New Philippines auto policy unlikely to achieve aims

2016 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Industrial Policy ◽  
Economic Activity ◽  
Development Planning ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Policy Initiative ◽  
Content Type ◽  
2016 Election ◽  
Automotive Production ◽  
The Government ◽  
New Jobs

Subject Philippines automobile sector expansion efforts. Significance The Comprehensive Automotive Resurgence Strategy (CARS) became active on January 3, following its announcement by the trade and industry department (DTI) and release of the implementing rules and regulations in 2015. CARS is the most ambitious industrial policy initiative of President Benigno Aquino's administration, seeking to turn the Philippines from a vehicles importer into a regional automotive production hub. Impacts The DTI hopes for 6.4 billion dollars in new economic activity from CARS, and up to 200,000 new jobs. CARS is unlikely to be a 2016 election issue, or to be reversed after Aquino's administration ends in May. The government will need to factor increasing auto usage into its development planning, perhaps requiring new roads.

Labour will pose hurdles to South Africa auto sector

2015 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Oil Prices ◽  
Development Programme ◽  
Final Decision ◽  
Automotive Sector ◽  
Policy Initiative ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Petrol Price ◽  
Automotive Production ◽  
The Government ◽  
Special Meeting

Subject South Africa's automobile sector. Significance The automotive sector is one of South Africa's largest industries, generating 7% of GDP and 11% of exports -- and is thus a critical foreign exchange earner. The government and vehicle manufacturers aim to increase production to 1.2 million units per year by 2020 (from around 566,000) through an industrial policy initiative, the Automotive Production and Development Programme (APDP). Impacts A final decision on metalworkers union NUMSA's expulsion from union federation COSATU is likely to be made at a special meeting in July. If this happens, COSATU's role in the auto industry could be maintained by a new affiliate -- the Liberated Metalworkers Union (LIMUSA). However, competition between LIMUSA and NUMSA for members could drive higher wage demands and militant strike action. The fuel levy hike announced in the February budget speech is likely to offset the effect of lower global oil prices on the petrol price.

Vietnamese industrial development: following Washington on the road to Beijing

2019 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Rodolfo Di Tommaso ◽  
Antonio Angelino
Keyword(s):  
Industrial Policy ◽  
Policy Making ◽  
Industrial Development ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Policy Formulation ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Depth Analysis ◽  
The Government ◽  
On The Road

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the main features of the Vietnamese economic transition and industrial development pattern analyzing the evolution of the industrial policy formulation in the light of the changes in the country’s productive specialization and competitive position in the international division of labor. The authors also aim at stressing the role exerted by different external paradigm of influence on the Vietnamese policy making and the function of selectivity as an instrument to upgrade the competitiveness of the Vietnamese production system. Design/methodology/approach The paper provides a descriptive analysis of the Vietnamese recent economic trends and structural transformation dynamics. It realizes a literature review concerning the academic debate on the role and the effects of industrial policy in Vietnam identifying a categorization between different theoretical perspectives. In addition, it implements an in-depth analysis of the main industrial planning strategies promoted by the government investigating the evolution of the lines of the country’s economic policy agenda. On the basis of the previous analyses, the paper draws out some conclusions about the application of selective criteria in Vietnamese industrial policy interventions. Findings An in-depth examination of the planning prescriptions suggests that the Vietnamese government has undertaken a pronounced paradigm change in the course of last 15 years. The Vietnamese planning approach displays a shift toward a systematic and extended vision concerning the role of industrial policy, which result to be in clear discontinuity with respect to the market-friendly approach supported by Washington institutions. Nevertheless, this configuration outlines several limits characterizing the Vietnamese planning activity, connected to the lack of transparency and efficiency of the governance mechanisms that risk to undermine the effectiveness of the upgrading policies. Originality/value The paper focuses on Vietnam, an emerging economy in transition whose development trajectory has been characterized by peculiar economic and policy dynamics. The hybrid character of the government policy-making approach makes it difficult to identify univocal interpretations concerning the country’s industrial development dynamics and the resulting policy implications. In this perspective, the analysis has shed light on the mechanisms conditioning the formulation of industrial policy in Vietnam, focusing on the external influences exerted on its definition and on the domestic interactions associated to its implementation.

Prospects for Argentina in 2017

2016 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Economic Activity ◽  
Rapid Recovery ◽  
First Year ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Government

Subject Prospects for Argentina in 2017. Significance The government has placed its hopes on a rapid recovery in economic activity and investment after admitting that many indicators have deteriorated in its first year in office. However, while there are some signs of macroeconomic stabilisation, these have yet to be felt at the popular level.

China job market risks go beyond unemployment

2015 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
Labour Market ◽  
Unemployment Rate ◽  
Economic Uncertainty ◽  
Job Market ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Market Risks ◽  
Entrepreneurial Spirit ◽  
The Government ◽  
New Jobs

Subject Labour market conditions in China. Significance China’s official unemployment rate in 2014 was 4.09%, up from 4.05% in 2013. For the three previous years, it had stood still at exactly 4.10%. These implausible data give the illusion of stability during a period of slowing growth and economic uncertainty, and obscure a complex and volatile labour market that now presents a serious challenge to the government. The government is well aware of the pressures on the labour market and has stated its intention to create 10 million new jobs this year. Impacts Fewer young people will enter the workforce, and those who do will have much higher expectations. An older workforce means higher wage demands and the payment of pensions and medical insurance. China will have to find suitable employment for an increasing number of graduates; 7.5 million this year alone. Vocational and on-the-job training will have to revamped and invigorated to meet the demands of both employers and employees. The government's reliance on 'entrepreneurial spirit' to create new jobs could create more social tension.

Libya’s Haftar may use Egypt ties to bolster his power

2019 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Economic Activity ◽  
Prime Minister ◽  
National Government ◽  
Significant Deterioration ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Government

Significance Both have refused to reconcile fully with the internationally-recognised national government in Tripoli, the Government of National Accord (GNA), led by Prime Minister Fayez al-Serraj. Relations between Egypt and Libya have important economic and security dimensions but suffered during the rule of former Libyan leader Muammar al-Qadhafi (in power 1969-2011). Impacts Trade and economic activity between Egypt and Libya will grow, despite Libya’s political troubles. A significant deterioration in security along the Egyptian-Libyan border is unlikely. Qatar and Turkey may yet make new efforts to counterbalance Egypt’s approach in Libya.

Cambodia education reform could help investors

2016 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Education Reform ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Training And Education ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Automobile Assembly ◽  
The World Bank ◽  
The Government ◽  
Garment Manufacturing ◽  
New Jobs

Subject Education reform, labour supply and economic development in Cambodia. Significance Legislators passed the 2017 budget on November 22 with spending increases on vocational training and education. The government plans to move Cambodia into the upper-middle-income category (as defined by the World Bank) by 2030. This will require economic diversification, particularly away from agriculture and reliance on low-skilled garment manufacturing toward higher value-added activities such as automobile assembly and semiconductor production. This will need progressively more skilled labour, requiring education reforms. Impacts Improving Cambodia's skills base could attract more foreign investment and new jobs. US abandonment of the Trans-Pacific Partnership will reduce competition facing Cambodian manufacturing, for now. As economic opportunities develop, inward migration is possible, requiring urban and rural planning.

Mining takes on renewed importance in Ecuador

2015 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Investment ◽  
Economic Activity ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Mining Sector ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Public Revenue ◽  
The Government ◽  
Laws And Policies ◽  
Mine Development ◽  
Increased Activity

Subject The mining outlook in Ecuador. Significance The collapse of world oil prices has forced the government of President Rafael Correa to search for new sources of public revenue and foreign investment. The mining sector, which remains underdeveloped, has the potential to make significant contributions on both of these fronts. Reflecting the growing importance of the sector, the government has a created a Mining Ministry and appointed a mining minister. While numerous challenges continue to face the industry, it has shown signs of increased activity in the opening six months of the year. Impacts Opponents of mining development will attempt to impede medium and large-scale projects, through the courts and on the streets. Changes to water laws and policies will face opposition due to fears they may facilitate mine development and threaten water supplies. While investment in the mining sector will boost economic activity, the economy will expand more slowly than expected in 2015.

US foreign policy differences to sharpen in 2019

2018 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Foreign Policy ◽  
Public Opinion ◽  
The United States ◽  
Us Foreign Policy ◽  
Election Campaign ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Terrorism Threat ◽  
2016 Election ◽  
The Government

Significance Trump entered office deeply sceptical of the importance of wars in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan, but his critics say his troop-withdrawal announcements are timed to distract US public opinion from the Mueller probe into his administration and 2016 election campaign. Other critics -- some of them otherwise Trump’s allies, including Republican senators -- fear the troop withdrawals will raise the terrorism threat facing the United States. Impacts A government shutdown tonight would see a further push for continuing resolutions to fund the government, pending further talks. Mattis had been a quasi-envoy to US defence partners in Asia; they will be concerned by his departure. Resurgence of terrorism in Syria or Afghanistan could undermine Trump politically, if the threat facing the United States rises. Republican Senate control should help Mattis’s replacement get confirmed more easily.

Challenges mount as Panama’s Varela enters final year

2018 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Supreme Court ◽  
Economic Activity ◽  
Port City ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Free Zone ◽  
Policy Goals ◽  
Legislative Agenda ◽  
The Government

Subject Presidential difficulties. Significance President Juan Carlos Varela’s position is becoming increasingly weak as he approaches his final year in office. Not only have protests against him shut down the port city of Colon, but the congressional opposition is mounting an attempt to take control of the legislative agenda. Alongside ongoing allegations of links to various corruption scandals, Varela will have little leeway to make progress on his policy goals ahead of elections in May 2019. Impacts The CD and PRD are aligned against the government but this alliance will splinter closer to the elections in 2019. The new credentials commission will likely appoint new Supreme Court justices sympathetic to the opposition. Any further protests have the potential to disrupt supplies to and from the Colon Free Zone, weighing on economic activity.

Turkish government aims to promote domestic production

2018 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Industrial Policy ◽  
Current Account Deficit ◽  
Development Plan ◽  
Foreign Investors ◽  
Domestic Production ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Turkish Government ◽  
Innovation And Technology ◽  
The Government ◽  
Industry Policy

Subject The Eleventh Development Plan for 2019-23. Significance A key aim of the next development plan will be to reduce import dependency. The government has been paying more attention to industrial policy as a way of reducing the wide structural current account deficit and related financial and economic risks. Impacts Incentives aimed at cutting imports will create both opportunities for foreign investors and risks for those exporting goods to Turkey. In some branches of industry, policy may become nationalistic, and companies with strong links to the government could benefit most. For growth and foreign balances, stimulating domestic production may be less important than encouraging innovation and technology.

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