Thailand’s democratic deficit will dampen GDP growth

Subject Outlook for the Thai economy. Significance Thailand's GDP grew by 3.9% last year, the most since 2012, and is expected to remain at around 4.0% this year, with stronger public spending supporting surging tourism and solid consumer spending. Thailand’s National Strategy aims to raise GDP growth to 5-6%, but this ambition faces rising short-term risks and longer-term structural impediments. Impacts Despite rising pressure on the government to hold elections, protests will not grow, limiting the impact on spending and tourism. Automobiles, semiconductors and other electronics -- key Thai exports -- will be hit by deteriorating US-China relations. The Bank of Thailand is one South-east Asian central bank keen to ‘normalise’ rates, but higher rates could dampen domestic activity.

Subject The government's latest GDP expectations for 2016-19. Significance On September 19, days before surviving a parliamentary no-confidence vote, the government announced GDP projections for 2016-19, based on improvements in consumption growth and the labour market, where registered unemployment hovers at historically low levels. Despite its weakened position following the recent departure of junior coalition partner Siet, Smer-Social Democracy (SD) is upbeat about the prospects for robust GDP growth in 2016, revising its forecast upwards to 3.6% from 3.2%. Impacts Industrial output, GDP and inflationary pressures may pick up post-2018, as consumers spend more and auto industry investments create jobs. The government may miss its targets in the short term, but fiscal deficits should remain below the EU limit of 3% of GDP in 2016-18. More public-private partnerships, modelled on the Bratislava ring-road, plus EU funding, may support infrastructure investment after 2017.


Subject COVID-19 impact on Chad. Significance Chad has a relatively low number of confirmed COVID-19 cases but appears quite vulnerable to the impact of the pandemic, especially the economic impact. The country’s highly rural and youthful demography may help to slow the spread and keep the death rate low. Yet low oil prices, a return to recession and a new wave of sector-specific protests could pose major challenges for the government. Impacts Chad's epidemic appears unlikely to affect France’s Sahel counterterrorism mission Operation Barkhane, headquartered in Chad. A bottom-up revolution appears unlikely, and no major rebel challengers appear poised to take advantage of COVID-19 and associated crises. President Idriss Deby's government appears unlikely to fall in the short term -- French backing will continue to ensure his survival.


Subject GDP growth shows no sign of improving in the short-term. Significance In its most recent update to its World Economic Outlook, the IMF lowered its forecast for Mexico's 2016 GDP growth to 2.4% from 2.6% foreseen in January. This figure compares well with other Latin American countries -- notably Brazil and Venezuela -- yet it marks the continuation of a trend of meagre expansion that has characterised President Enrique Pena Nieto's time in office despite his efforts to introduce economic reforms. Impacts Further reform to encourage greater flexibility in the labour market will be key to increasing small business productivity. Low growth and a lack of prospects for the young will feed into Mexico's rising crime rates. The lack of growth could become a severe problem for the government both directly and indirectly in the 2018 election.


Subject The Ghanaian government's challenges Significance Almost 18 months after the New Patriotic Party (NPP) took office, there has been a notable uptick in Ghana's macroeconomic indicators, including an estimated doubling of the GDP growth rate to 8.5% in 2017. Additionally, inflation has lessened, fiscal consolidation targets are being met and public debt has declined. Notwithstanding these achievements, President Nana Akufo-Addo's flagship infrastructure promises have largely been unmet and growth for 2018 is estimated to decline to 6.3%. Impacts Unemployment, particularly among younger workers, will remain stubbornly high in the short term. The NPP will struggle to fulfil promises of improved conditions and prices for cocoa farmers amid fluctuating global prices. Improving tax revenues and collection, while not undermining popular or investor support, will prove a major challenge for the government.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Youssef Alami ◽  
Issam El Idrissi ◽  
Ahmed Bousselhami ◽  
Radouane Raouf ◽  
Hassane Boujettou

PurposeThe present paper aims to evaluate the structural impact of exogenously induced fiscal shocks on the Moroccan economy. This entails an analysis of the effect on the GDP of COVID-19-induced fiscal shocks manifesting in terms of budgetary revenues and expenditures. A key aspect of this analysis addresses the size of the tax and fiscal multipliers.Design/methodology/approachThe study examines the structural relationship between five variables during the period between Q1 2009 and Q2 2020 using an SVAR approach that allows for a dynamic interaction between ordinary expenditures and revenues on a quarterly basis.FindingsPositive structural shocks on public spending are likely to negatively impact economic growth. Negative economic growth, in turn, will damage price levels and interest rates, mainly over the long term. However, public-revenue-multiplier-associated shocks exceed these price- and interest-rate multiplier-associated shocks. Indeed, a structural shock to ordinary revenues can have a positive but insignificant impact on the GDP stemming from the ensuing decrease in the government budget deficit that proceeds from the increase in government revenues.Originality/valueThis is one of the first studies in the Moroccan context to assess the impact of the current worldwide pandemic on public finances. In addition, this study highlights the importance of boosting economic recovery through public spending.


Significance Most notably, the constitutional amendments, if adopted, would transform governance into a parliamentary model, a departure from the prevalent post-Soviet model of a strong -- at times even authoritarian -- presidency. Yet in the short term, the immediate result would be to deepen one-party rule. Impacts A referendum is a risk for any sitting government, and even more so for the unpopular Armenian government that enjoys little public trust. Neither the government nor the opposition has done enough explain the impact of the proposed changes on ordinary citizens' daily lives. Many Armenians will see the amendments as a distraction from the more pressing issue of the economic downturn.


Subject Declining growth prospects. Significance The impact of widespread flooding, coupled with the effects of the Odebrecht scandal on public works contracts, has made private analysts reduce their forecasts for GDP growth this year. Although up on 2015, last year’s growth rate, buoyed by higher mining exports, was already lower than initially anticipated. Impacts Lower growth will make it more difficult to tackle poverty and raise employment levels. Inflation this year should be within the government’s 1-3% target range. Increased public spending will be used to maintain growth levels.


Subject Negative trends in Azerbaijan's economy. Significance Azerbaijan's economy is contracting under the impact of low oil prices, weaker purchasing power and reduced public spending. The external current account and fiscal balances are deteriorating. Two devaluations last year could help stabilise the manat, but have created more economic stress in the interim and exposed the fragility of the banking sector. Financial reserves, including the state oil fund, are large in relation to the size of the economy but are shrinking rapidly. Impacts Months of recession will generate anger and potentially anti-government protests. The government may be tempted to use military action against Karabakh to distract attention from domestic problems. However, sustained low oil prices will reduce previously lavish spending on defence. Moves towards economic diversification and privatisation will be resisted by elite groups with vested interests.


2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 964-990
Author(s):  
N.I. Kulikov ◽  
V.L. Parkhomenko ◽  
Akun Anna Stefani Rozi Mobio

Subject. We assess the impact of tight financial and monetary policy of the government of the Russian Federation and the Bank of Russia on the level of household income and poverty reduction in Russia. Objectives. The purpose of the study is to analyze the results of financial and monetary policy in Russia and determine why the situation with household income and poverty has not changed for the recent six years, and the GDP growth rate in Russia is significantly lagging behind the global average. Methods. The study employs methods of analysis of scientific and information base, and synthesis of obtained data. The methodology and theoretical framework draw upon works of domestic and foreign scientists on economic and financial support to economy and population’s income. Results. We offer measures for liberalization of the financial and monetary policy of the government and the Central Bank to ensure changes in the structure of the Russian economy. The proposed alternative economic and financial policy of the State will enable the growth of real incomes of the population, poverty reduction by half by 2024, and annual GDP growth up to 6 per cent. Conclusions. It is crucial to change budget priorities, increase the salaries of public employees, introduce a progressive tax rate for individuals; to reduce the key rate to the value of annual inflation and limit the bank margin. The country needs a phased program to increase the population's income, which will ensure consumer demand.


2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-22
Author(s):  
Towaf Totok Irawan

Until now the government and private sector have not been able to address the backlog of 13.5 million housing units for ownership status and 7.6 million units for residential status. The high price of land has led to the high price of the house so that low-income communities (MBR) is not able to reach out to make a home purchase. In addition to the high price of land, tax factors also contribute to the high price of the house. The government plans to issue a policy for the provision of tax incentives, ie abolish VAT on home-forming material transaction. This policy is expected to house prices become cheaper, so the demand for housing increases, and encourage the relevant sectors to intensify its role in the construction of houses. It is expected to replace the lost tax potential and increase incomes. Analysis of the impact of tax incentives housing to potential state revenue and an increase in people's income, especially in Papua province is using the table IO because in addition to looking at the role each sector can also see the impact on taxes (income tax 21 Pph 25 Pph, VAT), and incomes (wage). Although in the short-term impact is still small, but very rewarding in the long run. Keywords: Backlog, Gross Input, Primary Input, Intermediate Input


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