financial sector realities in the region and the level of country income. Steps to mobilize Asia's ample private savings for long-term financing, especially to tackle the region's infrastructure deficit and improve access to financing for small and medium enterprises, can help raise productivity. Further, as many countries in Asia shift from a development model based on technology absorption to one that promotes innovation, specialized finance and investors can play a critical role in allowing innovative firms to conduct research, adopt technologies necessary for inventions, and ultimately commercialize innovations. |
| Keywords: | Asia, financial sector, productivity |
| JEL: | G21 G23 G24 G28 O30 O40 O53 |
| Date: | 2015–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iie:wpaper:wp15-6&r=sea |
| By: | Yoshifumi FUKUNAGA (Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia) |
| Abstract: | ASEAN has established mutual recognition arrangements (MRAs) on eight professional services. This paper assesses the progress of these arrangements’ paying special attention to the (i) regional and national implementation, (ii) national regulatory changes, and (iii) utilization of these frameworks and actual movement of these professionals in the region. MRAs on Architectural and Engineering Services have made steady progress, including the setting up of regional registration systems. This, however, has not resulted in a large-scale movement of these professionals for many reasons, such as existence of alternative legal schemes and small additional benefits of ASEAN MRAs. The ASEAN MRA on Nursing Services, without a regional registration system, has facilitated movement of nurses in only a few countries. Meanwhile, further efforts in advancing initiatives closely related to the movement of people are being made: ASEAN Agreement on the Movement of Natural Persons, ASEAN MRA on Accountancy Services, ASEAN MRA on Tourism Professionals, and the ASEAN Qualifications Reference Framework |
| Keywords: | ASEAN Economic Community, mutual recognition arrangement, movement of natural persons |
| JEL: | F13 F15 F16 |
| Date: | 2015–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:era:wpaper:dp-2015-21&r=sea |
| By: | Yoshifumi FUKUNAGA (Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia); Hikari ISHIDO (Faculty of Law, Politics and Economics, Chiba University) |
| Abstract: | ASEAN Economic Ministers signed the Agreement on the Movement of Natural Persons (MNP) in 2012. This is a new instrument potentially facilitating the free flow of goods, services, investment, and skilled labour, thus contributing to the establishment of an ASEAN single market and production base. The objective of this paper is to assess the benefits and limitations of this new instrument. The MNP Agreement is an independent Mode 4 services agreement. Actual commitments cover business visitors (seven ASEAN Member States, or AMSs), intra-corporate transferees (all the AMSs), and contractual services suppliers (three AMSs). In general, the commitments add value to predated agreements (namely, AFAS 8 and AANZFTA) for many AMSs in terms of wider sectoral coverage and/or new categories of commitment. However, the commitments vary widely across countries regarding sectoral coverage, committed categories of MNP, and lengths of initial periods of stay. A stand-alone MNP Agreement may result in Mode 4 commitments inconsistent with Mode 3 commitments. Furthermore, the current agreement does not cover non-services sectors at all. |
| Keywords: | ASEAN, movement of natural persons, AANZFTA, AFAS, GATS |
| JEL: | F13 F15 F16 |
| Date: | 2015–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:era:wpaper:dp-2015-20&r=sea |
| By: | Cerdan-Infantes,Pedro; Filmer,Deon P. |
| Abstract: | Improving education outcomes by disseminating information to parents and thereby encouraging them to become more actively engaged in school oversight is attractive, since it can be done relatively cheaply. This study evaluates the impact of alternative approaches to disseminating information about a school grants program in Indonesia on parents'knowledge about the program in general, knowledge about the implementation of the program in their child's school, and participation in school activities related to the program as well as beyond it. Not all dissemination approaches yielded impacts, and different modes of dissemination conveyed different types of information best, resulting in different impacts on behavior. Specifically, the low-intensity approaches that were tried?sending a letter from the principal home with the child, or sending a colorful pamphlet home with the child?had no impact on knowledge or participation. On the other hand, holding a facilitated meeting with a range of school stakeholders or sending targeted text messages to parents did increase knowledge and participation. Facilitated meetings mostly increased overall knowledge and fostered a feeling of transparency on the part of parents, which resulted in greater participation in formal channels for providing feedback to the school. The text messages increased knowledge about specific aspects of the program, such as the grant amount, and tended to increase participation through informal channels. |
| Keywords: | Primary Education,Education For All,Agricultural Knowledge and Information Systems,Tertiary Education,Effective Schools and Teachers |
| Date: | 2015–04–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:7233&r=sea |
| By: | Tristan Leo Dallo AGUSTIN (Mitsubishi Fuso); Martin SCHRODER (Research Institute Auto Parts Industries, Waseda University) |
| Abstract: | The topic of automotive supply chains has been increasingly studied as it raises questions of economic development, especially from the perspectives of simultaneous globalisation and regionalisation, and trade. While ASEAN is a prime example of intraregional production networks, supply chains that connect ASEAN and India have not been studied indepth. Therefore, this paper investigates the Indian automotive industry, which is composed of automobile original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and parts and components producers, and other supply chain connections to the neighbouring ASEAN region. This study is structured as follows. First, we will take a look at the historic development of the automotive industry in India, as it provides the context for the development of companies and their capabilities that are crucial determinants for their ability to join supply chains. The investigation will not be limited to Indian firms because as case studies of the ASEAN region forcefully demonstrate, foreign OEMs and parts suppliers may use developing and emerging markets as specialised production bases of their global and regional supply chains. Second, against the historic background, the current condition of the automotive industry in India will be analysed by discussing industry data. Third, we will conduct case studies of automotive companies from India, Japan, and South Korea to investigate how India and ASEAN are connected through supply chains and determine which chains integrate Indian companies. We will analyse to which extent industrial and trade policies promote or hinder the extension of ASEAN supply chains to India and vice versa. As a final step, policy recommendations will be formulated based on the findings in order to improve the automotive trade between India and ASEAN. |
| Keywords: | Automotive industry, supply chain organization, production networks |
| JEL: | L62 |
| Date: | 2015–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:era:wpaper:dp-2015-24&r=sea |
| By: | Tin Htoo NAING (Asia Europe Institute, University of Malaya); Yap Su FEI (Department of Economics, Faculty of Economics and Administration, University of Malaya) |
| Abstract: | Myanmar’s clothing industry has played a pivotal role in generating employment and exports. This article makes a contribution to the explication of the role of supporting institutions in the development of clothing manufacturing in Myanmar. The statistical analysis show that technological intensity is not correlated with labour productivity and export-intensity, which may be a consequence of the infancy of the industry and the use of old technologies in Myanmar. Also, the Probit estimations show that regional linkages matter in labour productivity and exportintensities but not with technological intensities in the clothing industry in Myanmar. |
| Keywords: | Clothing, Myanmar, productivity, regional linkages, technology |
| JEL: | L62 L22 L14 O31 |
| Date: | 2015–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:era:wpaper:dp-2015-14&r=sea |
| By: | Kleemans, Marieke |
| Abstract: | This paper develops and tests a migration choice model that incorporates two prominent migration strategies used by households facing risk and liquidity constraints. On the one hand, migration can be used as an ex-post risk-coping strategy after sudden negative income shocks. On the other hand, migration can be seen an as investment, but liquidity constraints may prevent households from paying up-front migration costs, in which case positive income shocks may increase migration. These diverging migratory responses to shocks are modeled within a dynamic migration choice framework that I test using a 20-year panel of internal migration decisions by 38,914 individuals in Indonesia. I document evidence that migration increases after contemporaneous negative income shocks as well as after an accumulation of preceding positive shocks. Consistent with the model, I find that migration after negative shocks is more often characterized by temporary moves to rural destinations and is more likely to be used by those with low levels of wealth, while investment migration is more likely to involve urban destinations, occur over longer distances, and be longer in duration. Structural estimation of the model reveals that migration costs are higher for those with lower levels of wealth and education, and suggests that the two migration strategies act as substitutes, meaning that those who migrate to cope with a negative shock are less likely to invest in migration. I use the structural estimates to simulate policy experiments of providing credit and subsidizing migration, and I explore the impact of increased weather shock intensity in order to better understand the possible impact of climate change on migration. |
| Keywords: | Internal Migration, Risk-Coping, Liquidity Constraints, Dynamic Choice, Community/Rural/Urban Development, Environmental Economics and Policy, International Development, Labor and Human Capital, Risk and Uncertainty, D14, D91, J61, O12, R23, |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaea15:200702&r=sea |
| By: | Kubo, Koji |
| Abstract: | We address the puzzle why the black market for foreign exchange thrives in Myanmar despite the successful unification of multiple exchange rates. A closer look at the black market reveals that its enduring competitiveness stems from its lower transaction costs. A question arising from this observation is how the official market, namely banks, can compete with and replace the black market. Our empirical analysis based on an original questionnaire survey of private export firms regarding their choices of currency trading modes suggests that banks can attract exporters by exploiting the economies of scope between currency trading and lending. |
| Keywords: | Myanmar, Foreign exchange, Banks, Informal finance, Exports, Exchange rate unification, Black market for foreign exchange, Economies of scope in banking |
| JEL: | E26 O24 O53 |
| Date: | 5015–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:jet:dpaper:dpaper511&r=sea |
| By: | World Bank Group |
| Keywords: | Finance and Financial Sector Development - Microfinance Finance and Financial Sector Development - Access to Finance Private Sector Development - Emerging Markets Finance and Financial Sector Development - Debt Markets Banks and Banking Reform |
| Date: | 2015–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wboper:21596&r=sea |
| By: | Vanthana NOLINTHA (National Economic Research Institute, Vientiane, Lao PDR); Idris JAJRI (Faculty of Economics and Administration, University of Malaya) |
| Abstract: | This article examines the relationship between institutional support and regional production linkages, and technological capabilities and firm performance in the garment industry in Laos. The evidence shows that garment firms in Laos have achieved considerable technological upgrading, and that firm performance and technological capabilities are determined by export-intensity. Firms’ technological capabilities are determined by the quality of host-site institutional support, while foreign firms have invested little to upgrade human capital in Laos. In addition, firms of all ownership structure have invested little in R&D in Laos. |
| Keywords: | garment, global production chains, Laos, technological capabilities |
| JEL: | L62 L22 L14 O31 |
| Date: | 2015–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:era:wpaper:dp-2015-13&r=sea |