Regional Development Objectives Research Articles

Research on the coordinated development and convergence characteristics of China’s urban competitiveness and green total factor productivity

The coordinated development of urban competitiveness (UC) and green total factor productivity (GTFP) is paramount for achieving global sustainable development objectives, especially for regional sustainability in China. This study utilizes panel data from 2011 to 2019 encompassing 273 Chinese cities to evaluate the urban competitiveness index employing the projection pursuit method. The research categorizes Chinese cities into four regions—East, Central, West, and Northeast—for comparative analysis purposes. The findings unveil: (1) a discernible rise in both overall and regional coordination between urban competitiveness and green total factor productivity in China; (2) throughout the study period, except for fluctuations observed in Northeastern China, coordination in other regions sustained relative stability, manifesting a trend of divergence-convergence; (3) the coordination between urban competitiveness and green total factor productivity across all regions demonstrated β-convergence, with Central China exhibiting the swiftest convergence and Northeastern China the slowest; (4) taking into account factors such as government intervention, industrial structure, and human capital, there is a likelihood that the growth rate of coordination between urban competitiveness and green total factor productivity in diverse regions will converge towards a synergistic trend. Therefore, as Chinese cities strive to enhance competitiveness and green total factor productivity, governmental attention should be directed towards discerning the developmental trends and influencing factors affecting their coordination. Such an approach will facilitate the realization of regional sustainable development objectives while propelling the synchronized advancement of urban competitiveness and green total factor productivity.

Investigating Risks to the Implementation of the Great Equatorial Landbridge (GELB) Highway Project across Africa

Transboundary Trade Corridors (TTC) are becoming increasingly important for achieving national, regional, and global development objectives. However, the cross-boundary nature of these projects involves dealing with diverse contexts that span across different countries and involve multiple stakeholders with varying interests. These circumstances exacerbate the risks and uncertainties that arise during their implementation, intensifying the challenges involved in making decisions about how to proceed with their execution. Insufficient evaluations of development projects have been identified as a contributing factor to unforeseen risks, which in turn can result in the underperformance and failure of transportation infrastructure projects. This ultimately acts as an impediment to achieving sustainable development goals. Further, rapid deployment of post risk-event corrective measures can exacerbate, for instance, macro-economic crisis and civil unrest. The Great Equatorial Land Bridge is a TTC planned to traverse five countries: Cameroon, Central African Republic, South-Sudan, Ethiopia, and Kenya. Despite the anticipated advantages for globalization, political cooperation, and regional integration, the risks that must be addressed to successfully implement this project are still uncertain. We, therefore, use a Multicriteria Decision-Making (MCDM) framework to investigate risks to its successful implementation. The analysis results highlight that effectively managing economic, political, and geographic risks is crucial for the successful implementation of the project. Policy-makers, contractors and multiple stakeholders will benefit from this study’s depiction of the risks and their relative importance. Results can also inform actions toward sustainable development of the project.

University venture capital in big data, regional and historical perspective: where and why has it arisen?

ABSTRACT This article contributes to the international comparative analysis of university venture capital (UVC), providing a quasi-experimental design for follow-up research and practice. The US venture capital industry, with its unicorn focused high-growth format opened up a venture capital gap. UVC transmutes academic innovation into high-tech firms, industries and regional renewal, filling interstitial funding gaps among angel, public and private venture capital offers. It is a knowledge-based industrial policy by Another Name, with direct/explicit and indirect/implicit versions, on a continuum with variation depending upon shifting ideological and competitive concerns. Beyond as of right “womb” provision, UVC capstones an academic innovation ecosystem of technology transfer, incubation and acceleration, translational research, proof of concept funds and entrepreneurship education. Venture capital, exemplified by Sand Hill Road, de-emphasizes classic regional development objectives, neglecting appropriability conditions such as academic and regional circumstances that UK and China prioritize. More modest firm formation outcomes are dismissed as failures, with entrepreneurs encouraged to return to the entrepreneurial churn. We examine the origin and development of UVC from macro, meso and micro, historical and comparative perspectives. Multi-method/multi-sample, comparative case study, and big data analytics show the constraint, variety, and early affinity of UVC to academic icons with significant untapped potential to inspire widespread economic and social advance.

Understanding Public Policy in Regional Financial Management: A Narrative Approach to Analyzing Policy Implementation and Its Impact on Local Development

The discussion examined the relationship between local financial management, public policy, policy implementation, and their impact on local development. The focus of this discussion is on four main themes, namely financial inclusion, monetary policy, local financial strategies, and the role of the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) sector. Through policy implementation analysis and a narrative approach, managerial and theoretical implications of each theme have been identified. The managerial implications highlight the importance of integrating public policies, considering monetary policy, developing human resources and infrastructure, adopting national industrial policies, and supporting the development of the SME sector in regional financial management strategies. Meanwhile, the theoretical implications emphasize the importance of understanding public policy, policy implementation, the role of the SME sector, and external factors in achieving the objectives of regional financial management and local development. This discussion provides important insights for practitioners and researchers in designing better public policies and optimizing regional financial management.

Canada's Ocean Supercluster initiative: A national policy in regional clothing?

AbstractSince the late 1980s, there has been no explicit regional policy in Canada. Indirectly, though, equalization payments, industrial policies, as well as regional agencies encouraging the adoption of federal industrial and innovation policies, impact regional economies. In 2017, the federal government appeared to alter its approach: the Supercluster initiative was announced, drawing upon the idea that localized networks of interrelated firms can generate innovation and local development. In this paper, we discuss the mechanisms through which spatially focused industrial innovation policy can lead to regional development. We then focus on Canada's Ocean Supercluster initiative. The question we address is as follows: to what extent can this initiative (and, more widely, Canada's Supercluster policy) be understood as a regional development strategy driven by a coherent rationale for regional intervention? Apart from the fact that each Supercluster focuses on a pre‐existing core of firms located within a region, there is little evidence that the Supercluster initiative has regional development objectives or impacts.

The Effect Of Capital Expenditure And Local Revenue On Economic Growth In Cities And Regencies In Bengkulu

The main objective of regional development is to create economic growth and equitable development, including inter-regional distribution of income (PAD). Fast economic growth and low income inequality can be achieved, but both cannot be achieved simultaneously. This study aims to determine the effect of Capital Expenditure and Local Revenue on economic growth in cities and regencies in Bengkulu. The samples in this study were 10 local governments at the district/city level in cities and regencies in Bengkulu with a study period from 2015 to 2020. The data collection method used the documentation method. The data analysis used was multiple linear regression, coefficient of determination and hypothesis testing. The results of the regression test obtained the regression equation Y = 254.213 + 0.097X1 + 0.025X2. Capital expenditure (PAD) has a significant influence on economic growth in cities and regencies in Bengkulu because a significant value of 0.006 is smaller than 0.05. This means that as PAD increases, economic growth will also increase. Local Revenue does not have a significant effect on economic growth in cities and regencies in Bengkulu because the significant value is 0.531, which is less than 0.05. This means that the high or low PAD generated by a region does not really affect economic growth because there is still funding from the center. Based on the results of testing the hypothesis with the F test, the hypothesis made shows that together capital expenditure and regional original income affect economic growth in cities and regencies in Bengkulu. The results of statistical calculations show a significance value of 0.05. The coefficient of determination is 0.162, which means that changes in the independent variables together are able to explain the dependent variable by 16.2%, while the remaining 1% is explained by other factors outside the independent variables used in this research

STRATEGI PEMBANGUNAN ILMU PENGETAHUAN, TEKNOLOGI DAN INOVASI DAERAH DI SULAWESI TENGGARA

The purpose of this study is to describe the general conditions of regional science, technology and innovation (Iptekin) development, analyze opportunities and threats in the external environment as well as strengths and weaknesses in the internal environment, and formulate a strategic goals and objectives for the development of effective regional Iptekin in Southeast Sulawesi. This research uses a qualitative approach with an interpretive perspective. Data collection techniques used include interviews, document studies, benchmarking, and focus group discussions. Qualitative data analysis of the interactive model found that regional Iptekin development in Southeast Sulawesi is characterized by weak institutional and social and organizational fragmentation, and lack of resources. The overall factors of the political, economic, social, technological and legal environment contain opportunities and threats to the development of regional Iptekin but the dominant one is from the political environment. The factor of creating public value and assets/inventory are both internal strengths and weaknesses for the development of regional Iptekin. The strategic objective of regional Iptekin development based on environmental assessment is to increase the capacity of science and technology and the effectiveness of the implementation and utilization of regional science and technology.

Методичний підхід до визначення системи цілей та оцінки рівня сталого розвитку регіонів

The relevance of the article lies in the need to conduct research on improving the scientific and methodological support for sustainable development, since sustainable development is considered the most promising ideology of the XXI century and an objective necessity for further development of society. The article is aimed at developing scientific and methodological recommendations for defining the system of objectives of the strategy of sustainable development of regions and assessing its level by using graph theory and utility theory. To achieve this aim, the following tasks are solved: an analysis of the theoretical foundations of sustainable development is carried out; the global (main) objective and sub-objectives of sustainable development of regions are defined; factors of influence and criteria – indicators of sustainable development of regions are determined; a tree of objectives (graph) of sustainable development of regions is built; a multi-criteria model of integral estimation of regional development on the basis of program-target approach, graph theory and utility theory is developed. According to the concept of Management by Objectives, as well as the objectives of sustainable development of society for the period up to 2030 and analysis of publications, the objectives of sustainable development of regions are defined. The global (main) objective of regional development is formulated as «Achieving a sustainable development of region». The assessment of the level of development of regions should be carried out in three areas, namely: economic, social and ecological. Then the sub-objectives of the global objective are: «achieving a sustainable development of the region’s economy»; «achieving a sustainable development of the social sphere of the region»; «improving the level of ecological safety of the region». The tree of sustainable development objectives of regions represents a graph, the vertices (nodes) of which are objectives, and the edges (arcs) are the connections between them. A system of criteria-indicators characterizing achievement of set objectives has been formulated. As a criterion for achieving the objective, it is proposed to use the multi-criteria utility function. The carried out analysis shows that for the integral assessment of sustainable development of regions, it is advisable to use the additive utility function, which gives a quantitative assessment of the level of development of regions. Some further research require the methods of identifying the influence of factors on achieving objectives, identifying alternatives to sustainable development of regions, the problem of improving the management of sustainable development. Additional scientific and practical interest is caused by an in-depth study of objectives, their advantages and replacement.

Структурно-динамическая модель транспортных эффектов экономического роста (на примере Ростовской области)

The removal of infrastructural restrictions on economic growth for regions and economic sectors is a priority for Russia. The relevance of the problem of transport effects assessment at the regional level is increasing due to the high depreciation of the existing infrastructure as well as the necessity of creating new facilities that can become a determining factor for economic dynamics acceleration. The paper is devoted to methodology development for the impact assessment of transport infrastructure on the economic development of territories, model tools development for effects’ assessment and their testing experimentally in the case of Rostov region, whose economic growth rate showed an obvious slowdown in recent years. The Rostov region’s model made it possible to obtain a series of probabilistic assessments of scenarios for social and economic development, the outcome of which depends on the implementation of investment activity scenarios and forecasts, dynamics of passenger and cargo flows, and provision of the territory with road and rail infrastructure. Estimations showed that an increase in the index of investments in fixed assets and the share of investments in the “transport” sector in the total volume of investments in fixed assets, accompanied by road quality improvement, stimulates growth of gross regional product and turnover of road transport. At the same time the freight turnover of rail transport has a positive relationship only with the investment index. The significant contribution to the economic growth of Rostov region in 2000–2020 years was connected with the long-term investment multiplier that formed the structure of traffic flows in the value chain. Quantitative estimates of the effects of investments intransport infrastructure can be taken into account in development programs of Rostov region to justify strategic goals and specific objectives of regional development.

Ненаблюдаемая экономика как барьер социально-экономического развития региона

The paper considers the structure of non-observed economy in the context of the system of national accounts. The conclusion about the identity of the concepts of non-observed and shadow economy is made and the leading role of crime in the formation of the shadow sector is determined. On the example of St. Petersburg the relationship between the growth of criminalization and the decline in living standards of the population is investigated. Particular attention is paid to economic incentives that determine the behavior of a “rational” individual in the choice of employment and can create obstacles to the achievement of strategic objectives of regional development.

Coastal fishery stakeholders’ perceptions, motivation, and trust regarding maritime spatial planning and regional development: The case in the Bothnian Sea of the northern Baltic Sea

The European Union (EU) promotes a sustainable blue economy in the coastal and marine regions. In Finland, the regional development objectives are defined at the national and regional levels. Maritime spatial planning (MSP) is a tool to reconcile the sea’s different uses. This study considers developing collaborative practices in regional planning to help meet regional development objectives. The MSP participants representing the coastal fishery (fishing and fish farming) in the Satakunta region, Finland, exemplify a local stakeholder group. Coastal fishery is a demanding and highly regulated livelihood, with the potential to grow as local food is trending. A mixed-method approach was used to examine MSP participants’ and fishery experts’ perceptions about regional cooperation and the MSP process. The semi-structured interviews focused on three main themes: regional cooperation and synergies, conflicts and threats, and interest in regional collaboration or establishing secondary businesses. Questionnaires 2019 and 2021 examined stakeholders’ engagement (intrinsic motivation) and social trust towards the planners in the MSP process. The need to tackle the challenges of coastal fishery dictates coastal fishery participants’ perceptions regarding the fishery business’s development in a regional context. Despite the collaborative approach, the first Finnish MSP round did not make a significant difference in the coastal fishery’s status as a stakeholder group. MSP processes and developing the sustainable blue economy are part of the regional development framework, requiring a level playing field and mutual trust among stakeholders. The regional development of marine and coastal areas would benefit from a joint forum for stakeholder interaction built upon MSP. Collaboration could strengthen the integrative and comprehensive management of sea uses and resources.

Transposed Second-Generation Environmental Kuznets Curve, Changing Climate Patterns, and Selected Development Indicators

This paper examined the impact of changing climate patterns (represented by square and cubic CO2 emissions) on selected development drivers (proxy by gross domestic product [GDP] per capita [GDPC] and official development assistance [ODA]). Environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) provided the theoretical backdrop of this study, referred to as the core second-generation EKC (SGEKC) hypothesis. SGEKC was modified to obtain the transposed SGEKC. The transposed SGEKC was conceptualized based on the one-way criticism of the EKC. An unbalanced PMG (ARDL) method was utilized to investigate the impact of the changing climate patterns on GDPPC–(to capture EKC hypothesis) and ODA–(to capture pollution haven hypothesis) in the West African Monetary Zone (WAMZ). This study, therefore, leveraged data from world development indicators between 1970 and 2019. The result showed that the one-way impact of CO2 emissions on GDPC has a long-run N-shaped. The outcome of the GDPC model (in the transposed SGEKC hypothesis) is consistent with the core SGEKC hypothesis. On the other hand, the impact of CO2 emissions on the ODA showed an inverted N-shaped in the long run. The inverted N-shaped relationship does not support pollution-haven hypothesis in the long-run. The results, therefore, imply that the changing climate patterns have a more disruptive impact on income per capita and less on ODA. In the short-run, the result showed the existence of an inverted-N and N-shapes for GDPC (SGEKC does not hold) and ODA (presence of pollution haven) respectively. In conclusion, changing climate patterns present a long-run threat to the economy of WAMZ which in turn could disrupt economic agents’ interactions, de-optimize economic aggregates and economic equilibrium, as well as negatively affect the attainment of a long-run regional development objectives. This study recommends that WAMZ’s government(s) should fast-track the implementation of robust carbon pricing mechanism and abatement policy that would enable climate mitigation policy, improve the regions nationally determined contributions (NDCs) targets, and insulate the economies from policy uncertainty associated with climate change.

Evidence to Inform Resilience Policy in the SADC: Current Limitations and Future Research Areas

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) and its member countries are potentially vulnerable to external disturbances, including environmental, economic, and social shocks. Regional policy emphasizes interventions to ensure long-term growth and development in the face of potential disturbance. Current emphasis is placed on mitigating the impact of climate change, including the creation of the SADC Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan. However, the need for long-term adaptation and associated policy is evident to reduce regional vulnerabilities. Research is an important source of evidence to support policymaking, with specific importance to institutions in developing regions such as the SADC and during times of global change and disruption. SADC development policy related to resilience outcomes ought to be informed by research. This paper investigates the extent to which existing research supports regional resilience policymaking. Objectives include investigating available research on resilience in the SADC, identifying potential limitations, and delineating areas of future research to be considered by researchers that contribute to knowledge and evidence creation. A bibliometric review and selective content review of existing research were utilized. Relevant publications for the aforesaid analysis were delineated using the source concepts “resilience”, “adaptation”, “adaptability”, and “Southern African Development Community” (or “SADC”). Using the SCOPUS database, bibliometric data of 65 publications were imported into the VOSviewer application (v.1.6.17). Keyword occurrences and network and overlay visualizations were applied to identify the research themes underlying current research. The findings, which were supported by the selective content review, indicate that existing research focuses primarily on environmental and social disturbances, while the applicable regional planning scale and development policy are considered to a limited extent. Areas of future research ought to create evidence that is thematically relevant to policy areas and applicable to policy interventions, which necessitates increased research on economic disturbances, a broadening of existing themes to the appropriate regional planning scale, and consideration of explicit regional development objectives and policy. Transdisciplinarity ought to be central to future research on the diverse disturbances facing the region, while researchers ought to leverage knowledge-creation opportunities catalyzed by SDG implementation.

Fiscal Decentralization, Good Governance and Regional Development—Empirical Evidence in the European Context

The nexus between local governments’ budgets and regional growth is a complex one, with organic interconnections, ideally offering better outcomes, both in the matter of (local) fiscal consolidation and the welfare of societies. In this study, we analyze the impact of local fiscal consolidation efforts (as reflected by the budget indicators regarding local revenues and expenditures for the countries involved) on regional development, using a sample of 21 EU Member States and a timescale between 2001 and 2019, based on specific data reported by Eurostat and the World Bank. By employing the Generalized Linear Model (GLM), the results show that some of the considered indicators have a statistically significant positive influence on the GDP per capita at the regional level, thus highlighting the important role of sound local public finances in achieving the objectives of regional development. Based on our findings, we recommended some improvements regarding the practice of local fiscal policy in order to enhance the role of fiscal consolidation in sustaining regional development within the subject countries.

Developing resilient supply chains in the Southern African Development Community: Lessons from the impact of COVID-19

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a significant impact on international trade and supply chains. Border closures and reduced demand for traded goods provoked demand and supply shocks in supply chains, including those of the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Continued vulnerability of regional supply chains affects the long-term socio-economic development trajectory of the SADC.Objectives: This article investigates whether supply chains and their various components have exacerbated the pandemic’s trade impact, with specific reference to the SADC. The objective is to inform regional development policy interventions to improve the resilience of the SADC supply chains in future disturbances.Method: An econometric analysis was conducted to determine the relationship between supply chain efficiency (and the various sub-indicators) and the impact of the pandemic on merchandise trade volumes. The latter constitutes the dependent variable of the analysis and is quantified by measuring the deviation from the pre-shock growth path in the base year (2020) of the pandemic. Data sets from the UNCTADstat database were used. The independent variables are the sub-indicators that form part of the Logistics Performance Index (LPI), the data of which are sourced from the World Bank (2022). In addition to the chi-square test of homogeneity and the Shapiro–Wilk test of normality, regression analyses were conducted to determine the significance of the independent variables, in addition to their association and correlation with the dependent variable.Results: The analysis indicates that supply chain efficiency and components related thereto, including customs clearance, infrastructure, international shipments, logistics competence, tracking and tracing and lead time, are of high significance to and correlate with the impact of the pandemic.Conclusion: Regional development policy in the SADC should prioritise the targeted improvement of specific physical and non-physical infrastructure to support the development of efficient and resilient supply chains. Interventions should focus on improving border and customs processes and tracking and tracing capabilities of logistics service providers. This will contribute to the achievement of regional development objectives and catalyse the competitiveness of the SADC in the face of increased supply chain regionalisation.

Malaysian Apprenticeship Implementation: Issues and Challenges Towards Effective Employers Engagement

While the jobs recovery is underway in many countries, persistently high rates of youth unemployment remain a significant labour market challenge. In response, there has been increasing interest in apprenticeships both as a route into employment and also in raising the skill levels of the workforce. Apprenticeship is one of the methods to promote young people's employment. It is historically prevalent and successful in Europe and is emulated in other countries around the world to promote employment especially amongst youth. Apprenticeships and other work-based training opportunities are valuable training pathways for improving the transition from school-to-work. At the local level, apprenticeship programmes can contribute to regional development objectives and provide local employers with the skilled workforce they require to remain competitive and create jobs. Therefore, this study was carried out to investigate the currents issues and challenges faced by Malaysian industrial employers in employer engagement of apprenticeship programmes through action research and descriptive studies. This action-based research as a methodology is to gather the responses of Malaysian local companies’ experiences in the manufacturing sector, across Multinational Companies (MNC), Government-Linked Corporations (GLC) and Small and Medium-scale Enterprises (SME) and identify the key issues and solutions that could create a beneficial prospect for TVET graduates and participating companies. Both descriptive quantitative and qualitative data from the survey questionnaires and interviews, respectively, were employed. 71 companies involved in the online survey and 6 manufacturing companies participated in the interviews and discussions as well as brainstorming. From the perspective ofindustries, this study found that the main key issues and challenges are: scarcity of competent industries instructors and coaches; provision of CPD; availability of apprenticeship bridging programs; teaching capacity; skills to deliver high quality employer focused apprenticeship; and industries and training providers collaboration. These six main issues are fundamentally systemic and highly intertwined in nature and will have to be resolved by all the stakeholders based on an agreeable working framework of apprenticeship in Malaysia. The findings of this study could provide policy makers and social partners with specific learnings to remove barriers to engaging employers in apprenticeship programmes, broaden access to training opportunities and improve the economic development and labour market performance of local areas.

Dasar Hukum Bea Perolehan Hak Atas Tanah Dan Bangunan (BPHTB) Di Badan Pengelolaan Keuangan Dan Pendapatan Daerah (BPKPD) Kabupaten Buleleng

This study aims to analyze the legal basis for the acquisition of land and building rights fees in Buleleng Regency. This research is a type of legal research with empirical juridical studies because this research deals with data. This research took place in Singaraja City, especially in the Regional Government Financial Management Agency (BPKPD) Buleleng Regency. Data were collected using observation and interview methods. The data analysis was conducted in a descriptive qualitative manner. Based on the results of the analysis, the legal basis for the Acquisition Fee for Land and Building Rights is relevant to the Regulation of the Minister of Finance, the collection of Fees for Acquisition of Land and Building Rights (BPHTB) is entirely carried out by the regions, this is due to policies on objects, subjects, rates, and tax bases fully stipulated by the Regional Government and adapted to the conditions and objectives of regional development. This policy is adjusted to the Regional Regulation of Buleleng Regency Number 1 of 2011 concerning Law Number 28 of 2009 concerning Regional Taxes and Regional Retributions for the regulation of the imposition of local taxes on Fees for Acquiring Rights on Land and Buildings (BPHTB).

MANAGEMENT FEATURES OF THE STATE FUND FOR REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF UKRAINE UNDER THE CONDITIONS OF CURRENT CHALLENGES

Abstract. The article summarizes the arguments and counterarguments within the scientific discussion on the resource management of the State Fund for Regional Development of Ukraine (Fund). The main purpose of the study is to assess the effectiveness of resource management of this Fund from the standpoint of improving the effectiveness of state financial support for regional development in Ukraine. Systematization of literature sources and approaches to solving the problem of effective use of state budget funds to finance regional development goals showed that in general there is a positive assessment of the feasibility of the State Fund for Regional development in Ukraine, but there are significant shortcomings and problems in financing regional development measures. The urgency of solving this scientific problem is that being a significant budgetary resource for the implementation of goals and objectives of regional development, the Fund is not used effectively due to improper management. The study of the peculiarities of the resource management of the State Fund for Regional Development of Ukraine in modern challenges was conducted from the standpoint of assessing compliance with national legislation of budgetary discipline, economic and social feasibility and taking into account the following factors: ensuring full compliance with budget legislation of Ukraine; absence of violations of terms of distribution of means of fund; absence of violations in planning, selection and approval of investment programs and regional development projects; directing the established share of Funds resources to the economic development of the regions; timely and full development of resources at the planned facilities; an effective system of internal control over the effective use of budget funds; based on the results of the study, conclusions were prepared. The methodological tools of the study were the methods of economic and statistical analysis, grouping, comparisons, index analysis and factor analysis. The research period is 2016—2020. The article presents the results of the empirical analysis, which showed that there are systemic problems in the organization of resource management of the State Fund for Regional Development. The study empirically confirms and theoretically proves that it is necessary to update the provisions of Article 241 of the Budget Code of Ukraine to determine the resources of this Fund in the amount of at least one percent of the total fund of the State Budget of Ukraine; the distribution of the fund’s funds should take into account territorial differentiation according to the regional human development index; identification of additional criteria for selection of regional development projects that will ensure the achievement of positive economic changes in the regions; organize an effective system of internal control and internal audit. The results of the study can be useful for use in research and in the activities of state, regional and local governments in terms of taking into account the peculiarities of the management of the State Fund for Regional Development in Ukraine. Keywords: state budget, state fund for regional development, management efficiency, investment programs and projects, regional development, financial support. Formulas: 0; fig.: 1; tabl.: 2; bibl.: 22.

The Evaluation of Regional Head Election: Developing Synergy of Regional Autonomy and Regional Head Election

The reform aims to achieve democracy, prosperity, and justice at the local level. Even though the reform process has been rolling for more than two decades, the goal of reform in realizing local democracy through an ideal regional head election is still far from expectations. This study aims to analyze the causes of the absence of synergy between regional autonomy and regional elections and identify the causes. A qualitative approach is used in the literature review method. The result showed that the root of the problem is not creating a synergy between regional autonomy and regional head elections because the application of the decentralization concept in Indonesia is dominated by the administrative decentralization perspective and the lack of actualizing the political perspective decentralization. The definitions of decentralization and regional autonomy in Acts tend to preserve centralization. Besides, regional autonomy's main objective places more emphasis on the administrative objectives of government and regional development rather than the development of local democracy. The lack of synergy between regional autonomy and regional elections is the gap between expectations and reality and conflicts at the ideological and technical levels. The gap between expectations and reality can be seen from the hope of realizing the acceleration of the democratization process at the local level, but technically, regional autonomy is characterized by an oligarchy of political parties and transactional politics. There are some suggestions for the Ministry of Home Affairs to revise the policy packages for decentralization and regional autonomy, especially in articles regulating the definition and objectives of regional autonomy, as well as revising Acts of Regional Head Election and Acts of Political Parties, particularly regarding the mechanism for nominating regional heads.

A Theoretical and Empirical Review of Development Planning in Pakistan: A Journey from Traditional Planning to Strategic Planning

The basic aim and object of the study to examine the institutional structure of development planning, and polices in Pakistan in the context of its impact on inclusive growth and in addition to develop a coherent road map in the context of regional and global development objectives of the modern world. The study addressed that present development planning set up in not addressing poverty and inequality at large due to its time-barred framework. The study recommended that the structural changes are needed in the present planning mechanism from district to province and planning commission/ from top to bottom. The capacity of development planners should be enhanced to formulate sustainable development policies to create a robust development planning system in the country. The study suggests continues reforms in development spending to reduce waste of available resources and its focus should be on regional and economic disparities as a policy shift a development for all. The institutional development planning should be focused to produce the required quality skilled human development force in the context of the lowest human development index in the region. There is an urgent need to adopt alternative development policies practices and strategic planning concepts followed by developed nations in the recent past as a way forward