|
on Transition Economics |
| By: | Rauf Gönenç; Peter Walkenhorst |
| Abstract: | <P>Over the past decade, public expenditure in Slovakia was characterised by substantial social transfers and high public sector wage expenses. This paper analyses the main features of Slovakia’s public expenditure system, reviews expenditure trends, and discusses recent reform initiatives. The latter have concerned the introduction of medium-term budget projections, the switch towards performance-based budgeting, the limitation of extra-budgetary funds, the devolution of spending power to sub-central administrative units, changes to the public employment regime, and reforms of the social security system. These initiatives are critically assessed and a number of recommendations concerning implementation and further reform steps are developed ...</P> <P>Rationaliser les dépenses publiques en République Slovaque <P>Durant la dernière décennie, les dépenses publiques en Slovaquie ont été caractérisées par des transferts sociaux considérables et des substantielles dépenses salariales dans le secteur public. Ce document examine les spécificités du système de dépenses publiques, passe en revue l’évolution des dépenses et discute les initiatives de réforme récentes. Ces dernières ont concerné la gestion des finances publiques dans un cadre de dépenses à moyen terme, le changement vers un système basé sur les objectifs budgétaires, la limitation des fonds extra-budgetaires, la dévolution des responsabilités budgétaires vers les administrations locales et régionales, les changements dans le système d’emploi public, et des réformes dans le système de sécurité sociale. Ces initiatives sont évaluées de façon critique et un nombre de recommandations sont développées concernant la mise en œuvre des changements et des étapes de réforme supplémentaires ...</P> |
| Keywords: | Public sector efficiency, budget systems, Government expenditure, Intergovernmental Relations, Relations intergouvernementales, new public management, système budgétaire, l'efficience du secteur public, système de dépenses publiques, nouveau système de gestion publique, Slovakia, La Slovaquie, dépenses gouvernementales |
| JEL: | E62 H1 H4 H5 H7 |
| Date: | 2004–03–16 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oec:ecoaaa:384-en&r=tra |
| By: | Rasmus Kattai; John Lewis |
| Abstract: | This paper develops a simple framework for describing fiscal policy where policymakers attempt to minimise deviations in output and budget balance from target values. Optimal policy is given by minimising a quadratic loss function subject to a linear structure of the economy. This policy can be viewed as weighted average of two polar cases - the case where the budget deficit adjusts to eliminate any deviations from potential output (hyperstabilisation), and the case where taxes and spending are determined exclusively by some budgetary goal (hooverism). We find some evidence of stabilisation for Poland, Latvia and Estonia. There is no evidence for the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Slovakia and Slovenia, suggesting that fiscal policy was being used for other objectives. The best fit is for Estonia, suggesting that a strict fiscal policy environment may not be incompatible with stabilising fiscal policy. |
| Keywords: | Fiscal Policy, Fiscal Policy Rules, New EU Member States |
| JEL: | E61 E62 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:eea:boewps:wp2004-04&r=tra |
| By: | Daniel Brou; Michele Ruta |
| Abstract: | Models of international unions suggest that large and rich countries reap little economic benefits from political integration with smaller and poorer countries. This paper challenges this view by presenting a formal study of economic influence by special interest groups in an international union. We first show that countries where more groups are organized to lobby gain from political integration on economic grounds. The reason is that a more organized country, under a political union, can affect policies in the other country to its advantage, something that a less organized country can do to a lesser extent. We then argue that richer countries will tend to have more organized interest groups before political integration and show that this will continue to be the case afterward. Hence, the model implies that there are costs and benefits of EU Enlargement to Eastern Europe in addition to those suggested by the existing literature. |
| Keywords: | Lobbying, Public Goods, International Unions, European Enlargement |
| JEL: | D72 F02 H41 |
| Date: | 2004 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:eui:euiwps:eco2004/30&r=tra |
| By: | Patrick Lenain; Lukasz Rawdanowicz |
| Abstract: | <P>After nearly fifteen years of transition, the countries of Central Europe have entered the European Union on 1 May 2004. For the four countries that are members of the OECD (Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovak Republic), accession follows multiyear efforts of economic stabilisation and structural transformation, which have brought them large benefits. Although convergence towards higher levels of income appears to be a distant prospect at current trend growth rates, this is not a predetermined outcome. The experience of prior entrants suggests that much leeway is available within the framework of the European Union to undertake pro-growth policies. The most promising prospect in this respect appears to reside with employment creation, which has been so far lacking and led to a rather imbalanced pattern of growth. Bringing down labour taxes, easing employment protection legislation and reducing out-of-work benefits would make important contributions in this respect. While ...</P> <P>Renforcer la convergence des revenus en Europe Centrale après les adhesions à l’Union européenne <P>Le 1er mai 2004, après presque quinze années de transition, les pays d’Europe centrale sont entrés dans l’Union européenne. Pour les quatre pays accédants qui sont Membres de l’OCDE (Hongrie, Pologne, République slovaque et République tchèque), l’adhésion couronne plusieurs années d’efforts de stabilisation économique et de transformation structurelle qui leur ont été très profitables. Même si la convergence vers des niveaux de revenu plus élevés semble une perspective lointaine aux taux de croissance actuels, l’issue n’est pas pour autant déterminée d’avance. L’expérience des précédents entrants donne à penser que le cadre de l’Union européenne offre une grande marge d’action pour engager des politiques favorables à la croissance. La voie la plus prometteuse à cet égard semble être la creation d’emplois, qui a été jusqu’ici insuffisante et qui a engendré un profil de croissance assez déséquilibré. L’allégement de la fiscalité du travail, l’assouplissement de la législation sur la ...</P> |
| Keywords: | Hungary, Hongrie, Economic growth, croissance économique, Transition, Slovak Republic, Transition, République Slovaque, Poland, Pologne, productivity growth, Croissance de la productivité, European Union, Union européenne, convergence, convergence, Central Europe, Czech Republic, accession, catching-up, labour utilisation, diffusion of innovation, diffusion of innovation, République Tchèque, accession, rattrapage, utilisation du travail, diffusion de l'innovation |
| JEL: | F43 J21 J23 O11 O52 P31 |
| Date: | 2004–06–16 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oec:ecoaaa:392-en&r=tra |
| By: | Rudiger Ahrend; William Tompson |
| Abstract: | <P>The gas industry is perhaps Russia’s least reformed major sector. Prices are regulated, exports are monopolised and the domestic market is dominated by a state-controlled, vertically integrated monopolist, OAO Gazprom. Gazprom combines commercial and regulatory functions, and maintains tight control over the sector’s infrastructure and over information flows within it. The sector as it is currently constituted is highly unlikely to be able to sustain sufficient output growth to satisfy both rising export commitments and domestic demand. There is significant potential for accelerating the growth of non-Gazprom production and making gas supply in Russia more competitive, but this will require fundamental reform. The proposals for reform advanced in the paper address two sets of issues. First, there is an urgent need to increase transparency in the sector and transfer many of the regulatory functions now performed by Gazprom to state bodies. Secondly, there is a longer-term need for a ...</P> <P>Le secteur du gaz en Russie : l’attente interminable pour des réformes? <P>L’industrie du gaz est peut être le secteur majeur le moins réformé en Russie. Les prix sont réglementés, les exportations sont effectuées par un monopole, et le marché intérieur est dominé par OAO Gazprom, un monopole verticalement intégré sous contrôle de l’État. Gazprom mélange des fonctions commerciales et de réglementation, et contrôle étroitement aussi bien l’infrastructure que les flux d’information à l’intérieur du secteur. De ce fait il est fortement improbable que le secteur dans sa forme actuelle soit capable d’atteindre une croissance de la production suffisante pour satisfaire aussi bien les engagements croissants d’exportations et la demande domestique. Le potentiel pour accroître la croissance de la production de gaz par d’autres producteurs que Gazprom, et de rendre l’offre de gaz en Russie plus compétitive, est fort. Mais l’exploitation de ce potentiel va nécessiter des réformes fondamentales. Les réformes proposées dans cet article concernent deux types de ...</P> |
| Keywords: | Regulation, Réglementation, Exports, competition, energy, énergie, gaz, Russia, economy, natural gas, infrastructure, pipelines, monopoly, state ownership, Gazprom, subsidies, ring fence, Russie, économie, infrastructure, pipelines, monopole, compétition, entreprises d’État, Gazprom, subventions, exportations, cantonnement |
| JEL: | L95 O52 P28 Q32 Q48 |
| Date: | 2004–09–17 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oec:ecoaaa:402-en&r=tra |
| By: | Biswanath Bhattacharyay; Prabir De |
| Abstract: | Open regionalism and integration between the world’s two largest developing countries - the People’s Republic of China (China) and India - in trade, investments and infrastructure development can foster outward-oriented development and economic and social benefits that could result in poverty reduction. In view of the increasing trend toward regional integration, particularly the expanded European Union and North American integration, the opportunity costs of not moving toward greater economic integration between China and India involving common neighbouring countries could be increasing. This paper discusses the above subject in the context of possible areas of China - India economic cooperation and integration in the Eastern and Northeastern region of India and Southwestern provinces of China, including neighbouring countries like Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, and Nepal. |
| Keywords: | India, China, economic cooperation and integration, trade, investment and infrastructure development |
| JEL: | F10 F20 Q10 Q40 R40 |
| Date: | 2005 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ces:ceswps:_1508&r=tra |
| By: | Masahiro Katsuno |
| Abstract: | <P>This paper examines the state of official ICT statistics in China and tries to assess ICT development in China from the currently available information. This can be seen as a first order stocktaking. The aim would be to move to a situation where data can be collected more systematically from China so as to compare them internationally.</P><P>Compared with OECD countries, statistics play a unique role in China, as they are an important tool for showing the progress made towards reaching the quantitative goals set in each Five-Year Plan. The provision of statistical data by various government bodies is therefore quite comprehensive, but because of he objective of these statistics, the information is often not or only partially comparable internationally. Most data from non-official sources are based on official statistics. The Chinese government recently passed legislation which restricts the collection of statistical data by foreign bodies, be they private or ...</P> <P>Indicateurs officiels sur les tic en Chine: tour d’horizon et bilan de la situation <P>Ce document examine la situation en matière de statistiques officielles des TIC en Chine et s’efforce d’évaluer le développement des TIC en Chine en se basant sur les informations existantes. Ce travail peut être considéré comme une première tentative de bilan. L’objectif serait d’accéder à une situation dans laquelle les données peuvent être collectées de manière plus systématique en Chine afin de pouvoir figurer dans des comparaisons internationales.</P><P>En Chine, les statistiques occupent une place particulière par rapport aux pays de l’OCDE : elles constituent un outil important pour démontrer les progrès accomplis au regard des objectifs quantitatifs fixés dans chaque plan quinquennal. Les données statistiques fournies par les différentes instances gouvernementales sont donc assez complètes, mais étant donné la finalité de ces statistiques, l’information n’est souvent pas comparable internationalement, ou elle ne l’est qu’en partie. La plupart des données des sources non ...</P> |
| Date: | 2005–03–22 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oec:stiaaa:2005/4-en&r=tra |
| By: | Teodora Paligorova |
| Abstract: | This paper uses matched employer-employee data for the Czech Republic to study the structure of managerial compensation. The evidence supports two key predictions from tournament theory. First, the managerial pay differential between organizational levels is non-decreasing as one goes up the corporate ladder. I document a particularly large increment of the pay differential at the top of a firm's hierarchy. Second, the winner's prize in the tournament increases with the number of competitors for the position of the top managers. |
| Keywords: | Czech Republic, tournament models, matched employer-employee data. |
| JEL: | J31 J41 |
| Date: | 2005–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cer:papers:wp262&r=tra |
| By: | Chiara Criscuolo; Ralf Martin |
| Abstract: | This paper shows that China is catching up rapidly with other dynamic Asian economies and the Triad economies on a score of indicators relating to the knowledge-based economy. Taking into account that a number of measurement issues hamper international comparability to varying degrees, some of the main results are the following. • Economic growth in China has outpaced the other economies substantially. Nevertheless, GDP per capita is still considerably smaller than that of the other economies. • The main contributor to GDP in China is industry (mining; manufacturing; electricity, gas and water supply; and construction), which saw its share rise by 10 percentage points to 52% between 1990 and 2002. • Trade in goods as a percentage of GDP doubled between 1990 and 2002, reaching a level well above that of the Triad economies. The largest contribution to this expansion was made by... <P>Les multinationales et le rôle préponderant de la productivité américaine: le cas de la Grande-Bretagne <P>D'après des études américaines au niveau de l'entreprise, les multinationales américaines sont plus productives que les autres multinationales. Cette situation pourrait s'expliquer par le rôle prééminent de la productivité aux États-Unis ou par la facilité avec laquelle les entreprises américaines exercent leurs activités sur le territoire de leur pays. La démonstration serait plus convaincante si les entreprises américaines étaient en tête à l'extérieur des États-Unis. Nous étudions la productivité des établissements industriels détenus par des entreprises américaines situées au Royaume-Uni. Notre étude se démarque de beaucoup d'études consacrées aux établissements industriels à capitaux étrangers de trois manières. Premièrement, grâce à une nouvelle base de données, nous pouvons identifier non seulement les multinationales étrangères, mais également les multinationales nationales. Nous concluons que les multinationales du Royaume-Uni sont moins productives que les établissements ...</P> |
| JEL: | F23 L60 |
| Date: | 2004–04–21 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oec:stiaaa:2004/5-en&r=tra |
| By: | Rudiger Ahrend |
| Abstract: | <P>This paper provides an in depth analysis of Russia’s recent growth, with a view to understanding the prospects for its continuation. It examines in detail the main drivers of growth, as well as the main developments and policies that have been underlying it. A key finding is that the role of the oil sector, and particularly privately owned oil companies, has been vastly more important in driving economic growth since 2001 than most analyses have recognised. The oil sector’s contribution to growth has hitherto been severely underestimated as official data do not account for transfer pricing and thus fail to reflect fully the importance of the hydrocarbon sector in the Russian economy. The paper further argues that prudent postcrisis fiscal policy, by balancing the federal budget over the oil-price cycle, has also been essential for creating a macroeconomic environment conducive to strong growth. Looking forward, it is argued that - given its economic structure - Russia is bound to ...</P> <P>Bilan de la croissance après la crise en Russie <P>Cet article analyse en profondeur la croissance économique récente en Russie afin de comprendre les perspectives de sa continuité. L’article examine en détail les principaux moteurs de la croissance, ainsi que les principales évolutions et politiques sous-jacentes. Un des principaux résultats est que le rôle du secteur pétrolier, en particulier les compagnies pétrolières privées, a été considérablement plus important comme moteur de la croissance depuis 2001 que ne l’ont constaté la plupart des analystes. La contribution à la croissance du secteur pétrolier a jusqu’à présent été grandement sous-estimée à cause des données officielles qui ne prennent pas en compte l’utilisation des prix de transfert, et par conséquent ne reflètent pas entièrement l’importance du secteur des hydrocarbures dans l’économie russe. Cet article fait également le point sur la politique budgétaire prudente d’après la crise, qui en gardant le budget fédéral équilibré sur l’ensemble du cycle des cours ...</P> |
| Keywords: | Economic growth, croissance économique, Transition, Transition, fiscal policy, politique budgétaire, monetary policy, politique monétaire, gas, gaz, Russia, Russie, Real Exchange Rate, Capital Flight, Natural Resources, Dutch Disease, Resource Curse, Oil, Property Rights, Diversification, taux de change réel, fuite des capitaux, ressources naturelles, syndrome néerlandais, malédiction des ressources, pétrole, droits de propriété, diversification |
| JEL: | E6 O1 O52 P2 Q43 |
| Date: | 2004–09–30 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oec:ecoaaa:404-en&r=tra |
| By: | William Tompson |
| Abstract: | <P>This paper examines the state of the Russian banking sector in 2004 and assesses the most important reform initiatives of the last two years, including deposit insurance legislation, a major reform of the framework for prudential supervision, steps to increase transparency in the sector, and measures to facilitate the development of specific banking activities. The overall conclusion that emerges from this analysis is that the Russian authorities’ approach to banking reform is to be commended. The design of the reform strategy reflects an awareness of the need for a ‘good fit’ between its major elements, and the main lines of the reform address some of the principal problems of the sector. The major lacuna in the Russian bank reform strategy concerns the future of state-owned banks. Despite a long-standing official commitment to reducing the role of the state – and of the Bank of Russia in particular – in the ownership of credit institutions, there is still a need for a much more ...</P> <P>La réforme du secteur bancaire en russie - les enjeux et les perspectives <P>Cet article examine la situation du secteur bancaire russe en 2004 et évalue les principales initiatives de réforme prises au cours des deux dernières années – la législation sur l’assurance des dépôts, une vaste refonte du cadre de la surveillance prudentielle, des mesures pour renforcer la transparence du secteur, et l’adoption de dispositions visant à faciliter le développement de certaines activités bancaires. De façon générale, il ressort de cette analyse que l’on peut saluer l’approche suivie par les autorités russes en matière de réforme bancaire. La conception de la stratégie de réforme témoigne d’une sensibilité à la nécessité de trouver une «bonne harmonie» entre ces principales composantes, et les grands axes de la réforme s’attaquent à certains des grands problèmes du secteur. La plus grande lacune de la stratégie russe pour la réforme du secteur bancaire concerne l’avenir des banques publiques. En dépit d’un engagement officiel de longue date à réduire le rôle de ...</P> |
| Keywords: | corruption, transparency, transparence, banking, deposit insurance, Russia, economy, state ownership, Russie, économie, entreprises d’État, prudential supervision, accounting, international financial reporting standards, Sberbank, activités bancaires, assurance de dépôts, surveillance prudentielle, comptabilité, normes comptables internationales, corruption, Sberbank |
| JEL: | E58 G21 G28 O52 P29 |
| Date: | 2004–11–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oec:ecoaaa:410-en&r=tra |
| By: | Martin Schaaper |
| Abstract: | This paper shows that China is catching up rapidly with other dynamic Asian economies and the Triad economies on a score of indicators relating to the knowledge-based economy. Taking into account that a number of measurement issues hamper international comparability to varying degrees, some of the main results are the following. • Economic growth in China has outpaced the other economies substantially. Nevertheless, GDP per capita is still considerably smaller than that of the other economies. • The main contributor to GDP in China is industry (mining; manufacturing; electricity, gas and water supply; and construction), which saw its share rise by 10 percentage points to 52% between 1990 and 2002. • Trade in goods as a percentage of GDP doubled between 1990 and 2002, reaching a level well above that of the Triad economies. The largest contribution to this expansion... |
| Date: | 2004–03–22 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oec:stiaaa:2004/4-en&r=tra |
| By: | Giannetti, Mariassunta; Ongena, Steven |
| Abstract: | An extensive empirical literature has documented the positive growth effects of equity market liberalization. However, this line of research ignores the impact of financial integration on a category of firms crucial for economic development, i.e. the small entrepreneurial firms. This paper aims to fill this void. We employ a large panel containing almost 60,000 firm–year observations on listed and unlisted companies in Eastern European economies to assess the differential impact of foreign bank lending on firm growth and financing. Foreign lending stimulates growth in firm sales, assets, and leverage, but the effect is dampened for small firms. We also find that the most connected businesses benefit least from foreign bank entry. This finding suggests that foreign banks can help mitigate connected lending problems and improve capital allocation. |
| Keywords: | competition; emerging markets; foreign bank lending; lending relationships |
| JEL: | G21 L11 L14 |
| Date: | 2005–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:5151&r=tra |
| By: | Hui Huang; Yi Wang; Yiming Wang; John Whalley; Shunming Zhang |
| Abstract: | We combine a model of combined inter-spatial and inter-temporal trade between countries recently — used by Huang, Whalley and Zhang (2004) to analyze the merits of trade liberalization in services when goods trade is restricted — with a model of foreign exchange rationing due to Clarete and Whalley (1991) in which there is a fixed exchange rate with a surrender requirement for foreign exchange generated by exports. In this model, when services remain unliberalized there is an optimal trade intervention, even in the small open price-taking economy case. Given monetary policy and an endogenously determined premium value on foreign exchange, an optimal setting of the exchange rate can provide the optimal trade intervention. We suggest this model has relevance to the current situation in China where services remain unliberalized and tariff rates are bound in the WTO. Since there is an optimal exchange rate, a move to a free Renminbi float can be welfare worsening. We use numerical simulation methods to explore the properties of the model, since it has no closed form solution. Our analysis provides an intellectual counter argument to those presently advocating a free Renminbi float for China. |
| JEL: | F00 F11 F31 F40 |
| Date: | 2005 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ces:ceswps:_1471&r=tra |
| By: | Carl Gjersem; Philip Hemmings; Andreas Reindl |
| Abstract: | <P>The establishment of competitive markets has been one of the cornerstones Hungarian economic policy over the past decade, alongside a successful strategy of attracting foreign investment. Broad statistical measures show no signs of endemically weak domestic competition, though the country’s relatively low productivity among domestic business likely signals some sheltering from international competition. The generally healthy level of competition is partly because competition legislation and its enforcement are of a good standard. Nevertheless, room for improvement is suggested in a number of areas. In particular, it is argued that individuals should be able to initiate legal actions directly, <I>i.e.</I> without having to proceed via the competition authority. And, it is suggested that sanctions against individuals in hard-core cartel cases are introduced. In examining specific sectors, this paper is critical of the pace of progress towards competition in the network industries. The rail ...</P> <P>Concurrence sur les marches de produits et performance economique en Hongrie <P>La mise en place de marchés concurrentiels a été l’une des pierres angulaires de la politique économique menée par la Hongrie au cours de la dernière décennie, parallèlement à des mesures qui ont permis d’attirer l’investissement étranger. Bien que les indicateurs statistiques généraux ne mettent pas en évidence d’insuffisance systématique de la concurrence sur le marché intérieur, la productivité relativement faible des entreprises locales témoigne probablement d’une certaine protection vis-à-vis de la concurrence internationale. Le niveau généralement soutenu de la concurrence tient en partie à la qualité de la réglementation en matière de concurrence et de son application. Néanmoins, des améliorations seraient sans doute possibles dans plusieurs domaines. En particulier, il semblerait souhaitable que les particuliers puissent engager directement des actions en justice, sans avoir à passer par l’autorité de la concurrence. De même, il serait probablement utile que des sanctions ...</P> |
| Keywords: | Hungary, Hongrie, regulatory reform, réforme de la réglementation, Regulated industries, competition, concurrence, antitrust law, protection, aggregate productivity and growth, protection, productivité globale et croissance, competition legislation, législation antitrust, législation en matière de concurrence, secteurs réglementés |
| JEL: | F13 K21 K23 O47 O52 O57 |
| Date: | 2004–03–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oec:ecoaaa:381-en&r=tra |
| By: | Benu Bidani (World Bank); Niels-Hugo Blunch (The George Washington University); Chor-ching Goh (World Bank); Christopher J. O'Leary (W.E. Upjohn Institute) |
| Abstract: | Recent years have seen a surge in the evidence on the impacts of active labor market programs for numerous countries. However, little evidence has been presented on the effectiveness of such programs in China. Recent economic reforms, associated massive lay-offs, and accompanying public retraining programs make China fertile ground for rigorous impact evaluations. This study evaluates retraining programs for laid-off workers in the cities of Shenyang and Wuhan using a comparison group design. To our knowledge, this is the first evaluation of its kind in China. The evidence suggests that retraining helped workers find jobs in Wuhan, but had little effect in Shenyang. However, in terms of earnings impacts, retraining appears to have increased earnings in Shenyang but not in Wuhan. The study raises questions about the overall effectiveness of retraining expenditures, and it offers some directions for policymakers about future interventions to help laid-off workers. |
| Keywords: | Active labor market programs, job training, impact evaluation, propensity score matching, China |
| JEL: | J23 J31 |
| Date: | 2005–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:upj:weupjo:05-111&r=tra |
| By: | William Tompson |
| Abstract: | <P>Russia in 2003 embarked on the restructuring of its electricity sector. The reform is intended to introduce competition into electricity production and supply, leaving dispatch, transmission and distribution as regulated natural monopolies with non-discriminatory third-party access to the networks. The ultimate aim of the reform is to create conditions that will encourage both investment in new capacity and greater efficiency of both production and consumption. The overall approach embodied in the reform is promising. However, there remains a serious risk that its aims could be subverted by special-interest lobbying during the lengthy implementation phase. If the reform is to succeed, the marketised segments of the sector must be characterised by real competition based on economically meaningful prices. There are two dangers here. The first is that private-sector interests will secure strategic holdings that allow them to exercise market power or even local monopoly power. The ...</P> <P>La restructuration du secteur de l’électricité : vers une véritable concurrence ou une fausse libéralisation? <P>En 2003, la Russie a entrepris de restructurer le secteur de l’électricité. L’objectif de ces réformes est d’instaurer la concurrence aux stades de la production et de la fourniture, en laissant le dispatching, le transport et la distribution sous le régime de monopoles naturels réglementés assortis d’un accès non discriminatoire des tiers aux réseaux. Le but ultime de la réforme est de créer les conditions pour encourager l’investissement dans de nouvelles capacités de production aussi bien que l’augmentation de l’efficacité de la production et de la consommation. La stratégie générale de réforme est prometteuse. On ne peut cependant négliger le risque que les objectifs fondamentaux de la réforme soient relégués au second rang par les pressions exercées par des groupes d’intérêt spéciaux pendant tout le temps qui sera nécessaire à sa mise en œuvre. Pour que la réforme puisse réussir, la concurrence doit pouvoir véritablement jouer dans les segments du secteur ouverts aux forces du ...</P> |
| Keywords: | privatisation, competition, concurrence, privatisation, electricity, électricité, Russia, economy, infrastructure, monopoly, state ownership, Russie, économie, infrastructure, monopole, entreprises d’État, grid, réseau |
| JEL: | L94 O52 P28 P31 |
| Date: | 2004–09–30 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oec:ecoaaa:403-en&r=tra |
| By: | Andrew Burns; Przemyslaw Kowalski |
| Abstract: | <P>With almost 50 per cent of the working age population not working, improving labour market performance represents an essential and daunting challenge for Poland. While some of today’s joblessness is cyclical in nature, most of it appears to be structural. This paper argues that to increase employment levels policy will need to focus on reducing significantly the inactivity traps inherent in the Polish personal transfer system, while improving the efficiency and targeting of social transfers to ensure resources flow to those truly in need. Simultaneously, efforts must be extended to increase firms' propensity to hire the outof-work, by lowering the costs of low-skill labour, reducing associated administrative and regulatory costs and in the longer term by providing graduates with more relevant skills. This paper outlines reforms in each of these areas which, if implemented, would serve to reverse the recent decline in employment and improve the fairness of income ...</P> <P>Le défi de l’emploi en pologne : politiques en faveur de l’emploi <P>Alors que près de 50 pour cent de la population d’âge actif est sans emploi, améliorer les performances du marché du travail représente pour la Pologne un formidable défi. Une partie du nonemploi est certes conjoncturelle mais, pour l’essentiel, c’est un phénomène structurel. L’idée développée dans cette étude est que, pour élever le niveau de l’emploi, il faudra s’attacher à réduire notablement les pièges à l’inactivité liés au système des transferts sociaux en Pologne, tout en améliorant l’efficience et le ciblage des transferts de façon que les flux de ressources aillent vers ceux qui en ont véritablement besoin. Parallèlement, il faudra redoubler d’efforts pour inciter davantage les entreprises à embaucher les personnes sans emploi, en abaissant le coût de la main-d’œuvre peu qualifiée, en réduisant les coûts administratifs et réglementaires connexes et, à plus long terme, en orientant les étudiants vers des qualifications plus pertinentes. Cette étude présente des réformes dans ...</P> |
| Keywords: | Poland, Pologne, education, marché du travail, labour market policies, personal transfer system, labour costs, active labour market policies, flexibility of working rules, transfers sociaux, coûts salariaux, politiques actives concernant le marché du travail, enseignement |
| JEL: | E24 H52 J20 J21 J22 J23 J24 J26 J31 J32 J65 O52 O57 |
| Date: | 2004–12–23 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oec:ecoaaa:414-en&r=tra |
| By: | Nolan Sharkey |
| Abstract: | Research into the relationships between people and organizations that drive social behaviour and institutions in China has produced some profound findings on the structure of society in China. The network structure of private enterprise and the importance of Guanxi are often highlighted. While some scholars of comparative law have investigated the implications these issues have for legal reform/ development in China, too many projects assume that emulation of the laws in developed legal systems is the way forward for China. This ignores the importance of tailoring China’s laws to the structure of Chinese society. The debate surrounding the reform of income tax laws in China is no exception with many commentators looking to Western tax laws to solve such severe problems as tax avoidance and low revenue yields. This paper seeks to address some of the issues that arise in applying income tax laws based on those of developed countries to private enterprise in China with a particular focus on the legal design of the income tax unit. |
| Keywords: | China, tax reform, income tax |
| Date: | 2005–04–22 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nsw:discus:224&r=tra |
| By: | Gang Zhang |
| Abstract: | <P>Intellectual property rights (IPRs) have an important role to play in helping China realise a modernisation strategy based on technological upgrading and integration into the global economy. Through the protection they offer to inventors, IPR regimes can help promote domestic technological innovation and facilitate transfer of foreign technology. Having recognised the importance of IPRs, the Chinese government has taken great strides in the past two decades to develop a modern system of IPR legislation and to further amend it in accordance with China’s membership in the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Progress with respect to IPR enforcement, however, still falls short of the levels needed to stimulate Chinese innovation and meet the expectations of the international business community.</P><P>This report summarises two policy dialogues that the OECD organised with China in Spring 2004 on IPR issues. These dialogues aimed at assisting China in its efforts to further improve IPR ...</P> <P>Améliorer le régime des droits de propriete intellectuelle et le respect de leur protection en Chine <P>Les droits de propriété intellectuelle (DPI) ont un rôle majeur à jouer dans la réussite de la stratégie de modernisation de la Chine, fondée sur le relèvement du niveau technologique et l’intégration dans l’économie mondiale. Au travers de la protection donnée aux inventeurs, les régimes de DPI contribuent au développement de l’innovation dans l’économie nationale et facilitent les transferts de technologie étrangère. Conscient de l’importance des DPI, au cours des 20 dernières années le gouvernement chinois a consenti un effort considérable à la mise en place d’un régime moderne régissant les DPI, totalement inexistant jusque-là, et en l’améliorant encore à l’occasion de l’adhésion du pays à l’Organisation mondiale du commerce (OMC). Cependant, le progrès réalisé du point de vue du respect de la législation relative aux DPI n’est pas encore suffisant tant au regard de ses effets sur le développement de l’innovation qu’à celui des attentes des milieux d’affaires internationaux ...</P> |
| Date: | 2005–02–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oec:stiaaa:2005/1-en&r=tra |