EconStor Community: Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI), Tokyo
http://hdl.handle.net/10419/53142
Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI), Tokyo2024-03-19T04:51:49ZTo borrow or not to borrow: Empirical evidence from the public debt sustainability of Pakistan
http://hdl.handle.net/10419/272897
Title: To borrow or not to borrow: Empirical evidence from the public debt sustainability of Pakistan
Authors: Islam, Wajid; Ahmed, Junaid; Faraz, Naseem
Abstract: This study aims to evaluate the public debt sustainability of Pakistan using the debt sustainability analysis (DSA) framework and fiscal reaction function (FRF). For the empirical analysis, it uses relevant important macroeconomic variables, such as public debt, external debt, primary balance, output growth, current account balance, and oil prices, over the period 1976-2021. The results of the DSA suggest that, at the 10% growth rate with a real interest rate lower than 10%, the public debt level can be brought under the 60% standard sustainable limit from the current 80% by the year 2030. Furthermore, the estimates of the FRF reveal no evidence of debt sustainability. Besides this, the COVID-19 pandemic is positively associated with the primary balance mainly due to the decrease in the primary balance from -3.5% in 2019 to -0.9% in 2020. This is expected as a large amount of debt relief was provided to Pakistan during this period. Overall, our findings indicate that, if the rapid debt accumulation trend continues, the country will be unable to bear such a hefty load of ballooning debt. Therefore, a strategy of continuing coordination of fiscal and monetary policy is crucial for robust growth momentum to keep the debt sustainable.2023-01-01T00:00:00ZTechnology, innovation, and firm competitiveness: Firm level analysis in Cambodia
http://hdl.handle.net/10419/272896
Title: Technology, innovation, and firm competitiveness: Firm level analysis in Cambodia
Authors: Hing Vutha; Shandre Mugan Thangavelu; Kong, Ratha
Abstract: The paper examines the innovation and competitiveness of firms, especially with regard to the channels of technology transfer and the nature of innovation activities that influence firm performance in the Cambodian economy. Despite the growing importance of innovation, there has been no empirical analysis of the factors affecting technological and innovative development and the impact that these factors have on firms' productivity in Cambodia. We use the World Bank Enterprise Survey (WBES) for Cambodian enterprises for our empirical implementation. The results of the research indicate that overseas linkages that include both upstream and downstream activities could affect productivity growth at both firm and industry levels. We also find that technology and innovation have a positive impact on the productivity of firms in Cambodia.2023-01-01T00:00:00ZBenchmarking adoption of e-commerce across the G20 members
http://hdl.handle.net/10419/272898
Title: Benchmarking adoption of e-commerce across the G20 members
Authors: Goyal, Tanu M.; Morgan, Peter J.
Abstract: The COVID-19 situation has accelerated the adoption of e-commerce across the world. While, globally, there has been an increase in the share of e-commerce in total retail sales, there are variations in e-commerce adoption across countries and the difference is obtrusive when one compares developed countries and emerging market economies. This paper undertakes a comparative assessment of e-commerce adoption by the G20 countries and, in doing so, it benchmarks the G20 members across different indicators that determine e-commerce adoption. Based on secondary data, the paper presents some stylized facts, discusses the regulatory scenario with respect to e-commerce in G20 countries and identifies key constraints to e-commerce adoption in the comparatively poor performers. It is found that, overall, most emerging market economies are not very well prepared to support e-commerce adoption. Rather, compared to the developed countries, emerging market economies perform poorly on indicators related to access and use of digital technology, financial inclusion, postal reliability, and electronic security. The paper found that the emerging market economies are severely affected by inadequate infrastructure, digital illiteracy, and low use of digital payments by enterprises. Whereas there is no dearth of regulations on e-commerce business, nevertheless a uniform approach for regulating e-commerce operations is missing in the case of some countries. Moreover, different countries have different positions with respect to data privacy and protection. The paper recommends that G20 members should work together to bridge the adoption gap, enhance micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) participation in e-commerce through enhanced financial assistance, build cooperation for adopting common standards, and encourage countries to adopt national policies with the vision to promote e-commerce.2023-01-01T00:00:00ZDevelopment of capitals and capabilities of smallholder farmers for promoting inclusive intensification in agriculture: Experiences from northern West Bengal, India
http://hdl.handle.net/10419/272899
Title: Development of capitals and capabilities of smallholder farmers for promoting inclusive intensification in agriculture: Experiences from northern West Bengal, India
Authors: Mishra, Pulak; Behera, Bhagirath; Bagchi, Niladri Sekhar; Pariaare, Bidur; Reddy, V. Ratna; Tallapragada, Chiranjeevi; Majumdar, Subrata; Rahut, Dil Bahadur
Abstract: While policies and institutional arrangements aimed at intensification and growth of the Indian agriculture sector are inevitable for the livelihoods and food security of the country's vast population, the inclusion of land-constrained farmers especially women, therein requires certain fundamental changes in the approaches. Efforts toward such changes based on a deeper understanding of the underlying issues and dynamics seem to be more pertinent, particularly at the onset of various crises in the sector and measures undertaken by the government to address the same. This paper analyzes the experiences of interventions in two selected villages in West Bengal and the subsequent changes in farming practices by land-constrained farmers therein to design a framework aimed at strengthening the institutional approach. Using insights from focus group discussions, open interviews, field observations, and repeated engagement with the stakeholders, this paper argues that while collectivization of resources and actions can potentially lead to the inclusion of smallholder farmers and women in the intensification process, benefitting from the opportunities under the changing socioeconomic environment would require the development of the necessary capacities and capabilities of the farmers. Further, such capital formation and capability building through the process of ethical engagement with the community would also be crucial to overcome various constraints, particularly with regard to the scale of farming, market access, bargaining power, and risk-bearing ability. Nevertheless, continuation of the supporting incentives and related institutional reforms would be essential in this regard.2023-01-01T00:00:00Z