Suchergebnisse

AbstractThere has been a considerable amount of research into the growth of the Pacific island countries; however, there has been no attempt to identify episodes of growth (and non‐growth) and to identify and understand the factors behind these episodes. This narrative article examines the growth experiences of the eight small and micro states of the North and South Pacific that are members of the World Bank. The experience of Samoa and Vanuatu supports the idea that economic reform can lead to growth spurts. Overall, the narratives suggest that unless aid leads to changes in institutions and policies, it does not have long‐lasting positive growth impacts. As experience in the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands appears to show, substantial aid may raise Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth for short periods, but may well have very adverse impacts over the long run.

[Introduction]: This paper examines the causes of financial crises, the function and design of SAPs, the forms of assistance provided by the IMF and the World Bank, and the experience with SAPs in Papua New Guinea and elsewhere.

Introduction : Kumul Scholars International (KSI) is a non-political association of Papua New Guinean Scholars in Australia established in 1998. It has a broad mission of contributing towards the enhancement of national consciousness on issues of national interest and development in Papua New Guinea (PNG). In line with this broad mission, a tradition was established whereby an annual convention is held for the PNG scholars to interact, share ideas and discuss issues of interest and importance to Papua New Guinea. Since its inception, two conventions were held in Brisbane and Armidale in 1998 and 2000, respectively. KSI conventions have the main objective of contributing to the intellectual development of individuals and making active contributions towards the development of PNG. This is particularly important because KSI has the potential to build bridges between the less fortunate, the less informed and the growing class of educated élites through its membership. The future of Papua New Guinea is no doubt entrusted in the hands of this cadre of citizens. Accordingly, KSI sees its role in providing the stewardship needed to mould them into responsible custodians of PNG's heritage and future.

[Conclusion]: Five major outcomes and the way forward for the Kumul Scholar International (KSI) The following are the five major outcomes from the discussions that the participants felt were crucial for understanding the SAP as a program,its impacts in Papua New Guinea and what can be done by the KSI as the way forward. 1. Countries are developed by a core group of technocrats shielded by leadership. This enables home grown and owned reforms through this group. KSI should initiate and continue communication and dialogue with technocrats, politicians, private business, academics and graduate students both within Papua New Guinea and overseas through its activities such as KSI 2002 Conference the annual conference and a KSI alumnus organisation in Papua New Guinea. 2. Information is vital for development. Misinformation and lack of proper awareness is a recipe for disaster. KSI should establish a website to disseminate information and continue to organise and participate in public forums and conferences in Australia and Papua New Guinea. 3. Papua New Guinea's problems have been a creeping crisis— high debt to increasing debt to disaster (3 Ds). The international donor community led by the World Bank and IMF's intervention through SAPs in Papua New Guinea were reactions to requests from PNG during moments of crisis. It would be much better for Papua New Guinea to introduce such reforms voluntarily and intentionally during relatively stable periods. 4. Political economy matters as to who benefits and who loses from reforms. Thus reform is difficult, as power play is inevitable. Coalition governments are not conducive to structural reforms. National interests can be comprised through the pursuit of political interest and personal interests during the design and implementation of reform programs such as the SAP. The public's access to information is hampered by a high rate of illiteracy and poor channels of communication. Thus, greater use and abuse of power by the minority who have access to information makes transparency and accountability of reforms difficult in Papua New Guinea. 5. Appropriate and efficient institutional development. This included institutions for human resource development, property rights and contract enforcement. Human resources are important. Recent public sector reforms have shown the severity of the human resource and capacity difficulties facing the nation. While investing in human resources, institutions that define property rights and enforce contracts are needed. The PNG constitution provides the framework for development.

Agriculture and Food Security in China -- CONTENTS -- ABBREVIATIONS -- CONTRIBUTORS -- PREFACE -- 1. Achieving food security in China -- 2. Agricultural development and policy before and after China's WTO accession -- 3. China's WTO accession -- 4. Rural-urban income disparity and WTO impact on China's agricultural sector -- 5. The impact of WTO accession on China's agricultural sector -- 6. The impact of China's WTO accession on regional economies -- 7. WTO accession and food security in China -- 8. Revisiting the economic costs of food self-sufficiency in China -- 9. Trade reform in the short run -- 10. Trade reform, macroeconomic policy and sectoral labour movement in China -- 11. China's agricultural trade following its WTO accession -- 12. Agricultural trade between China and ASEAN -- 13. The economic impact of the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area -- Index.

China's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) has had profound consequences for the structure of its economy, and there will many more before the full benefits of an open trading regime will be realised. Agriculture and Food Security in China explains the background to China's WTO accession and links accession to reforms beginning as far back as 1979. The book highlights China's policymakers' decision to move away from protectionism and gain self-sufficiency, and illustrates how China's step away from direct participation in the agricultural sector to indirect regulatory involvement and liberalisation could encourage further economic growth.

Yet not all economic growth is cost-free. Agriculture and Food Security in China explores the short-term impacts of WTO accession as well as the mid and long-term implications of greater market involvement at an economy-wide and regional level. Growing divides between coastal and inland regions—and differences in rural and urban growth—will require a better understanding of the consequences of greater market dependency.

Agriculture and Food Security in China adds to the existing knowledge of China's agricultural growth as well as the impacts and interrelationships between WTO accession and China's participation in other regional free trade agreements.

AbstractThe paper discusses the problems that have plagued service delivery in Papua New Guinea—both over the long term and with the rollout of the District Development Authority Act of 2014. Various principal/agent and moral hazard problems are identified as well as the persistent poor delivery of national government funds to the local level; the difficulty of recruiting civil service skills into positions in local‐level government; and confirmation that the power to make decisions at the district level remains much the same as before with the composition and influence of the District Development Authority Boards little changed from the former arrangements. Looking at service delivery from a supply–demand perspective, ways are suggested in which improvements may be realised. It appears more likely that improvements will come from an emphasis on increasing the demand for better governance of service delivery rather than from continuing to seek improvements in the supply side of service delivery.