Growth In Asia Research Articles

Global Food Security—Introduction

Global Food Security—Introduction

Has South Asia Benefited from the Growth of Asian Emerging Economies?

India and China are two Asian emerging economies with the unprecedented growth. In the context of slowdown in North since 2008, many have argued that the emerging economies can be drivers of growth of South. However, not much empirical evidence is available to support this argument. This article estimates the growth linkages between the South Asia and its economies, and the two Asian emerging economies in terms of cointegration and causation in their growth rates. Both short-term and long-term relationships are tested for the period 1970–2009. The tests for structural breaks are also undertaken. The results show that there is a long-term relationship as well as short-term relationship between China’s growth and growth South Asia (excluding India). In the post-structural break period, that is, post-1985, the relationship is found to be two way, with China also benefitting from growth of South Asia. India, on the other hand, seems to have limited integration with the region. The only relationship that is found between India’s growth and that of other countries’ growth in the region is with Bangladesh and Bhutan.

Should We Be Sceptical about Prospects for an ‘Asian Century’?

AbstractMany official and private commentators, particularly in Australia and in the Asian region, argue that the world is heading inexorably towards an ‘Asian Century’. They foresee a fundamental shift of economic and political power away from the West that will transform the world economy and global politics. I argue that, notwithstanding emerging Asia's undoubted economic achievements, this claim is premature and potentially misleading for three main reasons: implicit in many of these claims are implausible historical analogies with earlier eras of European and American dominance; linear projections of continued Asian growth outperformance may not be realised in practice; and even if rapid growth were to be sustained, the domestic and external obstacles to the collective global influence of Asia will probably remain profound. The implication is that businesses, citizens and policy‐makers, especially those operating in the Asian region, will face a much more uncertain and challenging environment than is sometimes acknowledged.

Does income distribution matter for development? Trends in labour share of income and their economic impacts in developing countries

Does income distribution matter for development? Trends in labour share of income and their economic impacts in developing countries

Australia and resources in the Asian century

The Australian Government's White Paper ‘Australia in the Asian Century’ is the first large‐scale official look in the twenty‐first century at economic change in Asia and how it affects Australian opportunities and challenges. This paper comments on the analysis embodied in and the objectives defined by the White Paper, especially as it relates to Australian resources. This paper generally endorses the aspirations of the White Paper and notes that their achievement is going to require efforts and changes beyond those that are currently contemplated. It comments briefly on six things: the development context of twenty‐first century Asian growth; growth and structural change in Asia and Australia's terms of trade; macroeconomic management of a resource‐intensive Australian economy; restoring productivity growth; excellence in education; and linking Australia to Asian opportunity.

Revisiting the institutions–growth nexus in developing countries: The new evidence

In this paper we revisit the institutions–growth nexus in developing countries including the East Asian region. The region has in the past three decades not only achieved spectacular economic growth, but also experienced one of the worst financial crises, i.e. Asian financial crisis (AFC) in 1997–1998. Utilising the neoclassical growth framework augmented with institutional controls and latest estimation technique in panel data analysis, this study finds evidence of positive institutions effect on growth. Nonetheless, the evidence is limited to security of property rights only with no similar evidence on efficient bureaucracy and strong government. This study also uncovers the channel of the institutional effects on economic growth, i.e. via total factors productivity. This study adds to the literature of East Asian growth, which hitherto, to the best of our knowledge, has seen only two studies, namely Rodrik (1997) ‘TFPG controversies, institutions, and economic performance in East Asia’ and Campos and Nugent (1999) ‘Development performance and the institutions of governance: Evidence from East Asia and Latin America’ that document the evidence of institutional importance on economic growth, and these studies are however for the period before the AFC.

Passive Application through Solar Induce Ventilation on Sustainable Building in Equatorial Hemisphere

In the last couple of years and years to come Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia are having the highest GDP growth in ASEAN (South East Asia Nations) member countries; at present Indonesia has the highest GDP, it was $845 billion in 2011 and is predicted to grow up to $ 2,200 billion in 2030. In line with economic growth the countries energy demand also sharply increases, Indonesia primary energy demand has increased four folds in the past 30 years, while the region increase almost five folds. The main energy consumer in the country mainly coming from transportation sector, followed by industrial and residential sectors, while buildings combined (residential and commercial sector) accounted in more than 30% from the total energy consumption.The study focused on alternatives cooling appliances through passive method, where electricity and other source of energy are very limited to be used. The highest cooling appliances for middle class houses are either standing fan or ceiling fan, an alternatives design is developed and simulated by using CFD modeling tools with a tropical climate in Jakarta as the boundaries. The study shows that the passive method could reduce in more than 1800kg CO2eq annually.

The Implications of Diagnosis of Small for Gestational Age Fetuses Using European and South Asian Growth Charts: An Outcome-Based Comparative Study

The antenatal condition of small for gestational age (SGA) is significantly associated with perinatal morbidity and mortality and it is known that there are significant differences in birth weight and fetal size among different populations. The aim of our study was to assess the impact on outcomes of the diagnosis of SGA according to Bangladeshi and European antenatal growth charts in Sri Lankan population. The estimated fetal weight before delivery was retrospectively reviewed according to Bangladeshi and European growth references. Three groups were identified: Group 1-SGA according to Bangladeshi growth chart; Group 2-SGA according to European growth chart but not having SGA according to Bangladeshi growth chart; Group 3-No SGA according to both charts. There was a difference in prevalence of SGA between Bangladeshi and European growth charts: 12.7% and 51.7%, respectively. There were statistically significant higher rates in emergency cesarean section, fetal distress in labour, and intrauterine death (P < 0.001) in Group 1 compared with Group, 2 and 3. No differences of outcomes occurred between Groups 2 and 3. Our study demonstrated that only cases diagnosed as SGA according to population-based growth charts are at risk of adverse outcome. The use of inappropriate prenatal growth charts might lead to misdiagnosis and potential unnecessary interventions.

Relationship between Military Expenditure and Economic Growth in ASEAN: Evidence from Indonesia

World military expenditure in post-Cold War world shows increasing trend especially in ASEAN region; Indonesia is no exception. The trend may have been supported by the argument that military expenditure has positive multiplier effects on economic growth. Unfortunately, there have been not too many studies on the effect of military expenditure on economic growth in the Indonesia context. This paper examines the topic by first reviewing literature on the relationship between military expenditure and economic growth, then by empirically testing the causal relationship between the two variables by using the Augmented Sollow Growth Model. The result shows that Indonesia's military expenditure has positive effect on the country's economic growth, which is most possibly caused by development of human capital as effect of military expenditure.

Analysis of Asian Logistics Trade and Merchandise Growth

Analysis of simulation , go on sequentially according to the step designed: (1)Select the national targets analyses, (2) consult the research model of the foreign research institution, select the important ginseng parameter which influences the national risk, (3) predict or suppose that joins perhaps changes the direction and degree of the parameter, (4) observe the risk parameter susceptibility under different situations, (5) explain the reason why the risk changes. Set up the relevant research database in the country in Southeast Asia at the same time , collecting the materials respect can pass relevant organizations , such as foreign trade association , Bank of Communications ,etc. , or investigate the relevant various countries , key unit of interview and relevant research institution or the manufacturer . In addition, can exchange through the international materials, set up database line and information and exchange plans with the domestic and international relevant research institution.

A STUDY ON DEVELOPING A MONITORING SYSTEM FOR THE BIMP-EAGA REGION

BIMP-EAGA, which stands for Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA), is Asia’s largest regional grouping. One of the main purposes of setting up BIMP-EAGA is to address the socio-economic development of the less developed and marginalized areas of the four member countries. Thus, it is important to develop a poverty monitoring system for the region and thereafter, determine the progress in poverty eradication programmes.However, prior to the development of a poverty monitoring system, the definition of poverty for this region has to be identified and standardized for the four countries. This exploratory study will be based on qualitative research methodology given that there has not been any prior study on poverty monitoring for the BIMP-EAGA region. From a total of 11 focus areas, 7 focus areas have been selected for this study. Areas selected are Brunei Darussalam, Sulawesi and Kalimantan (Indonesia), Sabah and Sarawak (Malaysia), and Mindanao and Palawan (Philippines). The results for incidence of poverty for the selected areas in Malaysia (between 5.3% and 19.7% in 2009) and Indonesia (between 10.1% and 17.9% in 2007) show significant improvement since 2004. The results for Philippine range between 37.6% and 40.8% in 2006. All available data on Brunei Darussalam show none of its citizens are living in poverty.

Inflation dynamics in Asia: Causes, changes, and spillovers from China

The perception that Asia's inflation dynamics are driven by idiosyncratic supply shocks implies, as a corollary, a limited scope for policy responses to inflationary pressures. However, Asia's fast growth and integration with the global economy in the last couple of decades suggest that the drivers of inflation may have changed. This paper presents a quantitative analysis of inflation dynamics in Asia using a Global VAR (GVAR) model, which explicitly incorporates trade and financial linkages among economies, as well as the role of regional and global inflationary spillovers. Our results suggest that over the past two decades, the main drivers of inflation in Asia have been monetary and supply shocks; but that, in recent years, the contribution of these shocks to the region's inflation has fallen. Domestic demand pressures, however, have played a larger role in driving inflation in Asia over the last decade. Moreover, economies in the region are exposed to notable inflation spillovers from China, both directly from higher imported goods prices and indirectly through higher commodity prices.

China's Decentralized and Inegalitarian Developmental State

This article investigates China's market reforms and rapid economic development from the late 1970s. The following questions are posed: (1) How did the Chinese ‘peasant revolution’ and the rural policies and institutions of Mao China influence the market reforms and subsequent economic development? (2) How does China's development after the market reforms relate to Marxist and Polanyian notions of proletarization and commodification of land and labour as preconditions of capitalist development? (3) To what extent and why does China's development after the market reforms diverge from East Asian growth with equity? (4) How does China's ‘decentralized developmental state’ influence its growth model and distribution? (5) The present Chinese government tries to promote greater equality and more domestic consumption. Is this a Polanyian ‘double movement’ in response to commodification of land and labour? How likely are these policies to succeed? These questions are addressed through historical–comparative analyses with comparisons of long-term rural dynamics of Mao China and the former Soviet Union. China after the market reforms is compared with England during its transition to agrarian capitalism and industrial capitalism from the sixteenth century through the early nineteenth century and with Taiwan and South Korea from the late 1940s until the 1980s.

Export-led Growth, Gateway Cities and Urban Systems Development in Pre-World War II Southeast Asia

Between the 1870s and World War II, falls in world shipping costs and Western industrialisation gave rise to export-led Southeast Asian growth and specialisation in a narrow range of primary commodity exports. A linked development was the emergence of a few dominant Southeast Asian urban centres, typically primate and always ports. Drawing on historical census data, this article uses rank-size distributions and transition matrices to investigate the influence of commodity specialisation and exports on urban systems development in the region. It is argued that different commodities produced different spread effects, resulting in variation in degrees of urban concentration in the region. However, geography, path dependence and infrastructure also shaped urban systems development. The main cities that emerged during this period became the ‘gateways’ that connected frontier Southeast Asia to the global economy. Cities dominant in 1939 retain this status in today's Southeast Asia.

Navigating a Changing World Economy: ASEAN, the PRC and India, 2010-2030

Most projections envision continued rapid growth in ASEAN, the PRC and India over the next two decades. By 2030, they could quadruple their output, virtually eliminate extreme poverty, and dramatically transform the lives of their more than 3 billion citizens. The impact will be felt across the world. This study -- a background paper to an Asian Development Bank report -- used a Computable General Equilibrium model to examine the likely effects of the region's growth on trade, resources and the environment, as well as the implications of the many risks the region faces from its internal and the external environment.

Can Asia Sustain an Export-Led Growth Strategy in the Aftermath of the Global Crisis? An Empirical Exploration

Many developing countries have attempted to pursue the East Asian growth model in recent decades. This model is widely perceived to have been based on export-led growth. Given that developed countries are likely to grow at a slower rate and be less willing to run trade deficits in the post-financial-crisis world, can this growth model be sustained? Using panel data for Asian countries, this paper contributes to addressing this question by distinguishing between different kinds of export- and tradable-led growth in order to more precisely identify the nature of growth in the pre-crisis decades. We find in particular that, among our variables of interest, the proportion of a country's manufactured exports that is destined for industrialized countries is the one most robustly associated with output growth. The results have implications for continued post-crisis growth in Asian developing countries.

East Asian growth experience revisited from the perspective of a neoclassical model

The business cycle accounting “wedge” methodology is used to identify the mechanisms driving the rapid growth of Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan since 1966. Analysis with a neoclassical growth model reveals that growth in these economies has been sustained by different mechanisms at different stages of development. Factor accumulation, which arises primarily from increases in capital wedges, accounts for most of the rapid growth in the earlier stages. However, in the later stages, total factor productivity growth becomes the primary driver.

Financial Development, Economic Growth and Financial Crisis in Asian Emerging Economies

This article examines the causality between financial development, economic growth and financial crisis in India, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia and Thailand; all these countries are known as emerging economies with well known financial crisis episodes. The summary indicators of financial development, financial crisis and financial repression are created through the principal component method . The cointegration and Granger causality are investigated by using two techniques of vector error correction model (VECM) and autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL). The main findings are: (1) the direction of the finance-growth nexus is a country-specific matter ; (2) deeper financial development c an lead to financial crisis; and (3) financial crisis has a negative impact on economic growth (except Korea for the last two).

Abstract 129: Effect of Immigration to the US on Prevalence of Hypertension and Obesity in Asians

Introduction: In the United States, three fourths of the Asian population growth has been due to immigration. However, the effect of immigration on health of Asian immigrants has not been studied systematically. The goal of this project was to evaluate the effect of immigration on hypertension and obesity prevalence in Far East Asians. Hypothesis : The prevalence of hypertension and obesity is higher in Asians who immigrated to US as compared to Asians residing in the country of birth. Methods: We used the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) and the US National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) to compare prevalence of hypertension and obesity in each population. The KNHANES is a national survey conducted by the Korea Institute of Health and Social Affairs with a multistage probability sampling design. The NHIS is an annual public health survey collected in US to monitor the overall health of US population. From NHIS, a subgroup of adults born in Korea and neighboring Far East countries who immigrated to US were compared to adults residing in Korea. In order to conduct a case-control study, Korean immigrants from NHIS were matched with Koreans from KNHANES by age, sex and income level in 1:1 ratio. The prevalence of hypertension and obesity (BMI≥25 kg/m 2 ) was evaluated then in both cohorts. The case-control study was limited to the subjects of 40 years and older. Results: Overall, in the KNHANES adult population 27% reported to have high blood pressure and 34% had BMI≥25 whereas in the NHIS Korean population 30% had hypertension and 37% had obesity. The case-control study based on matching Korean adults from KNHANES and NHIS included 236 adults from each survey who were 40 years and older, 55% were females, 67% belonged to the high income group, and the mean age was 54.4±11.7. In the controls from Korean NHANES, 26% (N=60) reported to have hypertension and 32% (N=76) had a BMI&gt;25 whereas in the matched cases from US NHIS 31% (N=73) had hypertension and 36% (N=86) had BMI&gt;26. The differences in hypertension and obesity prevalence between two groups were statistically significant (P&lt;0.05). Conclusions: The overall prevalence of hypertension and obesity was lower in Koreans residing in the country of birth than in Koreans who immigrated to the United States.

Are trade spillover effects on East Asian economic growth productivity driven?

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to incorporate the spillover effects of trade on East Asian productivity, namely China, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.Design/methodology/approach – This study attempts to fill in the gaps of previous studies by developing applications of extensive growth theory that shows the trade spillover effects on productivity growth of ASEAN 5 plus3. It further provides a meaningful statistical analysis in which, the first step of the estimation to get the coefficients of the explanatory variables that has been used by econometric approach. It can be restated here that in addition, a second step that plugs the parameters of the variables into the model in order to compute the contribution rates of productivity indicators including the calculation of the residual of the model (total factor productivity – TFP) and GDP contributions being used by growth accounting approach. The TFP is considered be trade spillover effects indicator that is ...