Mutual investments between GCC and CIS countries

Author(s):  
Нагимова ◽  
Al'mira Nagimova

This new book of an expert on the Arab capital markets Almira Nagimova explores the cross-border capital flows between the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Commonwealth of Independent States. This timely work not only reflects on the many recent cross-border deals, but also explains emerging trends. Three sections cover: stages and prerequisites of an investment activity between GCC and CIS countries, types of the Arab investors and their investment strategies with the special focus on the sovereign wealth funds; analysis of more than 200 cross-border merger and acquisition and greenfield deals that have taken place from 1991 till 2016; the recent developments of the legal basis of investment collaboration, the performance of participants and the results of bilateral investment events. The book provides an in-depth look at the current state of mutual investment process and prospective areas of cooperation between countries, including the prospects for Islamic finance in Russia and the CIS. It also answers key questions related to stakeholders, total value and dynamics, industrial and geographical breakdowns of deals, and more.

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (6) ◽  
pp. 49-62
Author(s):  
Mstislav P. Afanasiev ◽  
◽  
Nataliya N. Shash ◽  

This paper examines the transformational shifts in investment strategies of sovereign wealth funds. It analyzes the basic theory of sovereign wealth funds and justifies the need for its development. It identifies the similarities and distinguishing features of sovereign wealth funds. Four types of sovereign wealth funds are characterized, and the key requirements for their management system are clarified. Analysis results for the changing capital among the world’s largest sovereign wealth funds since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic are given. Market value trends of the Government Pension Fund Global (Norway) for 1998-2021 were revealed, and a prediction of its changes for the period until 2026 was created. The influence of the Covid-19 epidemic on the structure of investment portfolios (including the emergence of a new class of assets) was presented, along with GPFG’s investment strategy. Changes in the amount of NWF’s funds (Russia) for the period 2008-2021 were presented and its growth for 2022-2023 was predicted. The transformation of NWF’s liquidity regulatory structure was assessed. New trends in the investment activities of sovereign wealth funds, which occurred under the influence of the Covid-19 epidemic, were revealed. These include reduced risk appetite, increased investment activity, and a higher share of direct investments in asset portfolios. Individual sovereign wealth funds were used to compile a chart of their investment portfolios, which were diversified depending on investment goals and risk level. Recommendations for building the investment strategy of sovereign wealth funds were formulated, with a proposed algorithm for its formulation, including three consecutive stages. It is noted that the results of implementing the investment strategy of sovereign wealth funds directly depends on management quality, whose efficiency can be assessed using special indicators.


Author(s):  
Minu Mathew ◽  
Chandra Sekhar Rout

This review details the fundamentals, working principles and recent developments of Schottky junctions based on 2D materials to emphasize their improved gas sensing properties including low working temperature, high sensitivity, and selectivity.


Author(s):  
Evgeniya Mikhailovna Popova ◽  
Irina Vitalevna Mezentseva

Currently, the Russian regions apply a vast array of tools for regulating the investment process, including tax incentives. Active use of tax preferences is dictated by the fact that in the conditions of regional budget deficit, tax incentives, unlike subsidies, do not require direct budget expenditures for stimulating investment activity. However, the world experience demonstrates that tax incentives do not fall under the group of factors that strongly affect investment decisions. For determining the degree of preference of tax incentives in relation to other measures of regional support, a survey was carried among Chinese investors, who implement investment projects on the territory of Zabaykalsky Krai. The survey was based on a method of hierarchical analysis based on the special matrices by filed in by the investors. The acquired results displayed that out of ten measures of state support, tax incentives hold the eighth place. The calculated coefficient of the significance of tax incentives testifies to the low attractiveness of fiscal stimuli for the Chinese investors. The authora attempted to find the reasons for tax incentive not being in demand. The scientific novelty of this work consists in conducting the analysis of regional legislation that regulates the order of granting investment tax incentives based on the concept of behavioral economics. In the course of application of the provisions of behavioral economics, emphasis was made on the subjective aspect of the mechanism of preferential taxation. The reasonableness of considering such peculiarities of human mind as cognitive inertia and relativity is substantiated with regards to arranging the structure of tax incentives that would allow increasing the importance of tax incentives in formation of investment climate on the territory of Zabaykalsky Krai. The authors make recommendations on increasing the attractiveness of tax incentives among Chinese investors based on the concept of reference point and the effect of loss aversion.


MRS Bulletin ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 23 (9) ◽  
pp. 28-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.M. Stoneham ◽  
I.J. Ford ◽  
P.R. Chalker

The diamond films of the early 1980s presented two quite different challenges. First how could this new form of diamond be exploited technically? Second, how could this clearly nonequilibrium generation of diamond be understood and the understanding be used to maximum effect? We shall be discussing the ideas of theory and modeling, and we will show how they have contributed to the interplay of science and technology.The science of diamond films is the art of beating nature in the use of carbon. Theory gives the understanding to improve this art. One way in which we improve on nature is in new geometries: controlled growth over selected surfaces o surface regions. The coverage, defect density, microstructure, and rate of growth are key issues. Another way to beat nature is controlled doping. Could wmake n-type semiconductors or lasers using diamond films? A third direction might be routes to control interfaces. Grai boundaries and the regions between small, misaligned crystals affect thermal properties and electron emission. Difficulties with electrical contacts may limit the use of diamond films as semiconductors or insulators. Substrate-film adhesion can determine tribological performance.If theory is to play a role in controlling film deposition, we need to understand the role of theory itself. Theory can add value at several distinct levels. At the highest level, modeling has the potential to provide a substitute for experiment, especially when information is needed about behavior at extreme conditions. When the phenomena are very fast or very complex, theory can be used to interpret limited experiments. At a more modest level, even simple quantitative models can illustrate the many processes occurring during film growth. Atomistic theories of this type can identify the rate-determining steps and point to ways of influencing them. Mesoscopic theories, especially combined with macroscopic approaches like elasticity theory, can identify routes to improved performance.


1995 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 147-157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronald K. Hambleton ◽  
Anil Kanjee

Translating or adapting psychological and educational tests from one language and culture to other languages and cultures has been a common practice for almost a hundred years, beginning with Binet's test of intelligence. Despite the long history and the many good reasons for adapting tests, proper methods for conducting test adaptations and establishing score equivalence are not well known by psychologists. The purpose of this paper is to focus attention on judgmental and statistical methods and procedures for adapting tests with special focus on procedures for identifying poorly adapted items. When these methods are correctly applied, the validity of any cross-cultural uses of the adapted test should be increased.


Micromachines ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 80
Author(s):  
Xiaohu Zhou ◽  
Han Wu ◽  
Haotian Wen ◽  
Bo Zheng

Single-cell analysis is becoming an indispensable tool in modern biological and medical research. Single-cell isolation is the key step for single-cell analysis. Single-cell printing shows several distinct advantages among the single-cell isolation techniques, such as precise deposition, high encapsulation efficiency, and easy recovery. Therefore, recent developments in single-cell printing have attracted extensive attention. We review herein the recently developed bioprinting strategies with single-cell resolution, with a special focus on inkjet-like single-cell printing. First, we discuss the common cell printing strategies and introduce several typical and advanced printing strategies. Then, we introduce several typical applications based on single-cell printing, from single-cell array screening and mass spectrometry-based single-cell analysis to three-dimensional tissue formation. In the last part, we discuss the pros and cons of the single-cell strategies and provide a brief outlook for single-cell printing.


2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 60-71
Author(s):  
Irina E. Abramova ◽  
Anastasia A. Ananyina ◽  
Anna M. Esengalieva

The world lives in the era of conflict, when the safety and well-being of states or individuals to a large extent depend on the availability of well-trained professionals who are able to perform mediating functions, keeping in mind ethnic, national, political, cultural and other differences between conflicting sides. However, employers increasingly claim that todays graduates lack the skills required for conflict management and mediation even in homogeneous working environments, let alone multinational teams and international interaction. This problem is particularly relevant for the field of international relations where conflict resolution by peaceful means is very important. Countries with transition economies, such as Russia and Kazakhstan, where there is a gap between labor market requirements and university teaching practices, have been searching for new ways to educate and train young specialists. This article presents the preliminary results of a collaborative project between Petrozavodsk State University of the Russian Federation and Gumilyov Eurasian National University of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The project includes a set of dialogue- and polylogue-based learning activities with special focus on addressing any discrepancies, misunderstandings and divergence of views. The aim of the paper is to assess the impact of professionally oriented cross-border communication in the English language on the readiness of international relations students from Russia and Kazakhstan for resolving future professional disputes through mediation. The authors used formal structured questionnaires with closed-ended questions for obtaining necessary data and the comparative analysis method for interpreting them. The results suggest that systematic English-language cross-border communication in a realistic work-like environment will demonstrate the importance of mediation as a component of professional communicative competence to the students and will better prepare future foreign affairs staff for conflict resolution and mediation.


2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dijana Kremenović

Decisions about the choice of investment projects can significantly affect the destiny of the company, its competitive position in the market, market participation, the direction of further technological development, and even the survival of the company. The aim of this paper is, in the conditions of the current economic reality, to point out the significance of the choice of methods of expressing the benefit of an investment project. In this sense, we have explained in detail all currently applicable methods for assessing the viability of investment projects on a cash basis, comparing the good and bad sides of all the methods presented. In this connection, we especially pointed out the importance of the time value of money. The decision to apply the capital budgeting process, certainly, is the decision of the company itself. However, the outcome of investment activity is borne by a wider circle of consumers, which should be a sufficient reason to encourage education and the application of current methods in this area. If you want to realistically look at the investment process and evaluate the justification of an investment project, it is necessary to identify and analyse the effects of exploitation of a particular investment. In order to ensure the realization of the company’s basic strategic goals and thus ensure its growth and development, it is necessary to make decisions in which the company will focus its investment activities on this investment projects whose effects will ensure the highest return on investment. This work deals with the complex issues of making adequate investment decisions using a method for assessing the viability of investment projects on a cash basis. Bearing in mind the significance of investment activity, we can conclude that for the purpose of making a good investment decision, it is necessary to realistically look at the entire investment process and assess the justification of the implementation of the investment project. In this sense, we identify, measure and quantify the overall effects of the realization of a particular investment. Capital budgeting for the purpose of making an investment decision today is a generally accepted concept in developed economies. There is no doubt that there are many disagreements regarding the choice of the methods of assessing the viability of investment investments, and then the selection of criteria within a certain method. However, it is quite certain that the rich experience of developed countries undoubtedly points to the need for capital budgeting, investment project management, with particular emphasis on the use of discounted methods for assessing the viability of investment investment and respecting both economic and non-economic effects. Implicit benefits that the application of capital budgeting brings to the overall growth and development of the company, in terms of reducing uncertainty in making investment decisions, easier ranking of investment projects, exact measurement of expected benefits, transparency of investment activity criteria, attracting investors and ultimately creating additional value and greater degree of realization of strategic company goals.With this work, we pointed out the fact that capital budgeting is crucial in the process of making an investment decision and in that way has influenced enterprises to seriously deal with the choice of the method of estimating the profitability of investment projects that will surely result in additional value for the company.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael D. Monterey ◽  
Haichao Wei ◽  
Xizi Wu ◽  
Jia Qian Wu

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease and is the most common cause of dementia in an aging population. The majority of research effort has focused on the role of neurons in neurodegeneration and current therapies have limited ability to slow disease progression. Recently more attention has been given to the role of astrocytes in the process of neurodegeneration. Specifically, reactive astrocytes have both advantageous and adverse effects during neurodegeneration. The ability to isolate and depict astrocyte phenotype has been challenging. However, with the recent development of single-cell sequencing technologies researchers are provided with the resource to delineate specific biomarkers associated with reactive astrocytes in AD. In this review, we will focus on the role of astrocytes in normal conditions and the pathological development of AD. We will further review recent developments in the understanding of astrocyte heterogeneity and associated biomarkers. A better understanding of astrocyte contributions and phenotypic changes in AD can ultimately lead to more effective therapeutic targets.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document