Economic growth without welfare. The case of the impact of commodities on the Colombian economy

ABSTRACT Economic growth is not always related to social welfare. Therefore, this paper takes the case of the Colombian economy that has a strong dependence on commodity exploitation to identify the impacts of different commodities such as oil, coffee, coal, and nickel over economic variables. The results show that the increase in prices of commodities generates significant impacts on economic activity in variables such as GDP and investment. Also, there are no significant impacts on variables that provide welfare to individuals as total consumption or the unemployment rate.

The effects of COVID-19 vaccines on economic activity

This paper empirically examines the economic effects of COVID-19 vaccine rollouts using a cross-country daily database of vaccinations and high-frequency indicators of economic activity—nitrogen dioxide (NO2) emissions, carbon monoxide (CO) emissions, and Google mobility indices—for a sample of 46 countries over the period December 16, 2020 to June 20, 2021. Using surprises in vaccines administered, we find that an unexpected increase in vaccination per capita is associated with a significant increase in economic activity. We also find evidence for nonlinear effects of vaccines, with the marginal economic benefits being larger when vaccination rates are higher. Country-specific conditions play an important role, with lower economic gains if strict containment measures are in place or if the country is experiencing a severe outbreak. Finally, the results provide evidence of spillovers across borders, highlighting the importance of equitable access to vaccines across nations.

Analyzing the relationship between water pollution and economic activity for a more effective pollution control policy in Bali Province, Indonesia

An adequate water supply is essential for the continued and sustainable growth of the Balinese economy. In addition to mounting water demand, Bali’s water supply has been constrained by high levels of water pollution. Despite being paid great attention, Bali’s earlier efforts to control water pollution yet to prove effective, mainly owing to their reliance on traditional methods and regulations that focus on water pollution being linked to discrete sets of economic activity (e.g., processing industries, livestock farming, and hotels). However, an economy of a region/country comprises a set of sectoral activities, which are interconnected through supply chains; thus, water pollution could be well explained by examining the entire sectoral economic activities and their environmental performance. Therefore, determining the structural relationships between water pollution and economic activity serves as an important basis for more effective forms of pollution control for the Balinese economy. In this study, accordingly, we employed an environmentally extended input–output model to establish the links between water pollution and the production processes of the entire economy. Using biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) as a proxy for water quality in our analysis, we estimated that 246.9 kt of BOD were produced from Bali’s economic activity in 2007. Further, we identified the chief BOD-emitting sectors and found that intermediate demand and household demand were the major causes of BOD discharge in the economy. We also accounted for the indirect role of each sector in total BOD emissions. Moreover, we categorized the sectors into four groups based on their direct and indirect BOD emission characteristics and offered appropriate policy measures for each group. Managing demand (i.e., lowering household consumption and exports) and shifting input suppliers (i.e., from polluters to non-polluters) are effective measures to control pollution for Categories I and II, respectively; clean production and abatement is advised for Category III; and a hybrid approach (i.e., demand management and abatement technology) is recommended for Category IV.

Research of the Russian Labor Market and Peculiarities of Human Resources in the Period of Economic Restoration in a Pandemic

This article examines the current state, operating conditions and forecasts for the development of the Russian labor market after the coronavirus pandemic in 2020. The growth of the gross domestic product was revealed in July 2021, compared to July 2020. It was noted that the most important factor in the recovery and further development of economic activity in the first half of 2021 was the consumer demand of the population. General trends in the labor market are showing positive dynamics, and the process of increasing real wages has continued. The recovery processes brought workers' cash incomes closer to the indicators of 2019. It was noted that the development of the labor market in the near future will be based on the implementation in the Russian Federation of a state program called "Promotion of employment of the population", in addition, national projects have been developed: "Demography", "Small and medium-sized businesses and support for individual entrepreneurial initiative".

Analysis of financial and economic activities

The textbook discusses the theoretical foundations of economic analysis as a system of knowledge about the subject and objects, method and tasks, methodology and organization of analytical work at the enterprise. The methods of managerial and financial analysis of the business entity's activities, including the calculation of reserves for improving the results of production and economic activity, are presented. Meets the requirements of the federal state educational standards of secondary vocational education of the latest generation. For students of secondary vocational educational institutions studying in an enlarged group of specialties 38.02.00 "Economics and Management".

Ecuador’s Lasso weathers early storm but clouds loom

Significance He appears to have weathered this early political storm, achieving notable successes in areas such as tax reform. However, the political outlook remains uncertain, with a likely COVID-19 resurgence heralding new challenges in 2022. Impacts Containing the spread of the Omicron variant will be a priority for Lasso in the coming months. A pandemic resurgence would place downward pressure on economic growth and tax collection. Tax reforms will please international investors and support efforts to attract foreign direct investment to stimulate economic activity.

Digital Syria: Myth or Reality

The article presents the rationale for the author’s vision of activating one of the intensive tools of economic recovery in the Syrian Arab Republic – digitalization. It is shown that the restoration with the help of “traditional” methods – strengthening of foreign economic activity - for Syrian Arab Republic is very limited by Western sanctions. Therefore, it is important to search for non-traditional ways, which is technically possible in modern conditions. The author believes that this is also possible in practice.