Somalia faces long road to economic reconstruction

Significance Despite the government’s genuine efforts to implement policy reforms, low to non-existent institutional capacity will continue to impede the emergence of a more formalised economic system. Immediate challenges include increasing government revenue and rebuilding the financial sector to support public services and private sector expansion. However, the government will face stiff opposition from the small but powerful unregulated business sector, who want to maintain tax-free operations. Impacts Built-up salary arrears from successive over-optimistic budgets may jeopardise the hard-won security gains needed to reap peace dividends. Agreements by airlines and telecoms to pay taxes could weaken the position of other hitherto uncooperative sectors. Somalia’s last place in the World Bank’s doing business rankings obscures the potential of the vibrant private sector.

Significance Morocco’s reputation among international investors as one of the region’s more business-friendly locations has been underlined by a steady rise in the World Bank’s ‘Doing Business’ rankings. The government has sought to reinforce this through the latest budget, including tax cuts for domestic industries. Beyond that, it also includes increases in spending on health and education, as well the creation of a special fund for small businesses. Rabat plans to issue a sovereign bond in the next few weeks to bolster foreign exchange reserves and to finance part of the deficit. Impacts The boost to health and education is in keeping with the king’s recent call for economic policies that will reduce social inequality. The bond issue will offer an acceptable level of risk for most prospective investors. Popular perceptions of a rigged system, despite positive indications of economic performance, may drive further protests.


Significance A lagging economy, declining global commodity prices and the crippling corruption crisis affecting state-owned oil giant Petrobras (estimated at 17 billion dollars in losses) have compelled the government to travel the world seeking investments. This combination has transformed what Brasilia had expected to be a revenue windfall into a shortfall, persuading the formerly inward-looking government to pursue external investment sources, including the US private sector and other BRICS countries. Impacts Brazil's current woes may represent an opportunity for foreign investors. However, the Petrobras scandal will continue to undermine investor sentiment. Current private forecasts point to recession both this year and next. Corruption claims could yet put the government at risk.


Subject Indonesia's new shipping decree and ease of doing business. Significance Darmin Nasution, the coordinating minister for economic affairs, last month chaired a meeting to discuss strategies for improving Indonesia’s position in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business rankings. Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita announced in February that a new shipping decree requiring Indonesian rather than foreign vessels to export coal and crude palm oil, due to come into effect later this month, would be enforced only after the government and shipping sector were “ready”. Impacts Besides initiating regulatory and trade reforms, Jakarta will seek to reduce bureaucratic obstacles. New customs regulations may help to reduce cargo ships’ ‘dwell time’ in port. Expanding port infrastructure will be key to Indonesia’s vision of being at the fulcrum of a global ‘maritime axis’.


Significance Although President Cyril Ramaphosa has publicly committed to increase funding to combat what he calls South Africa’s “second pandemic”, there is a lack of transparency in how the government disburses funds linked to its National Strategic Plan (NSP) on Gender-based Violence and Femicide. Impacts Civil society groups will increase pressure on the government to make expenditure on GBV programmes more transparent. A new private-sector fund to contribute to the NSP has received strong early support, but its management structure is opaque. High levels of GBV will not only have significant humanitarian and social costs but may deter much-needed foreign investment.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruchi Mittal ◽  
Wasim Ahmed ◽  
Amit Mittal ◽  
Ishan Aggarwal

Purpose Using data from Twitter, the purpose of this paper is to assess the coping behaviour and reactions of social media users in response to the initial days of the COVID-19-related lockdown in different parts of the world. Design/methodology/approach This study follows the quasi-inductive approach which allows the development of pre-categories from other theories before the sampling and coding processes begin, for use in those processes. Data was extracted using relevant keywords from Twitter, and a sample was drawn from the Twitter data set to ensure the data is more manageable from a qualitative research standpoint and that meaningful interpretations can be drawn from the data analysis results. The data analysis is discussed in two parts: extraction and classification of data from Twitter using automated sentiment analysis; and qualitative data analysis of a smaller Twitter data sample. Findings This study found that during the lockdown the majority of users on Twitter shared positive opinions towards the lockdown. The results also found that people are keeping themselves engaged and entertained. Governments around the world have also gained support from Twitter users. This is despite the hardships being faced by citizens. The authors also found a number of users expressing negative sentiments. The results also found that several users on Twitter were fence-sitters and their opinions and emotions could swing either way depending on how the pandemic progresses and what action is taken by governments around the world. Research limitations/implications The authors add to the body of literature that has examined Twitter discussions around H1N1 using in-depth qualitative methods and conspiracy theories around COVID-19. In the long run, the government can help citizens develop routines that help the community adapt to a new dangerous environment – this has very effectively been shown in the context of wildfires in the context of disaster management. In the context of this research, the dominance of the positive themes within tweets is promising for policymakers and governments around the world. However, sentiments may wish to be monitored going forward as large-spikes in negative sentiment may highlight lockdown-fatigue. Social implications The psychology of humans during a pandemic can have a profound impact on how COVID-19 shapes up, and this shall also include how people behave with other people and with the larger environment. Lockdowns are the opposite of what societies strive to achieve, i.e. socializing. Originality/value This study is based on original Twitter data collected during the initial days of the COVID-19-induced lockdown. The topic of “lockdowns” and the “COVID-19” pandemic have not been studied together thus far. This study is highly topical.


2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 594-600 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandeep Goel

Purpose This paper aims to focus on the concept of abolition of black money and the demonetization movement started in India for cleaning black money and its impact on corporate world and Indian economy. It discusses the corporate governance effect of the demonetization scheme and various policy measures taken by the government to unearth and curb the black money in the country. It also states the challenges in its process of implementation and implications for future. Design/methodology/approach It appraises and reviews the concept of demonetization and its process in India since its implementation on November 8, 2016. Findings The biggest positive effects of this move were eradication of stocked and staked up money, cleansing of the financial system and improving governance in India. But its implementation had mix outcomes with its own challenges for future improvement. Practical implications The lessons drawn from the experience are expected to pave way for the countries at large. Originality/value It is an original paper on demonetization in India, and it is hoped that the lessons learnt thereof will pave the way for the world at large.


2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 101-123
Author(s):  
Shakirat Adepeju Babatunde ◽  
Mohammed Kayode Ajape ◽  
Kabir Dandago Isa ◽  
Owolabi Kuye ◽  
Eddy Olajide Omolehinwa ◽  
...  

Abstract: This study investigates the effect of Ease of Doing Business Index (EDBI) on Return on Investment (ROI). The study employs a cross-sectional survey design covering five years from 2015 to 2019. The sample is 47 registered companies with the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which is the most representative of the organised private sector group in Nigeria. The study adopts descriptive and linear regression statistical analysis. Findings show a statistically significant negative effect of Government policy continuity. The government procurement process, Raw materials availability and Quality of workforce show adverse effects. Traffic and transportation management, power supply and Security infrastructure show insignificant effect on ROI. Hence, findings indicate that Government procurement process is inimical to ease of doing business in Nigeria despite the government improvement efforts. Since government efforts are insufficient, the World Bank should incorporate private sector ideals into EDBI to create a synergy a robust EDBI. Keywords: Ease of Doing Business, ease of doing business index, return on investment, investors, World Bank.      Ease of Doing Business Index: Sebuah Analisis terhadap Pandangan Praktis InvestorAbstrak: Penelitian ini menginvestigasi pengaruh Ease of Doing Business Index (EDBI) terhadap Return on Investment (ROI). Penelitian ini menggunakan desain survei cross-sectional dari tahun 2015 sampai dengan tahun 2019. Sampel penelitian ini adalah 47 perusahaan yang terdaftar di Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Penelitian ini menggunakan analisis deskriptif dan statistik regresi linear. Dari berbagai elemen EDBI, temuan dari penelitian ini menunjukkan adanya pengaruh negatif yang signifikan antara keterlanjutan kebijakan pemerintah terhadap ROI. Proses pengadaan pemerintah, ketersediaan bahan mentah, dan kualitas tenaga kerja menunjukkan pengaruh berkebalikan dengan ROI. Lalu lintas dan manajemen transportasi, supply listrik, dan infrastruktur keamanan menunjukkan pengaruh tidak signifikan terhadap ROI. Usaha pemerintah dalam meningkatkan proses pengaadaan pemerintah masih belum memadai karena masih kecilnya pengaruh terhadap EDBI Nigeria. World Bank sebaiknya memasukkan pengaruh sektor privat dalam indikator EDBI sebagai upaya menciptakan sinergi antara pemerintah dan sektor privat untuk peningkatan EDBI dan dampaknya pada ekonomi. Kata kunci: Ease of Doing Business, indeks kemudahan berbisnis, pengembalian investasi, investor, Bank Dunia


Author(s):  
Nataliia Sytnyk ◽  
Veronika Ishchenko

In modern conditions of functioning of the market economy, in the era of development of globalization and globalization processes, the prevalence of international relations, the spread of various forms of international capital movement, in particular foreign direct investment, an important place is occupied by investment activities and policies implemented by the state within the framework of the latter. It is difficult to overestimate the importance and role of investment, because world experience shows that the effective development of business entities, and therefore the country's economy as a whole, cannot be imagined without making investments. Therefore, the government of almost any country in the world is focused on creating a favorable investment climate. The article defines the theoretical foundations of investment security of the state: the essence of the concept is outlined, the principles on which investment security is based, its place and role in the state's economic security system are justified. Qualitative and quantitative criteria for a comprehensive assessment of the state's investment security are presented. The calculation and analysis of the main indicators – quantitative criteria of investment security: gross accumulation of fixed capital; the degree of accumulation of fixed capital; the ratio of the cost of newly introduced fixed assets to the volume of capital investments is carried out; the ratio of net growth of foreign direct investment to GDP; the size of the Ukrainian economy as a percentage of global GDP. The dynamics of the total volume of foreign direct investment in the Ukrainian economy in the context of world countries is analyzed. The main investor countries that ensure the receipt of the largest volumes of investment flows to the Ukrainian economy are identified. Ukraine's place in the World Bank's “Doing Business” rating over the past ten years has been demonstrated. The positive dynamics regarding Ukraine's place in the World Bank's “Doing Business” rating and the main factors that influenced such positive changes were noted. The investment climate of the state is assessed and possible measures are proposed to improve the mechanism of managing the state's investment security.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Dr. Mangesh M. Ghonge ◽  
Mr. Deepak Pathratkar

Viral pandemics are a serious threat. COVID-19 is not the first, and it won't be the last. As the whole world is going through the black phase of COVID-19 virus, the scientists are trying to invent a fighting vaccine against the same. Each and every sector in every part of the world is infected by the outburst of the fatal virus. Right from business and trade to sports and entertainment, every aspect of life is suffering a lot. To combat the outbreak of the pandemic, most of the countries have used partial to complete lockdown as the only weapon to stop the spread of the virus. In the current scenario, almost all the private sector companies as well as the government offices have suggested all the employees to work from home to stop the community spread of the disease that may occur if people come in mutual contact. While we think of governing authorities around the world, each and every government provides some e-facilities to their citizens to some what extent. Generally E-Governance can be stated as the facility to receive each and everything electronically i.e. you don’t need to go to outside home to receive any document or order. In this paper, we briefly described the different aspects of e-governance.


2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 204-216 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stuti Saxena ◽  
Irfan Muhammad

Purpose Accountability, citizen participation and transparency are the three pillars on which open government data (OGD) is based. As such, OGD implies that the government shall provide data freely via the internet so that the same may be re-used for diverse purposes. It is hoped that by re-using government data, public value shall be co-created and government services might be improved upon with the involvement of different stakeholders. The purpose of this paper is to underline the impact of OGD on accountability and transparency in the context of Pakistan where OGD initiative is taking roots for quite some time now. In the present study, the authors seek to investigate the challenges being faced by the professionals in the private sector and nongovernment organizations (NGOs) in Pakistan. Besides, the authors also seek inputs from the respondents in the manner in which OGD initiative of Pakistan has impact on ensuring accountability and transparency. Design/methodology/approach For conducting the review of the national OGD portal of Pakistan, the authors invoke documentary analysis wherein the authors investigate the features of the national OGD portal of Pakistan. Furthermore, the authors conducted structured interviews with 49 senior management representatives from private sector and NGOs in order to gauge the challenges encountered by them in tapping OGD from diverse online public sources. Findings Respondents aver that robust statistical analysis is not feasible via the data sets being shared by the online sources. More initiatives are required on the part of the government bodies to release the data sets which have remained confined in silos. Government should institutionalize an OGD policy and promote the re-use of OGD by the professionals from diverse backgrounds. At present, only educational data are being shared by the OGD portal of Pakistan and it is important that more data sets are being released in the public domain. Furthermore, the respondents perceive that in a bid to be more accountable and transparent, the government bodies should release data sets via the online channels which are user-friendly. Research limitations/implications The present study conducted a qualitative research where the number of respondents was relatively less. Further research is required by adopting quantitative approach in order to accommodate more respondents and lend reliability to the study. Nevertheless, the study holds implications for academicians and practitioners in the sense that while it is needed that further research be conducted on the OGD initiative of Pakistan, it is imperative that policy makers get involved in institutionalizing the OGD initiative of Pakistan at national and local levels. Social implications Professionals might be better involved in creating and co-creating products and services by tapping OGD. Originality/value Given that OGD initiative in Pakistan is in a nascent stage and research is wanting in exploring the nature and scope of Pakistan’s OGD, the present study seeks to contribute toward the existing OGD literature.


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