Encourage Private Sector Investment Research Articles

Tehno-ekonomska analiza hibridnog elektroenergetskog sistema vetra/solara za obezbeđivanje električne energije za proizvodnju zelenog vodonika

Green hydrogen (GH) is recognized as a fundamental pillar in shaping a sustainable global future. The process involves the hydrolysis of water with sustainable electrical sources. This paper presents a techno-economic assessment of hybrid renewable wind and solar power systems in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia, to provide clean energy to enhance carbon-natural petrochemical operations. The implementation of Energy Compensation Policies, such as Net Energy Metering or Net Energy Billing Mechanisms, has a substantial influence on the financial viability of GH Plant. The present research compared the impact of such a mechanism on the levelized cost of Energy (LCOE) and the Levelized cost of Hydrogen (LCOH). The study recommended the adoption of a Net Metering Mechanism as a highly efficient strategy to encourage private sector investment in renewable energy production in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). This approach was found to be effective, resulting in an accumulated electricity tariff of 26.5 $/MWh and a levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH) of 1.65 $/kg.

Overcoming Obstacles to Renewable Energy Development in Libya: An MCDM Approach towards Effective Strategy Formulation

Renewable energy development in Libya faces numerous obstacles that hinder its progress. This paper aims to identify these obstacles and propose effective strategies to overcome them. Based on the literature review and expert opinions, eight obstacles were identified: lack of infrastructure, dependence on fossil fuels, lack of a stable investment climate, political instability, weak regulatory framework, varying environmental conditions, lack of public awareness, and technological barriers. The analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method was used to calculate the weights of these obstacles. The results showed that lack of infrastructure was the most critical obstacle, followed by dependence on fossil fuels. Seven strategies were suggested to overcome these obstacles: encouraging private sector investment, providing financial incentives, strengthening the regulatory framework, capacity building, promoting public awareness, technology transfer, and international cooperation. The combined compromise solution (CoCoSo) method was used to rank these strategies based on their effectiveness. The results showed that encouraging private sector investment was the most important strategy to overcome the obstacles. The findings of this paper can support decision-makers in Libya to take the right decisions and allocate resources effectively to overcome the identified obstacles and promote renewable energy development. Additionally, the paper provides insights into other countries facing similar challenges in the development of renewable energy.

Industrialization of Socialist-Oriented Economy Development in Nepal: Contribution, Possibility and Challenges of Private Sectors

The state produces goods and services to distribute to its citizens and its process is somehow related to social welfare. The government that has created an industry-friendly environment for the establishment of industries to provide goods at a price that people can afford. Investors are invested in the industry by making full use of resources and available materials to provide employment opportunities for industrialization in Nepalese economic development. Investors are not allowed to produce and distribute voluntary goods. The role of facilitator in production and distribution by fulfilling of basic criteria is prescribed by the socialist state. Socialism is believed in the advancement of the human race, the pursuit of equality among all human beings, the end of the system of exploitation of one human being by another, and the establishment of universal love between human beings. Although the government was instructed by the constitution to develop a socialist-oriented economy, the government could not achieve complete success. The policy of the state has to encourage private sector investment, due to inability that makes programs. Nepal has not able to move towards industrialization. If immediate steps could be taken to create an investment friendly environment in the industry to minimize the challenges of problems in the private sector, ample employment opportunities would be created. The government of Nepal has given priority to Indian imports and the policy of imposing higher customs duty on imports of raw materials than manufactured.

Better Approaches to Derisking Psychiatric Drug Development are Needed, Not New Funding Mechanisms.

The pulling back of large pharma from psychiatric drug development over the last 15 years has been a cause of concern. The uncertainty of success with any novel mechanism raises questions concerning whether current funding mechanisms for the various components of drug development need to be revisited. Alternatively, advances in neuroscience and translational methods may provide a sufficient incentive for continued private sector investment. Narrative commentary drawing on personal positions in both NIH and Industry devoted to translation of CNS compounds from bench to bedside coupled with specific examples of efforts to improve the selection of compounds to take into large clinical trials. Strategies for increasing R&D productivity in the field of CNS drugs articulated over a decade ago have been implemented over the same period with pre-competitive consortia involved in developing the tools needed to show that before being taken into large trials adequate evidence of postulated brain effects are required. In parallel, the field and the FDA have focused much more on the search for domain specific treatments rather than those depending on traditional measures of efficacy in DSM disorders. NIMH programs such as RDoC and the "Fast-Fail" initiative are provided as efforts which influence and involve partnerships with industry. The evolution of the field over the last decade is such that there is a shared focus across sources of funding in the public sector, especially NIH brain institutes, on the tools needed to de-risk psychiatric drug development to the degree needed to encourage private sector investment in the clinical trials needed to advance potential new treatments for areas of greatest need. Expansion of funding for translational tool development will have the highest impact on delivering novel treatments.

The advancement of Ethiopia's salt iodization programme-The success story of the central iodized facilities.

The objective of this article is to characterize the value of centralized iodization facilities (CIFs) to advance Ethiopia's salt iodization programme and its impact on the population iodine status. The analysis is based on a review of publications relating to salt iodization and iodine deficiency control efforts in Ethiopia. The country has made remarkable progress in improving iodized salt coverage, leading to improved iodine intake across its population that would otherwise be at high risk of iodine deficiency disorders. Establishment of central processing facilities, more frequent monitoring and generation of data and encouraging private sector investment have been instrumental in this achievement. Ethiopia has thus achieved and sustained greater than 89% HH iodized salt coverage from its lowest point of 15% coverage and subsequently improved iodine intake across its population. Iodine intake sufficiency in a population is assessed by median urinary iodine concentration (MUIC). The lessons learned and the experience with CIFs have applicability in several other countries where fragmented salt production continues to create barriers to achieve higher iodized salt coverage.

Evaluating feed-in tariff policies on enhancing geothermal development in Indonesia

Geothermal is vital for sustainably meeting Indonesia's energy demand, given its estimated massive reserves potential equivalent to 24 GW of electricity. The Indonesian government has set geothermal contributions to the national energy mix at 7,241.5 MW by 2025 and 17,546 MW by 2050, despite harnessing such vast potential needing significant investment. To that goal, the government established a feed-in tariff (FIT) mechanism to encourage private sector investment in geothermal development. However, FIT has undergone significant alterations in a short period. Moreover, various complicating factors—bureaucracy, social, and technical—exist alongside FIT implementation. Therefore, the extent that FIT can effectively enhance geothermal development in Indonesia should be challenged with further investigation. This study explores the efficacy of FIT policies for geothermal electricity by comparing the performance of several FIT schemes in terms of their impact on the government's target achievement. This study combines the policy analysis framework with system dynamics modeling to understand the dynamic interaction of FIT policy and other important components in geothermal development. The findings show that modest bureaucracy and public support are required. Furthermore, to enhance geothermal development more effectively, FIT should be at least 11 cents US$/kWh and accompanied by technical breakthroughs and government-funded exploration activities.

Bridges over Troubled Waters? The Political Economy of Public-Private Partnerships in the Water Sector

Global concerns about water security and water scarcity are motivating local governments, investors, and international financial institutions to prioritize investments in the water sector. Over the past thirty years, public–private partnerships (PPPs) have been popular mechanisms for encouraging private sector investment and helping local governments overcome economic, political, and technical challenges associated with large infrastructure projects in the water, electricity, and transportation sectors. We argue that the political economy factors that affect the prevalence of PPPs in the water sector—which must serve broad populations of people at low cost—are different than other types of infrastructure projects. We use the World Bank’s Private Participation in Infrastructure (PPI) database to explore factors that affect the likelihood that PPPs will be initiated in water relative to other sectors, and in water treatment relative to water utilities. We demonstrate that the likelihoods of PPPs in the water sector and water treatment are positively correlated with levels of output from industries that are water-intensive and pollution-intensive when the host country relies heavily on fossil fuels to generate electricity. Furthermore, when corruption levels are high, projects are more likely to be initiated in water than in other sectors, but those investments are more likely to be in water utilities than water treatment.

The power of push factors on academic's brain drain in higher education system in Sudan

This study aimed to investigate the level of push factors of brain drain among the academics in the Sudanese higher education system. The status of a university environment, lack of research policy, and intellectual freedom led Sudanese higher education institutions to lose a growing number of highly qualified professors. The study aspires to identify the power of work environment, career development, livelihood, and political factors in higher education and to what extent do these antecedents predict brain drain. The study used a convergent mixed research approach. To that end, 380 participants were taken through simple random sampling techniques. Quantitative data was collected from teachers using closed-ended questions. At the same time, vice-chancellors, faculty deans, and department heads were interviewed. Quantitative data was analyzed through mean scores, one-sample t-test, and linear regression analysis and ANOVA respectively. Qualitative data was analyzed through thematic narration. The study found that addressing push factors by improving the work environment to meet employers’ expectations, going through career development barriers, stabilizing the political environment, restructuring wages and remunerations could control the brain drain. It is also found that improved governance creates an ideal academic environment by maintaining relevant legislation, supplying funds for activities, and pursuing training and capacity-building initiatives to prevent brain drain. The study recommended that leaders and stakeholders enforce proper strategies and policies for environmental improvement and encourage private sector investment in higher education. Also, policymakers and funding agencies should pass legislation to fill the wage gap, which absorbs migration.

Zambian farm blocks: A vehicle for increased private sector investments

AbstractThe Zambian government has introduced the farm block development programme (FBDP) to facilitate agricultural land and rural development and encourage private sector investment. This study assessed whether the FBDP achieves these goals. Key obstacles and possible opportunities were also identified and, where appropriate, specific corrective actions were recommended. Qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews conducted in Lusaka with various stakeholders of the FBDP. The FBDP is designed to facilitate agricultural land development and encourage private sector investment. However, the programme falls far short in terms of implementation, amidst policy uncertainty and lack of support. This is evident by the insecurity of land tenure which negatively affects small- and medium-scale producers’ access to financing, lack of infrastructure development of these farm blocks, and constraints in the agricultural sector such as low labour productivity and poor access to service expertise. It is recommended that innovative policy interventions should be created to support agricultural development. This can be achieved by following a multistakeholder approach through involving private, public and non-profit sectors such as non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and donors.

Contracting-out care: The socio-spatial politics of nursing home care at the intersection of British Columbia’s labor, land, and capital markets

The provincial health services labor market was fundamentally altered in 2002 with the introduction of a series of legislative and policy changes enabling the contracting-out, or subcontracting, of care workers in nursing home facilities in order to encourage private sector investment in nursing home infrastructure and provision. This legislation was intended to shrink provincial expenses and replace aging facilities through partnerships with the private sector that would keep debt off provincial books. Through in-depth interviews with front-line workers and provincial and Health Authority administrators, this research foregrounds care as a political relationship by mapping how these legislative changes related to provincial budget concerns splintered a specialized labor market, eroding both working and caring conditions, and exposing eldercare in British Columbia, Canada to the speculative dynamics of finance.

European Integration, Economy and Corruption in the Western Balkans

The European Union countries and institutions have constantly contributed to the European integration process of the Western Balkan countries. Albania, Serbia, Montenegro and the Republic of North Macedonia are official candidates for EU membership. Chapters and accession negotiations have been opened with Montenegro and Serbia, whereas Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina are potential candidate countries. Poverty, unemployment and corruption are probably the most common problems that Western Balkan citizens face. Corruption, in itself, does not lead to poverty, but it stimulate poverty through indirect channels by affecting economic, social, political and administrative conditions. Both, the enhancement of business climate for private investors, and a higher level of integration with the European Union will decrease unemployment and will boost economic growth. Authorities should follow concrete policies in order to encourage private sector investment, increase regional integration, and create new jobs. The future of the Western Balkans is in the European Union.

Renewable Energy, Regulation, Employment and Environmental Sustainability in Sub-Saharan Africa

This paper examines the impact of employment, regulatory quality and urbanization on environmental quality by using renewable energy as a metric of environmental indicator in sub-Saharan Africa. The environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) theory was used as the theoretical framework while the difference Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) was utilised as the estimation technique. 45 sub-Saharan African countries covering the period of 2008 to 2016 were used as the sample size. The result reveals that increase in employment and income is at expense of environmental quality while regulation quality and urbanization increase environmental quality. As such, policymaking in the region should support the development of renewable energy by providing incentives that encourage private sector investment in renewable energy; implement sound policies and regulations that promote private sector employment and smart cities development. Keywords : Renewable energy; environment, regulation, employment, sub-Saharan Africa DOI : 10.7176/DCS/9-7-04 Publication date :July 31 st 2019

Scaling up private investment in low-carbon energy systems through regional cooperation: Effective trade policy measures

How to ensure energy supply and reduce environment pollution have turned into governments’ top priorities and key factors to maintain sustainable development. In this context, two major trade and investment agreements that could lead to profound influence on low-carbon energy systems development around the Asia-Pacific region are the Regional comprehensive economic partnership (RCEP) consisted of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) plus Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, and Republic of Korea and the Belt and road initiative (BRI) initiated by China. In order to have a smooth transition to low-carbon energy systems in Asia, besides RCEP and BRI it is imperative to boost private sector investment. Success of encouraging private sector investment depends on appropriate government policies towards promoting innovations and reducing financial risks to private investors. The research questions that are examined in this study are: What type of policy measures affects trade in low-carbon transition, particularly renewable energy (RE) transition? How can investment signals and incentives be reframed to scale up private finance in RE? The objective is to investigate and to provide several feasible trade policy and investment policy tools for both national and regional markets that governments could adopt to accelerate the speed of private financing of the low-carbon energy industry, particularly the RE industry.

Estimating Peak uranium production in China – Based on a Stella model

This paper uses the Logistic Curve and the STELLA model to simulate the Hubbert Peak uranium production in China. We used three scenarios to estimate China's Peak uranium. And the results are quite robust. According to Scenario 3, the Hubbert Peak uranium production is expected to be reached in 2065 with 4605 t per year. Before the peak, China's uranium demand will grow at the rate of about 7.69% per year, which is about three times the growth rate of production. China's uranium import dependence is estimated to continue to increase. In order to improve uranium resources security, the Chinese government needs to increase investment in uranium ore exploration, encourage private sector's investment in uranium production to promote competition, and improve cooperation with non-uranium mining enterprises for more efficient use of resources. To enhance the country's uranium security, China should establish development funds, accelerate acquisition of uranium enterprises abroad, increase R&D in the unconventional uranium resources such as phosphate mine, and take advantage of price downturn in uranium market to increase strategic reserves.

Does Financial and Trade liberalization Drive Private Investment in Pakistan?

There is evidence in economic growth literature that private investment enhances economic growth of developing countries. Recent economic growth policies in Pakistan has concentrated more on encouraging private sector investment through the liberalization of the financial and trade sectors. However, previous studies have ignored the impact of trade and financial liberalization on private investment. This study investigates the short- and long-run impact of financial and trade liberalization on private investment in Pakistan. Using the data from 1971–2014 on the ARDL bounds testing approach to cointegration, our result suggests that: First, per capita real private income, public investment, and financial liberalization are positively related to private investment in the long run; Second, real interest rate and trade openness are negatively related to private investment in the long run; and finally, the short-run results indicate that capital account liberalization and financial openness are positively associated with private savings.

Introduction: Challenges to Africa's Agricultural Transformation

Introduction: Challenges to Africa's Agricultural Transformation

EGYPT: Encouraging Private Sector Investment

Africa Research Bulletin: Economic, Financial and Technical SeriesVolume 54, Issue 3 p. 21633B-21633C Policy and Practice EGYPT: Encouraging Private Sector Investment First published: 02 May 2017 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6346.2017.07604.xRead the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. Volume54, Issue3May 2017Pages 21633B-21633C RelatedInformation

Does Financial Development Drive Private Investment in Ghana?

There is ample evidence from economic growth literature that investment accelerates economic growth and development of developing countries, of which Ghana is not an exception. Based on this, recent growth and development policies in Ghana have focused more on encouraging private sector investment through the development of the financial sector. This paper investigates the short- and long-run impact of financial development on private investment in Ghana for the years 1970–2014. Additionally, to find out whether the measurement of financial development matters for private investment, several indicators of financial development are used. The results, based on the ARDL bounds testing approach to cointegration, suggest that financial development has not been a key driver of private investment in the long run, while, in the short run, the effect of financial development on private investment depends on how financial development is measured. Given these results, policy makers should be circumspect regarding the choice of financial development indicator used as a policy instrument in the design and implementation of private investment policies for Ghana.

English

Zambia’s efforts to diversify from mining to agriculture have seen many interventions aimed at improving the productivity of smallholder farmers. These efforts have produced poor results, as productivity has remained low. This study used 121 semi structured interviews, two focus group discussions and several key informant interviews to investigate smallholder farmers’ challenges over the course of a farming season, focusing on the main farming operations during different phases of the farming cycle. Results show that labour shortages during land preparation and weeding; and limited access to mineral fertilizer and hybrid seed constrain most households (83%) ability to increase total cultivated land. All the households engaged in rain-fed maize (Zea mays) production, while only 33% produced irrigated crops. The over dominance of maize production was a response to the opportunity provided by state subsidization of inputs and maize pricing, as well as the liberal macro-economic environment. Post-harvest losses due to pests were reported by 42.1% of the respondents; 25% cited high transport costs while 25% lamented the low market prices for farm produce immediately after harvest as important challenges. Proximity to an international border and an atmosphere that encourage private sector investment and cross border trade were important opportunities for the famers to sell off their production. Additionally, being in a relatively highly populated mining district provided local market opportunities not available to farmers in rural areas. It is concluded that understanding of challenges and opportunities over the course of a farming season would aid development actors in designing and implementing appropriate interventions. Key words: Agricultural productivity, weeding, markets, rain-fed, farming inputs, Mufulira.

Sasan Power Ltd.

Sasan Power project was part of Governments bold new program of adding 50000 MwH generation capacity by means of setting up 12 new Ultra Mega Power Plants to meet the increasing energy demands of the economy. Initially Sasan Power Ltd was incorporated as a Special Purpose Company (SPC), wholly owned by the Power Finance Corporation (PFC). The SPL was responsible for activities like site selection, obtaining coalmines wherever applicable, acquiring land, obtaining various clearances & approvals to expedite the developments. Located at Pithead, the coal-fired plant would have capacity of 4000 MwH using super critical technology. The PFC carried out an International Competitive Bidding process and awarded SPL to the Reliance Power who quoted the lowest levelised tariff of Rs. 1.19 per unit. Subsequently Reliance Power had built and commissioned Sasan Power Plant and would supply electricity as per the long term Power Purchase Agreement with 14 procurers. In UMPP program, the Ministry of Power recognized the need to move away from cost plus approach for tariff determination to further encourage private sector investment. The program had many distinctive advantages as compared to traditional Independent Power Plants using subcritical technology in terms the scale, efficiency, consultative process used for development of the plants. However the UMPP dream have soured in more then one-way ranging with the tariff determination, rising fuel cost, delays, cost escalations, environmental clearances for mining, fuel procurement and so on. The case provides opportunities for understanding the development in power sector and the issues the Sponsors and the regulators faced in implementing the ambitious Sasan Ultra Mega Power plant. The case illustrates the unique opportunities created in the Indian power industry by changes in regulations; technology and structure of power plants. The formations of shell companies that would transferred to private parties to built own and operate ultra mega power plants strategically located at ports or pithead. Long term Power Purchase Agreements with multiple utilities would be signed. The program marked a new era of use of super critical technology, ultra mega scale to significantly lower the cost of energy resulting in to very competitive fixed levelised tariffs as against the cost plus tariff used traditionally. The issue is to estimate the value – attractiveness of the investment and associated opportunities and why did the program fail?