Ivorian fiscal consolidation plans face multiple risks

2018 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Ivory Coast ◽  
Public Investment ◽  
Growth Spurt ◽  
Medium Term ◽  
Political Will ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Multiple Risks ◽  
Cocoa Production ◽  
Near Term ◽  
The Impact

Subject Ivory Coast economic update. Significance The post-civil war growth spurt is expected to taper to around 7% per annum over the medium-term, from an average of 9% during 2012-16. While this partly reflects a gradual slowdown in productivity, it also underscores the influence of public investment on Ivory Coast's growth. With public investment expected to decline, the most likely source of near-term growth is foreign direct investment (FDI), which picked up last year, albeit from a low base. Impacts Government revenues may decline as petrol taxes are reduced to absorb the impact on pump prices of a recent spike in oil prices. Ivory Coast-Ghana proposals on synchronising cocoa production will likely be overshadowed by smuggling and a lack of political will. Apart from Niger, all countries in WAEMU will meet the bloc's fiscal targets on time.

The great reanimation

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (6) ◽  
pp. 81-84
Author(s):  
Peter Buell Hirsch
Keyword(s):  
Income Inequality ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Labor Movements ◽  
Tipping Points ◽  
Political Will ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Corporate Behavior ◽  
Emerging Trends ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to highlight the ways in which long running secular trends and the COVID-19 pandemic have combined to re-energize labor movements and pushed political thinking to the left. Design/methodology/approach A review of emerging trends in public opinion and labor action to identify some critical tipping points. Findings There is a critical shift unfolding in which government intervention to stem income inequality is becoming politically acceptable. Originality/value To the best of the author’s knowledge, there have been few, if any comparable discussions of the relationship between the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the political will to stem income inequality and the implications for corporate behavior.

El Nino spells multiple humanitarian crises for Africa

2015 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
El Niño ◽  
El Nino ◽  
Commodity Prices ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Weather System ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Humanitarian Crises ◽  
Cocoa Production ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
The Impact

Subject Outlook for El Nino in sub-Saharan Africa. Significance The current El Nino weather system, one of the three strongest since 1950, is causing drought in some areas and flooding in others. Past instances have resulted in significant drops in agricultural production, livestock deaths, infrastructure damage and lost income. Together with likely higher incidence of disease, similar effects could trigger humanitarian crises across sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Impacts Poor sanitation infrastructure in many major SSA cities will facilitate the spread of water-borne diseases such as cholera. In Southern Africa, strong institutions overseeing intra-regional water sharing will limit prospects for diplomatic disputes over water. Unusual rain and wind patterns in West Africa could curb cocoa production, creating shortages that will push up global prices. Likely lower agricultural output across SSA will compound the impact of low commodity prices on cooling GDP growth.

Ecuador's Correa slashes spending to appease investors

2015 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Local Governments ◽  
Public Investment ◽  
Oil Fields ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Public Finances ◽  
Downward Pressure ◽  
International Investors ◽  
Fiscal Austerity ◽  
Oil Revenues ◽  
The Impact

Subject The impact of fiscal austerity on growth and the re-election outlook. Significance Following a long fiscal expansion, Ecuador is set to enter a period of austerity. The collapse of world oil prices and the deterioration of public finances have forced President Rafael Correa's government to propose a 15% reduction in spending next year. The cut will improve public finances and please international investors, but create political problems for the president and government as the country moves towards elections in 2017. Impacts Lower levels of public spending will decrease domestic demand and place downward pressure on growth. Oil revenues and savings from public investment in infrastructure will support public finances over the longer term. These will include revenues from oil fields previously integrated into the Yasuni/ITT environmental programme. Clashes between the central and local governments will increase as austerity deepens and pre-election political jostling intensifies.

Tensions to shape, but not derail, Ivory Coast poll

2015 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Civil War ◽  
Ivory Coast ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
User Fees ◽  
Medium Term ◽  
Foreign Investors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
High User ◽  
Infrastructure Investments

Significance The most serious challenger to President Alassane Ouattara's re-election, N'Guessan's candidacy probably marks the end of election boycotts by FPI, but rifts linger from the 2010-11 civil war. Impacts Large-scale infrastructure investments will facilitate medium-term economic growth, despite possible volatility around the election. Foreign investors are likely to refrain from making major decisions before the poll but inflows will pick up in 2016. High user fees for the new Henri Konan Bedie toll bridge in Abidjan will probably reduce congestion by commuters. High global cocoa prices and robust output (Ivory Coast is the world's largest producer) will buoy government revenues.

Lockdown and consumer fears hit Argentine retailers

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Construction Projects ◽  
Buenos Aires ◽  
Foreign Debt ◽  
Government Support ◽  
Medium Term ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Support Measures ◽  
Shopping Centres ◽  
New Construction ◽  
The Impact

Significance However, the COVID-19-related lockdown was a heavy blow, especially in the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area (AMBA). Despite government support measures, the assistance has not offset the fall in sales, while those in the informal sector do not qualify for support. As a result, many retailers will not reopen and bankruptcies will rise. Impacts The number of retailers that close permanently will rise if relaxation measures are postponed, especially in the AMBA. The impact of the pandemic on shopping centres’ earnings will discourage new construction projects in the medium term. Retail recovery will depend on government’s ability to stabilise the economy following the successful foreign debt swap.

West African cocoa commitments face major tests

2019 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Ivory Coast ◽  
Rural Livelihoods ◽  
West African ◽  
Third Party ◽  
Mutual Benefit ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Income Differential ◽  
Cocoa Production ◽  
Cocoa Farmers ◽  
Price Floor

Subject West African Cocoa. Significance Having amended a June proposal for a cocoa price floor of 2,600 dollars per metric tonne (mt), Ivory Coast and Ghana are seeking to enforce compliance with a revised plan that instead includes a 400-dollar-per-mt Living Income Differential (LID) to improve cocoa farmers' livelihoods. The LID applies to purchases starting in the 2020/21 season; compared to 2019/20 forward sales at this time last year, current sales for 2020/21 are down by two-thirds. To ensure LID compliance, the two cocoa regulators -- the Ivorian Coffee and Cocoa Board (CCC) and Ghana Cocoa Board (Cocobod) -- have vowed to monitor whether chocolate companies and processors' sustainability programmes can co-exist to mutual benefit. Impacts Both governments will maintain pressure for LID compliance, as they seek to demonstrate efficacy in improving rural livelihoods. The future LID price incentive to farmers may come into conflict with Ivory Coast’s stated goal to limit cocoa production from next year. Third-party certification schemes and in-house sustainability programmes will face pressure to demonstrate equivalent impact to the LID.

The impact of climate change on cocoa production in West Africa

2014 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 296-314 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth Ofori-Boateng ◽  
Baba Insah
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
West Africa ◽  
Climatic Factors ◽  
Extreme Temperature ◽  
Yield Response ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Impact Of Climate Change ◽  
Temperature And Precipitation ◽  
Cocoa Production ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – The study aimed at examining the current and future impact of climate change on cocoa production in West Africa. Design/methodology/approach – A translog production function based on crop yield response framework was used. A panel model was estimated using data drawn from cocoa-producing countries in West Africa. An in-sample simulation was used to determine the predictive power of the model. In addition, an out-sample simulation revealed the effect of future trends of temperature and precipitation on cocoa output. Findings – Temperature and precipitation play a considerable role in cocoa production in West Africa. It was established that extreme temperature adversely affected cocoa output in the sub-region. Furthermore, increasing temperature and declining precipitation trends will reduce cocoa output in the future. Practical implications – An important implication of this study is the recognition that lagging effects are the determinants of cocoa output and not coincident effects. This finds support from the agronomic point of view considering the gestation period of the cocoa crop. Originality/value – Although several studies have been carried out in this area, this study modeled and estimated the interacting effects of factors that influence cocoa production. This is closer to reality, as climatic factors and agricultural inputs combine to yield output.

Promoting entrepreneurial intention through a higher education program integrated in an entrepreneurship ecosystem

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 6-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Ferrandiz ◽  
Pilar Fidel ◽  
Andrea Conchado
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Group Dynamics ◽  
Education Program ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Practical Experience ◽  
Entrepreneurial Intention ◽  
Medium Term ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to improve the current knowledge of the effects of a higher education program for entrepreneurs, integrated in an entrepreneurial ecosystem, in the entrepreneurial intention of the students. Design/methodology/approach For this, group dynamics have been carried out with the students to know the process of entrepreneurial learning, the acquisition of competences, the mentoring received and the influence of the program in its entrepreneurial intention in the short and medium term. Findings The results suggest that the program positively influences students’ entrepreneurial intention, especially in the medium term. In particular, they point out that working personal skills in the program contribute to the development of their entrepreneurial project. On the other hand, mentoring requires a more methodical accompaniment and a greater degree of specialization of the mentors. Research limitations/implications This research represents an excellent first step toward a better understanding of the factors that influence entrepreneurial intention. In addition, they lead to improve existing knowledge about the impact of entrepreneurial higher education. The only limitation of the paper is given by its nature as a case study. Practical implications The case study aims to provide the results of the practical experience of a higher education program in entrepreneurship and serve as a basis for future lines of research that address the research gap based on the need of identification of best practices in entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurial behavior. Social implications This work brings practical experience that inspires diverse social actors as managers of higher education programs, managers of ecosystems entrepreneurs and public institutions. Originality/value Our findings respond to previous concerns on the results of programs aimed at training future entrepreneurs. Besides, this work describes an interesting case study based on a postgraduate program, while most of the previous studies have been limited to undergraduate programs.

scholarly journals Vaccine nationalism and equitable access to COVID-19 pharmaceuticals: TRIPS Agreement under trial (again)

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Boniface Chimpango
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Pharmaceutical Products ◽  
Trips Agreement ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Equitable Access ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Near Term ◽  
Procurement Strategies ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this study is to contribute towards the debate about global access to COVID-19 vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics. Design/methodology/approach The global scramble for COVID-19 vaccine and other related pharmaceutical products have once again exposed the limitations of the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS). High-income countries are claiming a lion’s share of the first available batches of the COVID-19 vaccine in total disregard of the consequences such approach would have on the low-income countries that lack both the manufacturing wherewithal and the financial resources to purchase the vaccine and other products needed to combat the pandemic. This paper reviews the existing TRIPS Flexibilities and analyses their limitations with respect to equitable access of pharmaceutical products in times of health emergencies. This paper then considers the unique challenges that have been brought to the fore by the COVID-19 pandemic. Finally, this paper analytically explores some options that have been proposed so far that the World Trade Organization (WTO) or governments can take in the immediate to near term to facilitate equitable access to COVID-19 pharmaceutical products and technologies. This research is non-empirical, desk-based research. It is, therefore, based on the literature review of existing body of work that is relevant to the topic under discussion. Mindful of the epistemological challenges that are always associated with desk-based research, part of the methodology of this work is to seek support from related empirical studies based on different philosophical underpinnings but that confirm the working hypothesis of this research. Findings This paper finds that there is still a need for a comprehensive reform of TRIPS Agreement to streamline the voluntary licencing system which is an important tool for low-income countries’ access to affordable pharmaceuticals. However, for purposes of dealing with COVID-19, WTO members should consider establishing pooled Licencing Facilities and procurement strategies via already existing political, economic or regional trade groupings. Originality/value This research is original. All sources have been acknowledged. This research synthesises different research papers and applies different viewpoints to the debate on the impact of the TRIPS Agreement on equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics.

scholarly journals Addressing the Pandemic's Medium-Term Fallout in Australia and New Zealand

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (272) ◽  
Author(s):  
Geoffrey Bannister ◽  
Harald Finger ◽  
Yosuke Kido ◽  
Siddharth Kothari ◽  
Elena Loukoianova
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Policy Support ◽  
Medium Term ◽  
Economic Resilience ◽  
Potential Output ◽  
Productivity Losses ◽  
Standards Of Living ◽  
Advanced Economies ◽  
Near Term ◽  
The Impact

While the world is focused on addressing the near-term ramifications of the COVID-19 shock, we turn attention to another important aspect of the pandemic: its fallout on medium-term potential output through scarring. Taking Australia and New Zealand as examples, we show that the pandemic will likely have a large and persistent impact on potential output, broadly in line with the experience of advanced economies from past recessions. The impact is driven by employment, capital stock, and productivity losses in the wake of an unprecedented sectoral reallocation, hightened uncertainty, and reduced migration. Maintaining fiscal and monetary policy support until the recovery is firmly entrenched and putting in place a strong structural policy agenda to counter the pandemic’s adverse effects on medium-term potential output will be important to support standards of living and strengthen economic resilience in case of renewed shocks.

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