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on Transition Economics |
| By: | Roy, Francine |
| Abstract: | This article documents the evolution of Canada's trade with China over the last 15 years in the context of the broad shifts in China's trade with the world. |
| Keywords: | Trade, Exports, International trade, Imports |
| Date: | 2004–06–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:stc:stcp2e:2004007e&r=tra |
| By: | Sylvie DEMURGER (HIEBS, the University of Hong Kong and CNRS (France)); Martin FOURNIER (CEFC (Hong Kong)); CHEN Yi (CERDI, Université d’Auvergne (France)) |
| Abstract: | This paper analyzes the impact of market liberalization on gender earnings differentials and discrimination against women in urban China at the beginning of the 90s. The observed stability in the overall gender earnings gap between 1988 and 1995 is shown to result from a complex set of evolutions across enterprises, earnings distributions and time. Our results highlight the interplay of opposing forces, economic reforms contributing to changes in managers’ behaviors in different dimensions. On the one hand, by bringing more competition, liberalization favored a reduction in discriminating behaviors in both urban collectives and foreign-invested enterprises; on the other hand, by relaxing institutional rules, it led to a loosening of the government’s egalitarian wage setting policies, leaving more space for discrimination in state-owned enterprises. |
| Keywords: | gender earnings differentials, discrimination, enterprise ownership, urban China |
| JEL: | J16 J31 J71 O53 P23 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:inq:inqwps:ecineq2006-23&r=tra |
| By: | Vyacheslav Vashanov; Jahan Orazdurdiyeva |
| Abstract: | Among the CIS countries Turkmenistan is known as one of the most closed state, information about which could hardly be found. At the same time these dates are contrary to each other. Meanwhile, Turkmenistan, a former Soviet Central Asian republic of almost 5 million people, has a lot of potential. It is rich in oil and gas. Proven gas reserves amount to at least 100 trillion cubic feet, and possibly 260 trillion, putting Turkmenistan among the world’s top 10 countries in terms of such reserves. Untapped oilfields lie off the coast in the Caspian Sea, the size of which is yet to be quantified. Being among the richest countries in the world in terms of hydrocarbon resources, Turkmenistan represents unquestionable interest for European community as an oil and gas exporter and interests at the world’s energy markets as well. The page gives some aspects of foreign economic activity based on analysis of the regional co-operation between Russian Federation and Turkmenistan. The paper puts to the center of research the following issues: a) classification of the Russia’s regions according to the level of commodity circulation; b) peculiarity of the trade links between Russia and Turkmenistan at the oil and gas, food, chemical and mechanical engineering fields; c)to determine export/import oriented regions. The purpose of the page is to investigate the present level of Russia-Turkmenistan co-operation, find out the ways to be integrated to the European’s energy markets. |
| Date: | 2005–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa05p36&r=tra |
| By: | Lilia Maliar (Universidad de Alicante); Kateryna Garmel (National University "Kyiv-Mohyla Academy"); Serguei Maliar (Universidad de Alicante) |
| Abstract: | This paper studies how the EU Eastern enlargement can affect the economies of the old and the new EU members and the non-acceded countries in the context of a multi-country neoclassical growth model where Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is subject to border costs. We assume that in the moment of the EU enlargement border costs are eliminated between the old and the new EU member states but they remain unchanged between the old EU member states and the nonacceded countries. In a calibrated version of the model, the short-run effects of the EU enlargement proved to be relatively small for all the economies considered. The long-run effects are however significant: in the acceded countries, investors from the old EU member states become permanent owners of about 3/4 of capital, while in the nonacceded countries, they are forced out of business by local producers. |
| Keywords: | Foreign direct investment; EU enlargement; Neoclassical growth model; Transition economies; Three-country model |
| Date: | 2005–11 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ivi:wpasad:2005-29&r=tra |
| By: | Wu Zhigang; Zhou Suhong; Feng Changchun |
| Abstract: | There appears bran-new models of land use development which is not entirely in accord with national policy in China, especially in the rapid urbanization zone. It results from the conflicts between the active two-system of land use policy and the rapid development of society and economy in these areas. Although it disobeys the national law of land use in some aspects, this phenomenon reveals the irrationality on the active land policy, which has to be reformed for the urban sustainability. After summarizing and analysing the typical models of land use development of the rapid urbanization areas in the Pearl-river Delta metropolitans, the paper gives some conclusions and some suggestions for land policy reform in the future. |
| Date: | 2005–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa05p442&r=tra |
| By: | Maria Kopeykina |
| Abstract: | The page represents model of influence of the occurred demographic changes on economic development of Russia. Transformation of model birth rate in modern Russia and its rapprochement to type of the western countries (Austria, Germany, Italy, Spain). Reflection of a social and economic conjuncture in a channel of "the second demographic transition" to which all advanced countries follow. Russia has followed the road long-term changes of economic and demographic model, and return to former models is hardly possible. As a core of the newest tendencies of economic development search of optimum model of life cycle of the person adequate to realities of modern life, among which high requirements to formation and a level of a material well-being acts. |
| Date: | 2005–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa05p8&r=tra |
| By: | Josef Abrham; Milan Vosta; Adela Tesarova |
| Abstract: | The aim of this paper is to analyse the question of clusters in the Czech Republic. Clusters have been recently identified by public bodies as a useful measures for supporting regional competitiveness. What has been done so far and based on which theoretical approaches? How to procede in future? Which are the possibilities for clusters in the Czech Republic? The theoretical approach is based on the “diamond” of Michael Porter and on his definition saying that clusters are geographic concentrations of interconnected companies, specialized suppliers, service providers, and associated institutions in a particular field that are present in a nation or region. Clusters can be viewed in a wider or narrower context. In the first case, all linkages among businesses that arose naturally and do not have any institutionalised structures can be considered a cluster. In our view, it is possible to find examples of such clusters in the Czech Republic, for example in the automotive industry. Under the second approach a cluster is an organised network of enterprises and other entities, such as research institutions and academic bodies. In such case the cluster has a central body which is organising and managing the economic activities inside the network. There is one example of this cluster in the Czech Republic – the so called Moravian-Silesian Engineering Cluster. This cluster is a rather specific case because the industries in this network have been undergoing the process of restructuralisation. Based on this picture, it can be stated that clusters are not particulary present in the Czech economy. But recently the development of clusters has been strongly supported by the official authorities in the Czech Republic and has become one of the instruments of regional policy. Not only after EU accession but even before, EU funds have been used to push the creation of organised clusters. For example the feasibility study of the Moravian-Silesian cluster was financed from the programme Phare. In 2004 a programme “Clusters” has been launche as part of the Operational Programme “Industry and Enterprise” for the EU Regional Policy planning period 2004-2006. The questions that arise and that we are dealing with in our paper are the following: supporting the development of clustres – is it a good way how to face regional underdevelopment in the Czech Republic? Which industries should be supported? And do we have the right mechanism to be able to identify vital industries? Is it actually possible to develop vital and functioning clusters in this artificial way? |
| Date: | 2005–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa05p572&r=tra |
| By: | Valerija Botriæ; Željka Kordej de Villa |
| Abstract: | This paper investigates regional differences in the housing market in Croatia. Housing market in Croatia is still relatively undeveloped, but highly regionally dispersed. Regions characterized by excessive demand on the housing and real estate markets are concentrated in the capital city and recently in the tourist areas. Regions characterized by the excessive supply are those in the economically depressed areas. At the same time, Croatian labour market lacks significant geographical mobility, which contributes to the differences on the housing market as well. Croatian housing market had to experience the phase of price liberalization, as well as other markets in the transition process. This specific liberalization, though, was not considered as a priority during the process. Price developments and turnover dynamics are still bounded by underdeveloped and not updated cadastre, purchasing power of the Croatian residents, newly discovered and soon surpassed credit liabilities, and at this moment still limited possibilities of non-residents real estate purchases. Within the prospect of becoming an EU member, Croatian housing market is expected to gone through significant changes. The main purpose of our paper is to quantitatively assess the situation prior to the EU accession. We apply principles of hedonic price methods in order to estimate the determinants of housing prices, taking account of regional differences. Our database consists of the detailed spatial data. Since the database is relatively new, the time dimension of housing market developments is not assessed in this paper. |
| Date: | 2005–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa05p289&r=tra |
| By: | German Vetrov; Ioulia Zaitseva |
| Abstract: | The results of survey, Municipal Governance in Modern Russia, was conducted in 2003 – 2004 by the Institute for Urban Economics (IUE), are presented in the paper. The primary goal of the research is to take an inventory of the experience accumulated by the cities in the field of managing local development, focusing on such important parameters as local leaders’ awareness of new management technologies and popularity of such technologies, activity of municipalities at inter-municipal level, technical equipment of administrations. The study of the present status of municipal governance in Russia is all the more important now, with the beginning of a critically new period in the development of Russian cities. Internal and external factors of various nature determine the beginning of this period. On the one hand, relative economic stability in the country and experience accumulated over the years enabled many cities to turn at last from current problems and institutional reforms to strategic planning of their development. On the other hand, the system of local self-governance itself is being transformed drastically by the state – both in terms of territorial organization and municipal powers and interaction between different levels of government. Further transformation is determined by the new version of the Federal Law, On the General Principles of the Organization of Local Self-Governance in the Russian Federation, passed on October 6, 2003 (#131-FZ). The law will fully come into force on January 1, 2006, but preparatory work is already under way in Russian regions. The following main conclusions can be drawn, based on the survey results. 1.New advanced technologies of municipal governance and instruments of socio-economic development have passed the phase of pilot implementation and are now being disseminated on a mass scale. 2.Network of inter-municipal contacts has become a reality and is functioning actively. 3.Computerization of local administrations and information access of city residents have reached a rather high level. 4.Local self-governments are still faced with their traditional problems, first of all, finances and personnel. 5.Population size is not a decisive factor in institutional development of Russian cities. 6.Almost all sample municipalities are familiar with the new version of the law, On the General Principles of the Organization of Local Self-Governance in the Russian Federation. |
| Date: | 2005–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa05p718&r=tra |
| By: | Grigori Fainstein |
| Abstract: | The purpose of this paper is twofold. First, we aim at analysing the development of regional specialisation in Estonia since the beginning of trade liberalisation and integration into the EU in the early 1990s. Second, given the patterns of developments in specialisation, we analyse how trade liberalisation has affected structure of regional wages. The main data used in this study consist of a panel of 5 geographic regions aggregated at the NUTS3 level by the EU classification. For every region we calculated indices of regional industrial specialisation in 1990-2002. The indices are based on data for employment in manufacturing industries classified by two-digit NACE standard (total of 13 industries). The impact of integration with EU on regional development is based on the data for average wages in industry in regions at NUTS IV level (15 administrative units of Estonia). The analysis of industrial specialisation in Estonian NUTS III regions showed that the level of specialisation has increased on average by 1-1.5% a year. As for transition economy time is a fair proxy to integration, we may conclude that initial stages of establishing closer economic relations with EU and voluminous target investments into the regions stimulated specialisation. Econometric analysis of relationship between relative regional wages and distance to the capital suggests an explanation consistent with new economic geography hypothesis. Surprisingly, in spite of small size of Estonian territory, distance have essensial effect on variations in regional wages. Our estimates show that integration with EU and trade liberalisation minimises negative impact of distance. |
| Date: | 2005–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa05p240&r=tra |
| By: | John Landon-Lane (Rutgers University, The State University of New-Jersey, Department of Economics); Kim Oosterlinck (Centre Emile Bernheim, Solvay Business School, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels.) |
| Abstract: | By their extreme nature, repudiations rarely occur. History is therefore crucial to analyze their impact on bond prices. This paper provides an empirical study based on an original database: prices of a Tsarist bond traded in Paris before and after its repudiation by the Soviets. A structural vector autoregression is used to identify shocks to this bond that are orthogonal to shocks hitting a proxy for the Paris bond market, the French 3% rente. French market shocks are thus disentangled from repudiation specific shocks hitting the Russian bond. Consistent with expectations no major Russian shocks appears before the 1917 revolution. For 1918, shocks are mainly related with bailouts or hopes of partial bailouts. In 1919, however, the nature of shocks changes as they can be explained either by the negotiations with the Soviets or by the fate of the White Armies. In view of these elements, we argue that the bonds’ value were subject to a “Peso problem”. Their prices essentially reflected expected extreme events that never took place. |
| Keywords: | repudiation, sovereign debt, secession, Russia, Soviet, war, country break-up. |
| JEL: | F34 G1 N24 |
| Date: | 2005–11 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:sol:wpaper:05-013&r=tra |
| By: | Izet Ibreljic; Salih Kulenovic |
| Abstract: | In wide region of South-Eastern Europe it has been notice even long ago that special attention must be given to a faster making of new creative and innovative regional structure of energetics which will made it possible for this geo-space to get incorporated in the energy structure of EU soon.However, in many documents done by foreign experts and institutions it is point out for that to happen it will take a long time. This topic is especially actual in Bosnia and Herzegovina as a country with the biggest reserve of coal in the region as well as with the biggest problem in a sphere of mining and energetics. In the paper that will be presented the mentioned task will be viewed in wider context of global development trends and process of restructuring not just energetics but also the entire economy in South-Eastern Europe and current process of rationalization of the European internal market of energy products. Certainly, in the focus of this paper will be environmental problem, which always follow these processes. |
| Date: | 2005–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa05p134&r=tra |
| By: | Laszlone Tanczos; Ágnes Kosztyó; Meszaros Ferenc |
| Abstract: | This study is based on the research of TIPP - Transport Institutions in the Policy Process - project in the EC’s 5th Framework Programme. It is generally acknowledged that the implementation of regulations faces many problems of the existing institutional system. Beside all its affection may thicken on with passing of social, economics and structural changes in the same time. In the course of the transition period nascent and existing circumstances can propose several questions about its equitableness, acceptability and conduciveness and it can be a lesson for the future organising. Hungary is also undergone substantial changes during last decade. This transition created new responsibilities in road management (e.g. creating the possibility of private financing) and strengthened the accounting discipline and transparency, but the implementation of regulations still faces to many problems of the existing institutional system. The missing financial sources for development and the lasting financial funding of maintenance in the road sector lead to a substantially fall in the asset value of the national road network. On the public side - ministry, State motorway company - the continuous structural and regulatory changes resulted in an uncertainty even at the decision making level within the institutions. In Hungary the decision makers like to enhance the State revenue generating financial resources for operation, maintenance and for development as well in future plan. A well-financed and extended motorway network could improve social cohesion and the economic growth, which is still missing in such countries as Hungary. In the Hungarian practice there is a clear tendency that is in cost allocation between road users with commonly accepted pricing principles but time is needed for implementation. This study contributes to achieve these goals discussing the differing common European and Hungarian objectives, and find acceptable criteria to be taken into account in setting up of transport policies in the Hungarian practice. |
| Date: | 2005–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa05p609&r=tra |
| By: | Bin Li; Yoshiro Higano |
| Abstract: | Global warming is likely to be the greatest environmental challenge among various known climate changes that related with many aspects of land use and water management in the 21st century. In general, the phenomenon of global warming is almost proportionally related with the pace of industrialization, which has to be resolved with high priority. Fossil fuel production and consumption is primarily responsible for the emission of greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide (CO2), into the environment, increasing the level of global warming. In this research, a policy mix as a kind of climate change strategy is proposed, imposing carbon tax in China. Based on available data, an eco-conscious socioeconomic framework model is built and several scenarios of energy use and CO2 emission are developed in order to evaluate comprehensively the effect of carbon tax on CO2 emission curtailment and introduce suitable alternative energy in China. Sustainable power technologies mean solar power technology and wind power technology in the research. The main target is to form a low carbon sustainable society in China, using a multi-sectoral macro-economical model including Input-Output (I-O) table. Then an optimum carbon tax rate is derived endogenously by running the simulation model under CO2 emission restrictions. |
| Date: | 2005–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa05p218&r=tra |
| By: | George Petrakos; Lefteris Topaloglou |
| Abstract: | Borders and border regions receive a special attention in the new post-1989 European architecture characterized by the processes of integration, transition and enlargement. What is actually happening to borders and border regions within this new environment? Are borders being abolished, weakened or are they being reproduced under a different pattern? What are the determinant factors which define the level and type of cross border interaction? This paper attempts to shed some light into the dynamics, perceptions and the new challenges concerning the “border phenomenon”. An empirical evidence is based on a survey at the Greek-Albanian-FYROM-Bulgarian border zone by analysing survey data. The survey, aims to evaluate a) the level and the type of cross-border interaction b) the obstacles and the limit of greater cross border interaction c) the existing perceptions and images of the other side of the borders d) the effectiveness of policies to stimulate interaction, e) the effects (positive and negative) of greater interaction on the border regions, f) the effects of EU enlargement on the c-b regions. |
| Date: | 2005–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa05p424&r=tra |
| By: | Zlatan Fröhlich |
| Abstract: | Non-tariff barriers limit trade within South East Europe, and many Western Balkan companies fear a negative impact of the recent EU enlargement. At the same time, companies in the Western Balkans can reap the benefits of further integration, provided they are better informed about relevant legislation. This is a key finding that will be discussed in the paper, based on Eurochambers survey. Survey has covered Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, FYR of Macedonia and Serbia and Montenegro. Special emphasis in the paper will be focused to the Croatian companies, due to the fact that is only Croatia official candidate country for EU from the Western Balkan region. According to the survey, Western Balkan companies need to catch up with their knowledge on regulatory requirements in the EU in order to fully realize the potential of the market. Despite the fact that the Union is a major export destination and companies are interested to intensify business relations, 28% have no information on EU legislation at all. The companies in the region are very much concerned about the negative impact that the recent enlargement of the EU may have on their business prospects but they feel fairly optimistic about the benefits of their own countries’ membership in the EU. 69% of respondents expect easier access to the EU markets. The survey also showed that Western Balkan companies trying to do business with their south-east European neighbors or with the EU Member States suffer from bureaucratic customs procedures and lack of mutually recognized certification bodies. Every second company, on average, said that very few of their employees are able to work in a foreign language and that they have only one e-mail account for the company. However, companies in the Western Balkans do appreciate the importance of training their staff in a variety of skills and of investing into internationally recognized quality certification. |
| Date: | 2005–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa05p226&r=tra |
| By: | Igor Stokoviæ |
| Abstract: | Croatia has a significant comparative advantage in tourism sector in terms of unspoilt nature, a unique geographic landscape with more than 1,000 islands, high quality and clarity of sea and friendliness of the local people. But after the deep fall in international arrivals and overnights during the war period, Croatia has achieved some before-war figures. During the period of the war, the main Croatia’s competitor evolved to meet changing consumer demands, investing in new infrastructure, diversifying their tourism products and strengthening their presence in markets were once Croatia’s main international sources. Croatia offers significant potential for development tourism in different segments like rural, wine, sport tourism, but also can meet the sophisticated demand of small elite group of tourist. In spite of a great potential, Croatia’s attractiveness to foreign direct investment was not very high. During the last ten years, tourism sector in Croatia has attracted about 3 per cent of total FDI. In this paper would be analyze the operating system and results of companies before and after FDI. |
| Date: | 2005–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa05p790&r=tra |
| By: | Lilia Maliar (Universidad de Alicante); Dmytro Kylymnyuk (Universidad de Alicante); Serguei Maliar (Universidad de Alicante) |
| Abstract: | This paper studies the implications of a dynamic general equilibrium model with three production sectors, which are agriculture, industry and services. Due to the assumption of increasing returns in industry and services, our model has multiple equilibria. Two equilibria are stable: one, in which a country produces only agricultural goods and converges to a steady state, and the other, in which a country operates all three sectors and has positive unbalanced long-run growth by contracting agriculture and expanding industry and services. These predictions agree well with the real-world development experiences of rich and poor countries. In the context of our model, we also investigate the evolution of the sectorial composition in the transition countries and find that such countries move to the rich rather than to the poor world. |
| Keywords: | Growth model, Increasing returns to scale, Agriculture, Industry, Services, Multiple equilibria, Transition economies |
| JEL: | F10 F12 O13 O30 O41 |
| Date: | 2005–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ivi:wpasad:2005-26&r=tra |
| By: | Mihails Hazans |
| Abstract: | This paper looks at the evolution of the labour markets in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania since the beginning of transition until 2003, with a particular focus on labour force participation. Do the marked differences in labour market policies between the countries result in different patterns of participation? What are the obstacles to and driving forces of participation? We find that relative contribution of participation and demographic trends to the dynamics of the labour force varied substantially both over the years and across the three countries. Participation, in turn, has been shaped by sometimes complicated interaction between educational choices, pension reform, policy changes, and external shocks. Resulting differences in trends and patterns are quite substantial, indicating that there is a room for increasing participation in each of the countries. Panel data analysis of determinants of participation and discouragement suggests that increasing after-tax real minimum wage has significant positive effect on participation and reduces discouragement in Lithuania. In Estonia, by contrast, positive effect of minimum wage on participation is found only for teenagers of both genders and for young males. Members of ethnic minorities, especially females, in all three Baltic countries are less likely to be in the labour force, other things equal. |
| Date: | 2005–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa05p344&r=tra |
| By: | Akos Jakobi |
| Abstract: | At the beginning of the 21st century ICT factors got growing importance in shaping regional differences in Hungary. Determining differences of ICT competitiveness became needful in analysing regional inequalities recently, however, according to some opinions there are ICT-like factors on the scene for longer time. Depending on theories and interpretations these factors are treated mainly as new although sometimes as traditional ones. In accordance with the generally accepted approaches ICT factors began to demonstrate their effects in the last decades. Other (wider) approaches on the contrary state that the most characteristic elements of ICT presented themselves earlier in determining regional differences that have been supplemented only with features of modern communication infrastructure. The paper focuses on measuring the spatial differentiating influence of ICT factors within Hungary. By the means of regression models it is presented what explanatory force can be connected to ICT factors in determining the level of regional competitiveness and development. In connection with the results the rank of regions could be revaluated in the socio-economic competition of the new century. |
| Date: | 2005–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa05p677&r=tra |
| By: | Daniela-Luminita Constantin; Luminita Nicolescu |
| Abstract: | This paper represents a part of the authors’ contribution to a study developed under the auspices of the European Institute in Romania included in the “Pre-Accession Impact Studies - PAIS II” series, funded by a Phare project. The study combines the aspects related to mechanisms, legislation, institutional and behavioural challenges with the quantitative and qualitative estimations of the external migration effects, in accordance with Romania’s preparations for accession to the EU. The main conclusion pointed out by the analysis of the institutional issues is that so far the measures which are adopted in Romania with regard to both legislation and institutional framework are rather reactive, aiming to ensure the adjustment to the EU requirements, than to design and follow a national migration policy with clear objectives. As it completes the creation of the legal-institutional framework according to the EU standards, Romania will concentrate on designing its own migration policy, convergent with those existing at European level. Moreover, the elaboration and adoption of laws, the creation of institutions, the development of corresponding strategies and policies represent major components of this process, but their success cannot be separated from the manner in which the involved actors –governmental institutions, non-governmental organizations, mass-media, communities, individuals – respond to the so-called “behavioural challenges”, related to participation, communication, mentalities and attitudes. The paper is organized as follows: first, an analysis of the integration mechanisms is provided, focusing on migration flows, specific mechanisms and institutional-legislative framework created in Romania for external migration administration. Second, the inquiry into the social-cultural dimension highlights the migrant’s profile (emigrant, immigrant), the issues related to the integration within the host country and the phenomenon perception by public opinion and mass-media. The entire paper supports the idea that with a careful, objective vision and proper management the future national migration policy may become a major catalyst, able to enhance a new economic prosperity in Romania. |
| Date: | 2005–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa05p107&r=tra |
| By: | Nagy Gábor |
| Abstract: | The change of political and economic regime after the State Socialist period (1948-1989) and forming a neo-liberal market economy changed the spatial structure of the country very rapidly. The winner of the new era became the capital city and its' surrounding (agglomeration zone), the Budapest-Vienna axis, and the Western border region. There were some other local success stories in the countyside, but they were unable form innovative, rapidly growing zones, just became islands (cathedrals in the desert, as Castells said in 1989). This limited number of success stories formed out two basically different types of restruction and modernisation. One was connected mainly to the capital city itself, characterised by the post-industrial way of development, strenghten with the dominant role of institutions and government. The other possible path of local and/or territorial success based on re-industrialisation with close connections to FDI in electronics and automobile industries. The worldwide stagnation period in 2000-2001 weaken their position, but in paralel with the beginning of the new growing period, this areas and cities were able to fasten the development again. The service activities had no specific role in the success of the countryside, however some university-towns, R@D centres had (and have) emerging potential to form a new way of success. The used model (potential-model) has close connection to the phisical analogy, but seems a very usfull tool to see and understand the spatial form of success regions, and change of economic key-indicators. We can characterize the different type of regions (NUTS 2 level), counties (NUTS 3 level) and small-regions (NUTS 4 level) and outpoint the inner structure of their economic potential. |
| Date: | 2005–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa05p211&r=tra |
| By: | Annekatrin Niebuhr |
| Abstract: | EU enlargement is supposed to entail profound impact on the location of economic activities in Europe. Although there is concern about the implications of enlargement for regional disparities in the EU, corresponding empirical results are still rare. The objective of this analysis is to provide empirical evidence on enlargement effects with a special focus on border regions in the EU27 since they are likely to play a critical role within the spatial dynamics initiated by integration. Departing from a three-region economic geography model we investigate whether changes in market access released by integration result in above-average integration benefits in internal border regions. |
| Date: | 2005–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa05p114&r=tra |
| By: | Gabriela Dragan |
| Abstract: | The paper intends to explain the relevance of the acquis communautaire on state aid in the context of Romanian regional policy-making. EU state aid regulations impose a number of restrictions on regional aid spending, which in their combination are intended to concentrate and modulate overall spending within priority areas. The paper reviews the Romanian legal, institutional and procedural frameworks on state aids and briefly analyses the main financial support schemes designed by the Romanian authorities to support regional development. The information presented in this paper are based on a more exhaustive research project which I coordinated in the framework of a Phare Project (see: Gabriela Dragan (coordinator), Isabela Atanasiu, “Romanian special development zones and EU state aid policy”, Pre-Accession Impact Studies, European Institute of Romania, www.ier.ro/studiiimpact.html) |
| Date: | 2005–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa05p153&r=tra |
| By: | István Balcsók; László Dancs; Gábor Koncz |
| Abstract: | The purpose of the presentation is to summarily describe the development of cross-border connections along the Hungarian-Romanian borderline from the democratic transformation to hitherto. This is one of the temporary external borders of the European Union and we intend to pay special attention to the development of effective cooperation accomplished in the immediate border region. The Hungarian-Romanian PHARE CBC program had/has a significant role in intensification of connections among people living on both sides of the border (e.g. to organize common educational, cultural, economic etc. programs, expert’s meetings, common investments), which extended the funding system of the EU for two non-member states at its startup (in 1996) in a unique way. For this reason the presentation focuses on the effects of those projects which were realized with the financial assistance of the Union and had significant influence on cross-border connections and makes an attempt to highlight the main features of prospective tendencies of cooperation. Beside the summary of the already terminated or proceeding common applications the perceptions of active Hungarian and Romanian participants about the activity of the application system will be mentioned as well. We’ll also focus on the results of a survey carried out among people living in the direct border, which summarize the opinions of local inhabitants about the characteristics and intensity of connection and the possibility of continuation of the development process. |
| Date: | 2005–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa05p301&r=tra |
| By: | Roy, Francine |
| Abstract: | Dans cet article, on décrit le commerce du Canada avec la Chine au cours des 15 dernières années à la lumière de la transformation des échanges de la Chine avec le reste du monde. |
| Keywords: | Commerce, Exportations, Commerce international, Importations |
| Date: | 2004–06–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:stc:stcp2f:2004007f&r=tra |
| By: | Miguel Roig-Alonso |
| Abstract: | The size and pattern of any public budget depend, among other factors, on the visibility of both the burdens and benefits of public revenue and expenditure. Furthermore, such visibility is a necessary - not a sufficient - condition for an efficient allocation of resources between the private and public sectors of an economy. The aim of this contribution, based on a recent research, is to apply fiscal visibility indicators to territorial government levels of new European Union member countries by using data and new qualitative information provided by the International Monetary Fund to draw relevant policy conclusions. Results obtained are particularly important for present and future European Union member countries aiming to make their respective fiscal systems converge for a better integration process, since significant allocation improvements can be obtained by implementing economic policy changes (public accounting systems, tax systems, public deficit management techniques...) in the new European Union member countries to raise both multiplicative and additive visibility values of public budget burdens and benefits and to bring them near to their optimal values. The proposed methodology, applied to former and new European Union member countries, can also be extended to other OECD economies to check whether the European Union pattern is shared by all developed countries and to design future general economic policies. |
| Date: | 2005–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa05p121&r=tra |