scholarly journals The Changing Dynamics of Chinese Oil and Gas Engagements in Africa

Author(s):  
Cyril Obi

This chapter examines the changing patterns of Chinese state oil corporations’ engagements with African petro-states through investments in the upstream and downstream oil and gas sectors, and their potential for Africa’s development within the context of evolving China–Africa relations. It conceptually frames such relations, analyzes the contextual shifts and interests involved, and cautions against rather alarmist or biased readings of China–Africa relations that neglect or gloss over the ‘facts on the ground’ and specificities. It also unpacks the notion of African agency in the context of Africa–China economic relations, particularly in the ways Chinese state oil corporations operating in Africa’s oilfields—traditionally dominated by Western oil multinationals—have been exposed to opportunities, risks, structural challenges, and regulation by African petro-states. This provides a sound basis for understanding how lessons learnt and experiences on both sides define the place of China–Africa oil engagements as a key element for potential economic transformation.

Author(s):  
G. Z. Yuzbashieva ◽  
A. M. Mustafayev ◽  
R. A. Imanov

The indicators that determine the change in the macroeconomic situation in the economy of Azerbaijan in 2010–2017, as well as the conditions for increasing the effectiveness of state intervention in solving economic problems are analyzed. It is noted that it is not the size of the public sector that becomes important, but its qualitative component (management and redistribution of resources and revenues, coordination of government intervention in economic relations). The main reasons limiting economic growth are identified, and the mechanisms for overcoming them are disclosed, since economic growth is of particular importance in the transformational period of state development. It substantiates the assertion that the forms and methods of state regulation should be the result of a reasonable combination of the private and public sectors of the economy to more effectively achieve the goal of economic development of the country and increase the welfare of the population. To this end, it is advisable to limit the actions of market forces and find a rational ratio of market and government measures that stimulate economic growth and development.It is shown that in the near future the development of the economy of Azerbaijan should be focused on the transition to the integration of various models of economic transformation; at the same time, “attraction of investments” should be carried out by methods of stimulating consumption, and the concept of a socially oriented economy, which the state also implements, should prevail, thereby ensuring social protection of the population and at the same time developing market relations. Disproportions in regional and sectoral development are also noted, which are the result of an ineffective distribution of goods produced, inadequate investment in human capital, a low level of coordination and stimulation of economic growth and development.


1934 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 210-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frederick L. Schuman

In dealing with the evolution of political thought, most historians and social scientists, until recently at least, have tended to view political behavior and the changing patterns of power in society as rational implementations of dynamic ideas. They have accordingly concerned themselves more with the development of abstract philosophical systems than with the social-psychological contexts conditioning this development. To other observers, more Marxian than Hegelian in their outlook, all political ideas are but reflections of the economic interests and class ideologies of the various strata of society. This school therefore probes for the secrets of political and social change, not in the surface phenomena of ideas, but in the progress of technology and in the shifting economic relations of groups and classes within the social hierarchy. Still others, few in number as yet, have adopted Freud as their guide.


Author(s):  
Paweł Bożyk

The rapid economic transformation in Central and Eastern Europe, modelled on Western economies and based, in some aspects, on neoliberal principles, Has found the region’s countries to a bigger (Eastern European countries) or lesser (Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary) degree unprepared. The resulting economic recession, especially in Russia, has had an adverse effect on mutual trade between Poland and Russia. In order to improve economic relations with Russia and increase the trade volume, Poland, remaining within the bounds of EU standards and regulations, needs to adapt the commodity structure of Polish exports to the needs of the Russian market.


Author(s):  
Alan S. Weber

Due to the continued high price of oil and gas, the oil-rich State of Qatar has used its large budget surpluses in the last decade to finance human capacity development, including research, higher education, and the reshaping of its K-12 educational system. This chapter argues that the recent substantial educational reforms in the State of Qatar are closely intertwined with planned future economic transformation (diversification). Although Qatar possesses the world's third largest reserves of natural gas, this resource is ultimately finite and over-reliance on one major economic driver (hydrocarbons) for the bulk of GDP creates boom and bust cycles that have shaped Gulf politics and social development since the 1970s. This chapter examines Qatar's educational efforts to build a knowledge economy to transition away from a resource-rich export-based hydrocarbon economy towards economic activities linked to patents, research, trademarked technologies, skills, and knowledge products.


2015 ◽  
pp. 818-839 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan S. Weber

Due to the continued high price of oil and gas, the oil-rich State of Qatar has used its large budget surpluses in the last decade to finance human capacity development, including research, higher education, and the reshaping of its K-12 educational system. This chapter argues that the recent substantial educational reforms in the State of Qatar are closely intertwined with planned future economic transformation (diversification). Although Qatar possesses the world's third largest reserves of natural gas, this resource is ultimately finite and over-reliance on one major economic driver (hydrocarbons) for the bulk of GDP creates boom and bust cycles that have shaped Gulf politics and social development since the 1970s. This chapter examines Qatar's educational efforts to build a knowledge economy to transition away from a resource-rich export-based hydrocarbon economy towards economic activities linked to patents, research, trademarked technologies, skills, and knowledge products.


2000 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 126
Author(s):  
C.F. Webb

Esso Australia Pty Ltd, on behalf of the Esso/BHP Petroleum Joint Venture, recently completed Australia’s first deepwater oil and gas subsea development, Blackback, in Bass Strait. The project consisted of fabrication and installation of new facilities for the existing Mackerel platform, fabrication and installation of a 23 km pipeline and the installation of three subsea wells. The facilities were installed injury-free. This paper focusses on the application of safety systems to achieve this result.The Project.The vision of a zero Total Recordable Injury (TRI)-free workplace.Management commitment and leadership.Application of effective safety management systems.Empowering safety leadership.Taking the Blackback story further.Safety performance and other business outcomes.Conclusions/accomplishments lessons learnt and recommendations.


2008 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 215-217 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela V. Carter

Escaping the Resource Curse, Macartan Humphreys, Jeffrey D. Sachs and Joseph E. Stiglitz, eds., Foreword by George Soros; New York: Columbia University Press, 2007, pp. xviii, 408.Escaping the Resource Curse provides economic and political analysis of resource curse theories as well as practical policy advice to governments on managing oil and gas developments. Twelve chapters by natural resource specialists from multiple disciplines discuss a broad range of oil and gas development issues in three sections, “Dealing with Oil Corporations,” “Managing the Macroeconomy,” and “Handling the Politics.” Beyond the specific policy advice elaborated in detail throughout (relating primarily to transparency), the book succeeds in its accessible analysis of resource curse theories and state-industry tensions as well as its reinterpretation of oil wealth.


Author(s):  
Tatiana Kanyeva

Relevance of the research topic. The implementation of an effective budget policy for the formation and implementation of the budget in the system of financial and economic relations plays an important role in the process of regulating the socio-economic development of the country. In the conditions of transformational transformations, budget policy is an important tool for the influence of public administration bodies on socio-economic processes. Improving the soundness of fiscal policy requires the application of a systematic approach given the importance of development and coordination of financial and budgetary institutions. Formulation of the problem. The importance of budget policy development in the conditions of transformational transformations is conditioned by the necessity of substantiation of conceptual provisions of coordination of components of financial and budgetary policy taking into account dynamism and cyclicity of economic processes. At the same time, when forming and executing the budget in order to ensure dynamic balance, an important condition is compliance with the principles of transformation, which determine the basic model of ensuring financial and budgetary stability and balance. Analysis of recent research and publications. The issue of budget policy development is quite common in research. These are the works of famous domestic and foreign scientists: J. Keynes, P. Samuelson, J. Stiglitz, S. Kucherenko, L. Lysyak, L. Levaeva, I. Lukyanenko, V. Makogon, M. Pasichny, I. Chugunov and others. Selection of unexplored parts of the general problem. The above issues are relevant in connection with the deepening of the processes of transformation. An important task is to increase the stability of the budget system, which will help create conditions for macroeconomic stability and sustainable economic growth. It is advisable to develop tools for budget regulation. Problem statement, research goals. The objectives of the study are: to reveal the role of budget policy of economic growth, to substantiate the peculiarities of the formation and implementation of budget policy. Carry out an analysis and assessment of the revenue and expenditure side of the state budget. The purpose of the study is to reveal the directions of budget policy in the conditions of transformational transformations. Method or methodology of the study. The article uses a set of research methods: a systematic approach, statistical analysis, structuring, analysis, synthesis, etc. Presentation of the main material (results of work). The role of budget policy of economic growth is revealed, the peculiarities of formation and implementation of budget policy are substantiated. The directions of budget policy in the conditions of transformational transformations are substantiated. Field of application of results. The results of the study can be used in the process of formation and implementation of financial and budgetary policy of Ukraine, reforming the public finance system and its components. Conclusions in accordance with the article. Fiscal policy is an effective tool of macroeconomic regulation, volatility of economic development and dynamism of social processes determines the need to develop new approaches to budget formation and implementation in the system of financial and economic relations in order to strengthen the regulatory financial and budgetary mechanism to stimulate economic growth. It is important to have a mutually agreed combination of components of the financial and budgetary mechanism, which will help optimize the budget architecture and ensure the innovative direction of economic development. The main prerequisites for ensuring a quality level of budget architecture are the effectiveness of approaches to institutional support for the development of the budget environment.


Subject Thailand-Cambodia economic relations. Significance The scheduled completion of a Thai-Cambodian railway link in early 2017 is viewed in both countries as the symbol of a new phase in bilateral economic cooperation. The end goal is negotiation on joint development of the 27,000-square-kilometre Overlapping Claims Area (OCA) in the northern Gulf of Thailand, which is believed to be rich in oil and gas. Impacts Joint exploration in the Gulf of Thailand would take years. Nonetheless, the agreement would be a major symbolic gain for both sides. Regional infrastructure connectivity projects would improve economic prospects for mainland South-east Asia.


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