National Economic Development Plan Research Articles

An energy system model-based approach to investigate cost-optimal technology mixes for the Cuban power system to meet national targets

Cuba’s power supply is characterized by the dependence on imported oil, outdated power plants and frequent power curtailment. Cuba’s government aims at changing this situation through the National Economic and Social Development Plan, which targets a renewable share of 37% in 2030. In the longer term, the Cuban government has already acknowledged the goal of 100% renewable electricity supply. This work reviews the current ambitions of the Cuban government and provides a scientific approach to identifying the most cost-effective 100% renewable energy system in 2030. First, we study whether the generation mix proposed by the Cuban government to reach 37% renewables is the most cost-effective. Second, we run a simulation that considers fossil and renewable energy technologies purely to optimize costs. Third, we investigate the renewable future for Cuba with a simulation under the constraint of a 100% renewable energy share. Our results suggest that energy sector plans should be reconsidered from a techno-economic point of view: With the overall cost-optimization, we find that much higher renewable energy shares of over 80% are possible at lower overall costs. Finally, we analyze that the cost viability of a 100% renewable electricity depends largely on the ability to use Cuba's biomass resources to balance solar generation.

How Could Digital Transformation Help Medium-Sized Enterprises Access Thailand’s New Capital Market Financing (LiVEx) to Support Sustainable Growth in the Digital Economy Era?

In today’s modern era, digital transformation serves as a crucial element for organizations to gain a competitive edge and optimize their operating systems. However, medium-sized enterprises in Thailand face difficulties in accessing capital market financing, despite its significance in promoting the development of small- and medium-sized enterprises according to the 13th National Economic and Social Development Plan. One potential solution to this issue is digital transformation, which can help these enterprises achieve their strategic business objectives and find a reliable source of funding while enhancing their reputation and credibility, thereby contributing to the growth of the economy as a whole. This study utilized a mixed-methods approach to explore how digital transformation can assist medium-sized enterprises in accessing LiVEx, a new capital market for Thai SMEs. We conducted extensive research and interviewed 12 senior executives across three groups, government agencies, LiVEx-listed companies, and social associations, to develop a questionnaire and conceptual model. Data collected from 360 individuals working in medium-sized enterprises in Thailand collected using an online questionnaire were then analyzed, using CFA and SEM techniques to validate the model. Our study emphasizes the importance of digital literacy, digital usage, and digital advocacy in the success of digital transformation in accessing Thai capital market financing. These findings serve as a valuable knowledge repository for future research.

PUBLIC SERVICE OF CREATIVE CITY IN PHUKET FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT

Public Service in Thailand is changed by national and international social factors which it can be said that an investment from privatesector in government affairs are one of the efficiency service opportunities to people. The public service of the creative city in Phuket according to the mission of the local government organization where the power and duty to solve problems in the area to meet theneeds of the people. The local government organizations carry out their missions in accordance with the National Economic and SocialDevelopment Plan provincial development plan district development plans, district development plans, public policies and policies of local administrators. Regarding to the seven (7) missions of local government organizations with Act Prescribing Plans and Decentralization Procedures for Local Government Organizations in 1999 which are comprise of: (1) Standard Structure; (2) Quality of life; (3) Social discipline and safety; (4) Investment plan and Commerce and tourism contribution; (5) Conservation management in natural resources and environment; (6) Religion, Culture, and Local innovation; and (7) Managing and supporting in missions of government agencies and local government organizations. In addition, the innovation of public service in the creative city of Phuket is to develop a city which can support the city growth. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is aimed to provide a brief overview of the public service innovation and creative city: Phuket, Thailand. This can serve as a lesson to the government in terms of formulating policies and strategies to handle the pandemic in the future.

Identifying Business Potential for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) Based on Developmental Plans in Penang, Malaysia

This study aims to identifythe business potential possibilities for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and explore the ways in which such businesses and state, regional and national economic development planning may interact. Drawing insights from Penang’s development plans and/or blueprints, this paper generates a typology of such plans and maps them accordingly in terms of economic sector. In capturing the national and state development plan and/or policies for its economic progress, research methodology through a content analysis was done by referring to the documents issued by Penang and national agencies The strategies will help equip a way forward for SMEs to grow in response to these development plans. By participating in the main economic sectors this strategy will directly bring benefits for SMEs’ as they will be able to have wider access to markets, including government programs and incentives. When SMEs align their business model with what an economy is trying to achieve policy-wise, this endeavor will to a certain extent mitigate the common challenges that hinder SMEs’ growth.

Education development in rural China as an important factor for socio-economic development in the 14<sup>th</sup> Five-Year Plan period

Against the backdrop of major reforms in education development in the 21st century, in the run-up to the adoption of China’s new 14th Five-Year National Economic and Social Development Plan (the 14th Five-Year Plan), plans for education development in rural China have been announced again and again. However, it is no longer just a question of ensuring quality basic education, but also of developing other segments of education as an essential component of the country’s continued economic growth. The authorities are now taking a more comprehensive approach to the development of the country’s rural areas, so the most pressing issues in this regard are included in the agenda: ensuring the quality of education, training personnel in rural areas, creating conditions for improving the skills of those employed in agriculture, as well as issues related to the social features of regional development, creating favorable living, working and social security conditions for the elderly, whose numbers are increasing every year. Such a comprehensive approach to solving the problems of socio-economic development of rural regions will be one of the most important points in the implementation of the new five-year plan.

Scholarship for catching up? The Indonesia Endowment Fund for Education (LPDP) scholarship program as a pillar of economic development policy

This paper analyzes the Indonesia Endowment Fund for Education (Lembaga Penjamin Dana Pendidikan, LPDP) post-graduate scholarship program as a policy instrument of the Indonesian government. It illustrates the formation and redefinition of the endowment fund into a policy instrument which ties up education with a broader human resource/human capital development agenda geared toward supporting especially in the context of Indonesian government’s agenda for economic catch up. The LPDP scholarship extended and expanded the Indonesian government’s subsidizing of learning—often part of economic growth and catchup theories, providing the country’s economy including its private sector batches of post-graduate degree holders. Although studies on the role and impact of post-graduate are still limited, their position relative to Indonesian workforce in general may give a nod to the government’s expectation that the scholarship alumni would take up various leadership positions in the society. The LPDP being an endowment fund whose operating budget is separate from regular government budget makes it likely to be resilient unless there is a significant intervention or external shock, and the enduring centrality of the scholarship among LPDP programs implies the government’s willingness to bet on expanding the access to post-graduate education as a component of national economic development planning.

State regulation as a factor of social significance of China’s modern culture industry

The article is based on the study of state-party normative documents, such as the National Cultural Development Plan, The Cultural Industries Reinvigoration Plan, the National Economic and Social Development Plans China’s National Economic and Social Development Plans for the Twelfth, Thirteenth and Fourteenth FiveYear Plan periods. The focus on cultural projects is understood as an instrument of China’s soft power in its foreign policy course. In addition, national projects of educational and cultural nature are given the importance of state branding in the system of global reforms undertaken in the country. The article considers such reasons for the authorities to address cultural issues as the inadequate system of services provided in the field of education and culture; the predominance of small-scale commodity production in the cultural industry. The lack of professionalism of the management of the cultural institutions has negative consequences for the cultural ecology. The tasks of state regulation are: improvement of general cultural characteristics of the population and society as a whole, economic growth, preservation of the environment, increase of material level of the population.

김정은 정권의 생존전략과 ‘과학·기술·교육’의 역할

The purpose of this paper is to clarify the role of the Kim Jong-un regime's survival strategy as the topic of "science, technology, and education" emphasized by North Korea in its push for the five-year national economic development plan from 2021.
 Considering that "science, technology, and education" is an important factor in economic growth in the (neo) growth theory, the Kim Jong-un regime's five-year economic development plan must be key factors for the success of the plan.
 In addition, an analysis of why the North Korean authorities make "science, technology, and education" an important topic through 2,228 pages published by the 『Rodong』 Newspaper in 2021 showed that the Kim Jong-un regime's "science, technology, and education" has a strong political and social propaganda meaning and is used as a kind of political instigation/control tool.
 “Science, technology, and education” presented by Kim Jong-un are tools to control the thoughts and actions of internal members to maintain the regime by presenting advanced images to residents.

Possible Role of NPP in Long Term Low Carbon Development Strategy – Case Study Croatia

The term low – emission development strategies (LEDS) was developed on the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 2008. LEDS is used to describe a longterm national economic development plans or strategies that include low emissions and economic growth resistant to climate change. The concept of Low Carbon Development Strategies (LCDS) has been introduced by the Conference of Parties to the UNFCCC as a common but differentiated approach to meet the overall emissions reduction objectives: “All countries shall prepare Low Emission Development Strategies …nationally-driven and represent[ing] the aims and objectives of individual Parties in accordance with national circumstances and capacities” (Cancun Agreement). Low Carbon Development Strategies (LCDS) in this way become an overarching framework to design and achieve Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs) reflecting the Common but Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR) of all countries. For Long-Term National Strategy and Action Plan for Low-Carbon Development the main objective of this programme is the development of a long-term national strategy and action plan for low-carbon development to enable country to fulfil its commitment to carbon obligations. Low-carbon development strategy will become the fundamental for the development of the energy sector with low rate of carbon, but also for the entire economy. European Union is the leader in the effort to reduce emissions especially in the energy sector – sector with the highest rate of emission. With the goal of reducing emissions, necessary measures are accentuated for energy in the EU Countries, as well as in Croatia. The possibilities for realization of Croatian low-carbon development and particularly possible role and barriers for Nuclear power plants for Low carbon emissions development in the electricity sector until 2050 will be presented in this paper.

Avalanche risk analysis using airborne LiDAR data

Natural and man-made disasters are a justified concern causing life-threats damages, affects existing budgets or disrupts national economic and social development plans. In this paper, a digital terrain model (DTM) and a geographic information system (GIS) are used to identify areas with a high risk of avalanches in the Râmeț mountain area of Alba County. Avalanches are the result of a complex interaction between terrain, weather conditions and snow cover characteristics. The most important factor among those listed is the terrain, being the only constant parameter over time. Therefore, the present study focused in particular on the determination of topographic parameters and the realization of a digital terrain model with a resolution of 0.5 m, which allows the small-scale identification of slope angle variations, which are of great interest for avalanche study. This digital terrain model was generated after processing LiDAR data obtained from a scanning campaign for the analyzed area with the Riegl LMS Q680i LiDAR system, located aboard the Hawker Beechcraft King Air C90 GTx aircraft from INCAS. The result of the analysis consisted in mapping the risk of avalanches in the Râmeț mountain area in Alba County.

Dynamic Expansion of Urban Land in China’s Coastal Zone since 2000

Although a major region with strong urbanization, there is not yet a systematic and comprehensive understanding of urban expansion during the last 20 years for China’s coastal zone. In this paper, based on remote sensing techniques, and using indicators such as new urban land proportion, annual urban increase, and annual growth rate, as well as a landscape expansion index reflecting the urban expansion type (e.g., edge-expansion, infilling, and outlying), we measured the dynamic expansion of urban land in China’s coastal zone since 2000. The results indicated that: (1) China’s coastal zone experienced rapid urbanization from 2000 to 2020, with the new urban land and annual urban growth rate at 17,979.72 km2 and 4.83%, respectively. The new urban land was mainly concentrated in economically advanced regions, such as Bohai Rim, Shandong Peninsula, the Yangtze River delta, and the Pearl River delta. (2) The urban growth rates of coastal cities in Liaoning, Hebei, Shandong, southeast Fujian, and Taiwan became slower over time, with a sharp decline during 2015–2020. In the mid and south of China’s coastal zone, such as coastal cities in Jiangsu, Guangxi, and Hainan, there was slow urbanization before 2015, and urban land expanded dramatically during 2015–2020. (3) The urban expansion of China’s coastal zone was dominated by edge-expansion after 2000, but it went through a low-speed and intensive development stage during 2010–2015, with an increase in urban land less than 50% of that in the other three five-year periods, and the most significant filling of urban space compared with the other three five-year periods, which was probably caused by the global financial crisis. (4) The spatial-temporal differences in the urbanization process in China’s coastal zone were largely consequent on national economic development strategies and regional development plans implemented in China’s coastal zone.

The political economy transition in a developing country

The current national economic and social development plan of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) aims to promote economic development, shift the structure of the economy for modern industry, and foster the growth of culture and society (Luangrath, 2019). This results in the economic transition from a centralised economy to a market economy. Consequently, the purpose of this study is to investigate the variables that influence such transitions and the resulting modifications. To achieve these goals, qualitative data analysis, and in-depth interviews were conducted. The results demonstrate that such transition depends on both external (the role of Laos, the influence of China, and the roles of international organisations) and internal factors (mechanisms of state ideology, economic reform, legislation and regulations, and the adaptation of the country’s leaders from one generation to the next). In response to the transitional economy, there are two essential changes, including capital groupings and state adjustments. The study proposes that investors interested in investing in Laos should research the country’s ideological mechanism, new economic reform policies, legislation and regulations, and economic transition history in depth since these are essential elements contributing to the economy in transition.

Transnational education for regional economic development? Understanding Malaysia's and Singapore's strategic coupling in global higher education

AbstractFostering innovation and upskilling labour pools have become key goals in national economic development plans and education and training system reforms since the mid‐1990s. For their transformation into knowledge‐based economies, countries in Southeast Asia have relied on importing transnational higher education providers and have envisioned themselves as international education hubs. As existing research from transnational education and higher education governance studies as well as economic geography and regional studies has not sufficiently addressed this nexus of transnational education and regional economic development, this paper investigates the role of foreign higher education institutions in economic development strategies in Malaysia and Singapore. It explores why and how states have strategically coupled their higher education systems with transnational education. The comparative case analysis draws on empirical evidence from 42 semi‐structured interviews. It finds that despite the two states' ostensibly similar ambitions to attract foreign higher education institutions, policies and outcomes differ strongly. Whereas in Malaysia a structural coupling led foreign subsidiaries to provide foreign degrees to domestic students and generate revenue in the private higher education sector, in Singapore foreign subsidiaries have been deployed strategically to upgrade the talent pool and public higher education system of the city‐state via functional coupling. Conceptualizing transnational education policies as forms of strategic coupling contributes to understanding their embeddedness within states' broader, historically formed economic development strategies.

The Alliance for Progress in Uruguay: Political Dynamics, Legacy and Lessons Learned

During the first half of the 1960s, under the auspices of the Alliance for Progress, Uruguay carried out the most ambitious planning effort of its history. The government set up an office to design the plans: the Technical Secretariat of the Commission on Investment and Economic Development (CIDE, in Spanish). In late 1965, the CIDE made available to the government its most important product, the National Economic and Social Development Plan (1965-1974). In early 1966, the government formally approved the plan, but never implemented it. However, both economic and social information and reform proposals generated by CIDE deeply permeated the political debate and the positions of the main social and political actors. This experience confirms the main conclusions of the research and policy “nexus” literature but, at the same time, invites us to devise and put forward new hypotheses.

A Note on the Role of Cultural, Institutional, and Urbanization Features in the COVID-19 Pandemic*

A Note on the Role of Cultural, Institutional, and Urbanization Features in the COVID-19 Pandemic*

Application of Frequency Ratio Method for Landslide Susceptibility Mapping in the Surkhob Valley, Tajikistan

In the valley of the Surkhob River, manifestations of modern geological processes, characterized by various forms of manifestation, are widely developed. Studying these processes is of utmost importance, primarily landslides, which are directly related to the loss of stability of rocks on the slopes. Landslide processes in the Surkhob River valley, regardless of their type, cause significant economic damage to the population and the economy, as well as negatively impacting human living conditions. The primary goal of this project is to map landslide susceptibility using a geographic information system and quantitative and semi-quantitative methods. Landslide susceptibility assessment of this research was conducted using slope (degree), aspect of the slope, curvature, stream power index, topographic wetness index, precipitation and altitude. Except for precipitation, which was collected from the world climate site, most of the causal elements were derived from DEM from the SRTM (Shuttle Radar Topography Mission) database, with cell sizes of 30 m. 416 landslides were discovered from satellite pictures of Google Earth Pro and then validated in the field to analyses the link between causative factors and landslide inventory. To measure the weights of each causal element, the frequency ratio (FR) and the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) were used. The quality of the landslide susceptibility map was determined using the Receiver Operating Characteristics curve (ROC), and the AUC value was determined to be 0.877. It is possible to use the landslide susceptibility map as an engineering and geological basis for establishing a national economic development plan for the territory of the Surkhob River valley.

새마을운동과 쿠바 PNDES 모델의 비교 분석 및 정책적 시사점: 새마을운동의 적용을 중심으로

(Purpose) Korea’s 1970s Saemaul Undong was a successful community development model and one of the main factors behind Korea’s economic growth in just one generation of time. The National Economic and Social Development Plan until 2030 of Cuba (PNDES) by its acronym in Spanish, is a strategy created by the government to improve the living conditions of the Cuban people. This research aims to improve PNDES model of Cuba from the lessons of Saemaul Undong in Korea’s 1970s. (Design/methodology/approach) The research is developed using qualitative methodology, it analyzed and compared Saemaul Undong and PNDES based on role of government, community participation and implementation method criteria. (Findings) The research’s findings claim for importance of the National leader’s philosophy in the process of tackling existing issues. PNDES should implement a proper incentive system in order to encourage and promote community participation in the national development. Finally, citizens should be empowered by the provision of a leading role in the decision making process. (Research implications or Originality) The findings imply the existing policies should be reviewed and modified according to the current situation faced by the country and lessons from Saemaul Undong properly adapted to PNDES of Cuba could be the key to succeed and achieve economic development.

Urban Sustainability Evaluation Based on the DPSIR Dynamic Model: A Case Study in Shaanxi Province, China

The sustainability of urban cities has been the focus of significant academic research in recent years and is emphasized in Goal 11 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In this study, we adopted the Drive-Pressure-State-Impact-Response model (DPSIR) to promote a conceptual study of sustainable development index (SDI) to compare the different urban sustainable development status and try to find the factors that affect the urban sustainable development. The framework of indicators we used is mainly based on Goal 11 of the SDGs’ targets and indicators. We chose six cities in the Shaanxi Province of China and studied them from 2008 to 2018. The results show that: (1) the sustainable development of urban cities is greatly influenced by China’s national economic development plans and urban development strategies; (2) the economic growth and management level of authorities can significantly promote urban sustainability; (3) the urban sustainability of the six cities in Shaanxi Province showed a significant imbalance and this imbalance affected the overall development of the region; (4) compared with Guanzhong urban agglomeration, Shannan urban agglomeration is subject to the policy needs of environmental protection in the Qinling mountain area and its economic development is restricted; therefore, its urban sustainability is relatively low. Theoretical contributions are presented to assist in addressing these challenges and to support policies and initiatives that move these cities in China towards achieving SDG 11.

LIFELONG LEARNING AND E-LEARING AWARENESS: THE CASE STUDY OF INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE STUDENTS AT SUAN SUNANDHA RAJABHAT UNIVERSITY

Lifelong learning is one of the most important skills in the 21st century. The main purpose of lifelong learning is active citizenship which is important in terms of connecting individuals to the structures of social and economic activity in both local and global contexts. Lifelong learning is high on the agenda in the education sector around the world. It has been an important part of many education policies and part of Thailand’s National Education Act since 2012. Skills’ development for lifelong learning has been emphasized within the 11th National Economic and Social Development Plan (B.E 2555-2559). Online learning included MOOC (Massive Open Online Courses) such as edX, Coursera and other online course platforms such as Khan Academy, Udemy, etc. These all are efficient, time-effective and cost-effective tools supporting lifelong learning. Many research studies have already provided recommendations on how to accelerate the implementation of lifelong learning supported by online learning.
 The purpose of this study is to investigate higher education student awareness about lifelong learning and online learning. Universities need to take responsibility for preparing students for lifelong learning. Thus, the participants in this study were the students at International College, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University (Bangkok, Thailand); they were selected through random sampling. This study has applied quantitative research methods, namely, an online survey to collect data. The results of this study can be used to improve lifelong learning skills among university students in other countries as well.

Clustering of education as means of improving the effectiveness of working with gifted students

University-School clusters: Best practices and the prospects for their adaptation to Ukrainian context : the XVIII International Scientific and Practical Conference (14-th Febuary 2020, Kharkiv Univ. of Humanities “People’s Ukrainian Acad”. Clustering of education is one of the answers to the challenges of today. The concept of "clustering" was first introduced in the 1950s mainly in the industrial sector, and in the late twentieth century it became widespread in the social sphere. Clusters are now becoming a key component of national and regional economic development plans. Kharkiv region is the center of implementation of educational clusters in the active role of higher education institutions, which constantly seek to improve the quality of training of competitive specialists. Work experience in the educational cluster has been accumulated at the Kharkiv Physics and Mathematics Lyceum # 27, the main purpose of which is the education and development of gifted and capable pupils. The institution has a system of work with pupils, which involves teachers of higher educational institutions, students. The extra classes’ activities for students are held at the Center for Pre-University Education of Kharkiv National University. In our view, the significant potential in overcoming and minimizing the negative factors that influence the self-realization of gifted students and do not facilitate their "participation" in the development of human capital is in the creation of educational clusters. They envisage the cooperation of various persons who interact with gifted students.