Soft Loans Research Articles

CHALLENGES OF PARENTS IN THE MODULAR LEARNING OF THEIR CHILDREN IN THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS IN ZAMBALES, PHILIPPINES

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit the Philippines, a lot of changes happened. It affected the economic status of our country, changed the way we live, and transformed the traditional teachinglearning process into the emergent "New Normal". The researcher used descriptive research, devoted to the gathering of information about prevailing conditions or situations for the purpose of description and interpretation. There is significant difference on their respondents’ perceptions when grouped according to civil status towards, Pedagogical, Economic and Financial, and Learning Environment Demands respectively; significant on highest educational attainment towards Time, Pedagogical, Economic and Financial, and Learning Environment Demands respectively; and significant on number of children towards Time, Economic and Financial, and Learning Environment Demands respectively. There is significant difference on the challenges the respondents experienced in Time Demand, Pedagogical Demand, Economic and Financial Demand, and Learning Environment demand respectively as experienced by parents in modular learning. There is no significant relationship between the challenges experienced by parents in modular learning and the level of academic performance of the children. The result of the study shows that the teachers experienced sometimes a challenge on time, pedagogical, economic, and financial demands. Teachers are encouraged to continue all-possible means of communication with the parents. The barangay or municipal government may provide soft loan program for the purchase of technological gadget for more advance education and learning to the families who cannot afford to buy. The local government is encouraged to provide accessible free and fast internet connection specially in remote areas. Parents are encouraged to provide a working space for their children for a more conducive learning environment.

Can Financial Development Help in Raising Sustainable Economic Growth and Reduce Environmental Pollution in Pakistan? Evidence from Non Linear ARDL Model

It is a global challenge to reduce environmental pollution and enhance sustainable economic growth. This study explores the role of financial development as an instrument in reducing environmental pollution and enhancing sustainable economic development in Pakistan for the period 1980-2020. The Non-linear Autoregressive Distributed Lag (NARDL) econometrics technique has been utilized to find the association between environmental pollution, economic growth, and financial development. The results show that positive shocks of financial development increase economic growth and reduce environmental pollution. While the negative shocks of financial development increase both economic growth and environmental pollution. Globalization has negative impact on economic growth and the use of energy increases economic growth and environmental pollution. The study suggests that the State Bank of Pakistan and other financial institutions should formulate and implement soft loan policies to induce the private investors to use low carbon emission technologies.

Exploring Aquaculture Fish Production: The Case of South Aceh District

This study empirically explores factors determining the production of fish aquaculture in the South Aceh District, Indonesia. The study selected 150 out 1,893 aquaculture fish farmers within 18 sub-districts in the regency as the study’s respondents using a multi-stage sampling technique. Primary data collected through questionnaires’ distribution were analyzed employing a multiple regression model. The research documented empirical evidence that fish pond area, number of fish farmers, and capital significantly and positively influenced the production of fish aquaculture in the South Aceh Regency. Meanwhile, the number of fish seeds had an insignificant impact on the production of fish aquaculture. These empirical results suggested that in improving aquaculture fish production, fish farmers have to possess an adequate amount of capital, pond area, and the number of workers. Soft loan assistance sourced either from the government or banking institutions, conversion of idle and abandoned lands into fish ponds, and various fisheries capacity building programs is among the strategic steps that require to be taken to extend aquaculture production.

Housing in portugal (1992-2008)A multidimensional perspective on the behaviour of economic agents / Moradia em portugal (1992-2008)Uma perspectiva multidimensional do comportamento dos agentes econômicos

Since the nation joined the European Union, the process that regulates housing policy in Portugal has been subject to specificities that are proper of the Portuguese situation. In a State which has a considerable housing deficit, it was the quantifier elements that judged the various governments regarding this matter. Almost all of the housing production depended on mortgage loans in which soft loans played an important part, together with tax benefits. The negative effects produced by lease blocking were increasingly felt throughout the analyzed period of time. The changes in context due to the decrease of tax rates and the legislative alterations on soft loans, conditioned the agents behavior and, necessarily, the rhythm of Portugal’s housing market. Using the STATIS (Structuration of Tableaux A Trois Indices de la Statistique) methodology and through the analysis of the housing policy instruments, it was possible to identify the trajectories and changes in performance of the State, Owners and Families during the period between 1992 and 2008, as well as the most significant variables for understanding the problematic of housing in Portugal.

Efectos del Covid-19 en el sector emprendedor costarricense / Effects of Covid-19 in the Costa Rican entrepreneurial sector

This study seeks to investigate the impact, responses and demands for support, in the face of the crisis caused by Covid 19, by entrepreneurs and organizations in the economic sectors, as well as the strategies considered to have the greatest impact on their business and that could consider necessary. The study took information from a survey that obtained a total of 138 responses, mainly located in the province of San José (50%), more than half (84.7%) include micro and small businesses and a (9, 3%) medium and large companies mostly located in a development stage in which the company achieves a degree of positioning in the market that guarantees its sustainability over time, the rest are located in the beginning and maturity stages mostly, they cover a wide range of sectors of activity. The largest number of participating entrepreneurs was found in the age range of 30 to 40 years (38%). Thus, it is found that the direct and indirect effects of covid 19 in the entrepreneurial sector of various sectors of the Costa Rican economy caused (55.7%) cuts in working hours as a practice in their businesses to face the crisis and a decrease in (67%) in the price of their products or services, experiencing a transformation in the management of business models that until before this date were usual. It is evident that the effects of the pandemic caused by COVID-19 had a strong impact on the Costa Rican productive sector, and the need for support from the businesspersons who have been affected is evident. Furthermore, for a country of 5.5 million inhabitants, the pandemic leaves more than 400 thousand people unemployed (16.4% + 11.1% underemployed), that is, 92 thousand more than before COVID 19. The worst hit groups are those of women and youth, leading them and the other unemployed to migrate to informality. 1,455 micro (1-5 employees), small (6-30 employees) and medium (31-100) closed. These companies have little chance of reopening, having to increase the figures of informality and in many cases, 2% of GDP in smuggling and illicit trade. The Costa Rican government must work to support new ventures that allow the insertion of new businesses in the formal sector, leading innovation, and competitive proposals to face new challenges. Access to soft loans, improvements in social security rates and differentiated fees for taxation should be part of the solutions. In addition, ensure that the minimum contributory rate of social security is modified for the payment for part-time work, so that the same companies hire personnel based on the hours worked and not for a single rate. It should be considered that Costa Rica is already part of the OCDE and that is going through a historic electoral process (26 presidential candidates), to put this problem in the sights of the candidates. The joint work between private sector, government, financial and educational institutions is a must. Costa Rica is walking at the edge of falling into an economic default and helping these initiatives could be a magic recipe for the economy.

DEVELOPMENT OF PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT OF MSMEs IN LOYOK VILLAGE SIKUR DISTRICT EAST LOMBOK REGENCY BASED ON SWOT ANALYSIS

This study aims to development a SWOT analysis and strategies for improving the performance of MSMEs based on a SWOT analysis. This type of research is descriptive which describes the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats faced by MSMEs in Loyok Village, Sikur District, East Lombok Regency. The type of data used is primary data and secondary data collected by means of documentation, interviews, and in-depth interviews. The research population is all MSMEs actors who are craftsmen, ranging from making baskets, jars, bamboo fans, hats, to skewers and bags whose prices vary. The sample is determined by proportional random sampling. Data were analyzed qualitatively and SWOT analysis. The results show that the strengths of MSMEs are: the availability of raw materials and labor at relatively cheap prices, the quality of the product is very good, the weaknesses of MSMEs are: the number of qualified workers is still low, product designs are less innovative and market information limited opportunities, the opportunities they have are: obtaining capital assistance in the form of soft loans from Village-Owned Enterprises, attention from the government, especially training and assistance and the threats faced by MSMEs are: intense competition and low economic conditions. Four strategies are used to improve the performance of MSMEs based on the results of the SWOT analysis, namely: first, the SO strategy by maintaining product quality by utilizing the assistance of Village-Owned Enterprises and government training, both the WO strategy in compiling online marketing programs and increasing product design innovation and creativity, three strategies ST optimizes the availability of raw materials and relatively cheap labor to win the competition and the four WT strategies increase product design creativity and seek new market share.

Peculiarities of financial state support of small and medium enterprises in ukraine in modern conditions

Problem setting. The formation of state policy to support small and medium enterprises (hereinafter - SMEs) requires consideration of global developments in the direction of legal regulation and economic and managerial justification of certain forms of support. In addition, within the globalized market, as well as taking into account Ukraine's desire to approximate national legislation to EU law, it is not possible to create mechanisms to support SMEs without adapting to global standards, that is, mechanisms similar to conventional ones should be invented. Of course, international documents, including the European Charter for Small Enterprises, can be a guide. Analysis of resent researches and publications. Legal analysis of certain means of state support for small and medium enterprises was carried out by such scientists as N. M. Vnukova, S. V. Hlibko, A. M. Lyubchych, I. V. Podrez-Riapolova, A.T. Zavadska and others. At the same time, this paper will analyze the implementation of financial support for small and medium enterprises, taking into account current government programs. The target of research is to conduct a comprehensive analysis of financial support for small and medium enterprises provided by the state, represented by public authorities and local governments, taking into account the principles of European Union law and current national and international programs to support entrepreneurship in Ukraine. Article’s main body. One of the most popular and effective forms of support is state financial support for SMEs. It is noted that the support from the financial and credit system reflects, in fact, the financial and economic relations between the state and market actors on the redistribution of funds. The state program «5-7-9» offers partial compensation of the interest rate on the hryvnia loan in combination with the mechanism of partial credit guarantees to address the problem of lack of collateral and insufficient credit history. The program is implemented by the Ministry of Finance of Ukraine, the Foundation for Entrepreneurship Development (formerly the German-Ukrainian Foundation) through a network of partner banks in partnership with the Ministry of Economy and the Office for Small and Medium Enterprises to prevent, spread and eliminate COVID-19 disease caused by the crown virus SARS-CoV-2, and to prevent and overcome their effects. By analyzing the statistical information of the ten largest banks, it was found that there is no unity in the terms of lending, lending is not within a single program, but for individual loan products of banks, which may differ from each other. Conclusions and prospects of the development. Summarizing the above, it is possible to conclude that the current state policy to support SMEs is characterized by the presence of a significant network of funds. One of the most relevant of these is the provision of soft loans. At the same time, there is insufficient information support for the process of direct provision of this support. In view of this, it should be noted that in order to ensure the economic security of the state, these forms should be used through a system of state bodies and organizations, local governments and organizations that must exist in reality, and electronic (virtual) portals for services should operate in additions to the real ones.

Profitability Analysis of Small and Medium Scale Salt Enterprises, Misamis Oriental, Philippines

Abstract The study analyzed the profitability of small and medium scale salt enterprises in Alubijid and El Salvador City, Misamis Oriental, Philippines. It determined salt production practices; assessed the profitability of salt production; and identified the problems encountered in salt production. Forty-two salt producers in the area were personally interviewed using a pre-tested interview schedule. Descriptive and cost and returns analysis, rate of return on investment (ROI), and ANOVA were employed. Results revealed that the production practices of the salt producers are dictated by the flooring materials of salt beds and the type and volume of salt produced were highly dependent on the flooring materials and on weather. It was concluded that salt production is a profitable enterprise and the salt beds with transparent polyethylene plastic as flooring material were the most profitable, despite having the most labor-intensive production process. Recommendations include usage of transparent polyethylene plastic as flooring material and teaching appropriate technology for seawater filtration to address the problem on degraded quality of seawater with the local government unit (LGU) taking the lead. Also, a soft loan program be put up for buying flooring materials so that more members of the lakeshore community can engage in the salt making.

Serendipity or a Missed Chance? On the Interaction Between Vaccine Distribution and the EU Recovery Funds

Abstract In this article, we discuss the interaction between the Covid-19 vaccine rollout in EU member states and the effective use of grants and soft loans from the EU pandemic recovery fund. With some of the national spending plans for the Recovery Fund still awaiting initial submission (Bulgaria), others pending the Commission’s endorsement (Poland, Hungary) or formal Council’s approval (Romania, Estonia), and various other national plans in their implementation stage, the next challenge for policymakers will be to ensure that the initial and subsequent tranches of EU funds are released as economies reopen. We claim that special attention ought to be paid to Central and Eastern Europe, where some countries are lagging in their vaccine rollout and/or the preparation for their use of the EU recovery funds. This is likely to be an important test for EU institutions in determining the stability and coherence of the European project as a whole.

Agricultural value chain financing: a case study in Ciamis District, West Java Province

Smallholding farmers frequently deal with shortage of working capital to cover farm costs. Given the applied terms and conditions, a lot of farmers unable to access the current People’s Business Credit (KUR), while a holistic value chain financial support is required to achieve sustainable food production. Limited capacity of formal rural-based financial institutions encourages the local money lenders to take opportunity of financially support the farmers. In response to this issue, a case study was conducted in Ciamis District, West Java Province. Primary data was collected using an interview technique. Data were organized, processed, an interpreted using a descriptive type of analysis. The study revealed that the rice farmers need an inclusive credit support from pre-planting to post-harvest and marketing of their products. Farmers require working capital to continue their farm activities and to support value chain financing of the agribusiness. Although the existing local micro financial institutions showed good performance, however they lacked fund and access to formal financial institutions such as banks or CSR soft loans. Government is suggested to strengthen the existing local micro financial institutions by linking them to sources of funds and to support business to business relations for better service to smallholding farmers. Inclusive value chain financing implies that farmers, micro financial institutions, and local governments are strongly integrated to achieve better farm performance. Ministry of Agriculture has a strategic role to take initiative to strengthening an inclusive agricultural value chain financing on the existing local micro financial institutions.

Assessing Motivational and Retention Strategies Employed to Retain Academic Staff: Evidence from Selected Universities

Academic staff is a key resource in higher education institutions (HEIs) and therefore has a major role in the achievement of the objectives of these institutions. Satisfied and well-motivated academic staff can build a national and international reputation for themselves and their institutions. Retention strategies strengthen the capacities of organizations to attract and retain their workforce. Three universities were purposely selected, namely University of Iringa (UoI), Ruaha Catholic University (RUCU) and Mkwawa University College of Education (MUCE), within Iringa municipality. Primary and secondary data were used for the study. The study findings revealed that there are strategies employed by all three universities such as provision of competitive remuneration, scholarship provision, research and consultancy opportunity, workload allowances, recruitment of retainable academic staff, scholarship provision, bounding of five years after training, gratuity payment, scholarship, extra duty/ overtime allowances, quarterly meeting with academic staff, bank loan guarantee, marking and invigilation allowances and soft loans (land). MUCE had additional strategies like land loan and quarterly meeting as feedback mechanism, while RUCU provided gratuity, UoI provided competitive remuneration and seminars/ trainings. However, there are no clear and defined academic staff motivation and retention strategies in the universities under the study.

Manajemen program Kredit Usaha Rakyat Super Mikro masa pandemi Covid-19

This study aims to describe the planning, organization, implementation, and supervision of the Super Micro People's Business Credit (KUR) program during the covid-19 pandemic in BRI Unit Made, Sragen. The research method used in this research is qualitative. The research subjects were 20 people, consisting of customers, BRI managers, BRI unit heads, and BRI officers. Data collection techniques are through interviews, observations, and documents. The data validity technique used is source and technique triangulation. The results of this study reveal that in the planning stage of the Super Micro KUR program, it aims to help accelerate economic recovery during the COVID-19 pandemic by providing soft loans for entrepreneurship community capital. The strategy used is through massive socialization both online and offline. At the organizing stage in the form of division of tasks in accordance with their respective job descriptions and ensuring officers carry out their main duties and functions. The implementation phase begins with intensive socialization and marketing so that the public knows the benefits of this program. The supervision phase is carried out through daily monitoring by the unit head and BRI micro marketing manager so that credit distribution can be maximized and on target.

Vulnerability and Responses of Smallholder Farmers to Climate Change Effects in Semiarid Areas of Bahi and Kongwa Districts, Tanzania

This study examined the vulnerability and responses of smallholder farmers to climate change effects in Semiarid Areas of Bahi and Kongwa Districts. A total of 366 household heads were involved in this study. The study employed questionnaire, interviews and documentary review as data collection techniques. Archival data for temperature, rainfall and crop yields were collected for trend analysis. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse quantitative data, content analysis was employed to analyse qualitative data. Simple linear trend analysis and Mann Kendall were used to establish trends. The findings indicate that smallholder farmers in the study area have noted reduced rainfall, increased temperature and reduced production as indicators of climate change. Results from archival data indicate insignificant decline of rainfall, significant increase of temperature and insignificant decline of crop yields at 5% significance level. As a response to these changes, smallholder farmers reported to use improved crop varieties, change planting dates, use intercropping, out-migrating and change land use practices. Several challenges were reported to hinder effective adaptation including inadequate capital, limited soft loans, limited weather information and deficient extension services. It is concluded that the climate is changing in the study area calling for strengthening farmers’ adaptive capacity.
 Keywords: Adaptive strategies, climate change effects, challenges, semiarid area, Tanzania.

Micro Fast Food Outfits Operations and Economic Empowerment of the People (Through Income Generation) in Calabar Urban, Cross River State, Nigeria

This study examined Micro fast food outfits operations and economic empowerment of the people through income generation in Calabar urban, Cross River State, Nigeria. The specific objectives were identified and related literature were reviewed. Data for this research were derived from a 20 items questionnaire. Survey research design was adopted for the study with 600 respondents randomly selected from Calabar urban. Data generated were presented using simple percentage analysis. The findings of the study revealed that; micro - fast food outfits operations can serve as a source of income generation to people in Calabar urban, Cross River State; micro - fast food outfits operations can serve as a source of business empowerment for the people in Calabar urban, and that, micro - fast food outfits operations relate with economic wellbeing of the people in Calabar urban, Cross River State. The study recommended that Government should create a favourable business atmosphere for fast food outfits and Micro fast food outfits operators should be motivated so that they will understand their role in economic empowerment in the State and Soft loan should be provided to micro fast food operators to enhance their operations and invest on a large scale fast food outfits operations. Keywords: Micro, outfits, operations, economic empowerment, urban dwellers, income generation. DOI: 10.7176/JAAS/76-01 Publication date: October 31 st 2021

Using Homer Software for Cost Analysis of Stand-Alone Power Generation for Small Scale Industry in Nigeria: A Case Study Lumatec Aluminium Products

Nigeria is one of developing countries in the world that experience shortage of electricity for her economic and social development. In Nigeria, most of the small-scale industries use diesel/petrol-based systems to generate their electricity. However, due to the cost fluctuation of oil and gas fuel, an alternative power generation should be considered. This paper targets to examine the cost analysis of system for supplying electricity to LUMATEC Aluminium products shop in Mubi, Adamawa state Nigeria. Hybrid Optimization Model for Electric Renewable (HOMER) is used as a tool for cost analysis. The scenario consider in this study was only stand-alone with battery system. Results revealed that the system have 10kW PV with cost of electricity (COE) of $0.312/kW. The initial capital cost and total net present cost (NPC) are $21.775 and $26.148 respectively, with payback period of 5.8years. In conclusion, this study provides the solution of power supply to the small-scale industries at cost effective and available throughout the year and it is feasible to solve the small-scale industries, rural and urban electricity supplying in this country (Nigeria). It is recommended that Nigerian Government & Law makers should promotes the use of standalone PV system for domestic and small-scale industry by providing financial assistance through soft loans, subsides and grants.

Economic Multilateralism in Peril

The Doha Round of multilateral negotiations is at a stalemate. The aid situation is changing as many countries are graduating from the soft loan arm of the World Bank Group. Developing countries built up their foreign exchange reserves to avoid borrowing from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), leading the IMF to retrench. This article explores the evolution of multilateralism from, essentially, its political roots to the economic area after the First World War (FWW), though in a limited way, and more fully after the Second World War (SWW). We then discuss how the workings of these economic multilateral institutions resulted in the current situation, where they risk becoming irrelevant. Finally, the article discusses the possible role of theG20 in the revival of multilateralism and, in particular, the role that developing countries might play in the revival.

Energy, Communication, Health, Irrigation and Security Infrastructure and its impact on Household Poverty in Pakistan: A Case Study of District Rajanpur, Punjab

Infrastructure plays a pivotal role in economic development and for reduction of Households Poverty. The present study aims at investigating the effect of various kinds of infrastructure like Energy, Communication, Health, Irrigation, and Security on Households Poverty in one of the most under-developed districts of Pakistan namely Rajanpur. The survey was conducted for this purpose in the rural and urban areas and the researchers were successful to collect primary data from 300 households. The outcome of logistic regression suggests that Infrastructure in its various kinds i.e. Energy, Communication, Health, Irrigation, and Security are found as sources of lower Households Poverty. Moreover, Age, Education, Income, and value of assets tend to reduce Households poverty while Households poverty is increasing due to large family size and in urban areas of District Rajanpur. It is suggested that Government should give special attention to the provision of 5G internet technologies, access to clean drinking water, and disbursal of soft loans for the solar systems for the under-developed districts of Pakistan.

Barriers to product innovation among the manufacturing micro, small and medium enterprises in Malawi

Most micro, small, medium enterprises in Malawi struggle to grow and survive despite their critical role in the socio-economic development of the country. One major contributing factor is their inability to innovate. This study was therefore aimed at investigating the innovation barriers affecting the manufacturing MSMEs. The study was conducted among the 45 manufacturing MSMEs operating in the Malawi’s commercial city of Blantyre. The study adopted a case study approach and employed both quantitative and descriptive approaches. Empirical data was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire and one- on- one interview. The results of the study revealed that factors such as market competition, difficulty in accessing loans, inadequate government support, labour laws, taxes and regulations in the external environment, and inadequate financial resources, lack of qualified personnel, and poor financial performance within the enterprises hamper innovation activities within the MSMEs. Results of the study also revealed that despite government efforts to promote MSMEs innovativeness, most MSMEs do not participate in such government interventions and worse still some are not even aware of the existence of such interventions. The study therefore recommends that government should intensify its efforts to provide financial support in form of soft loans, entrepreneurial training to MSMEs and promote innovation in MSMEs through relevant policies. Key words: Micro small medium enterprises (MSMEs), innovation, barriers, manufacturing.

Menakar Alternatif Sumber Bantuan Likuiditas KSPPS Berbasis Grameen

The purpose of this study is to develop and measure various alternative liquidity assistance model policies that can provide solutions to the Grameen-based KSPPS liquidity problems. To describe the problems of Grameen-based KSPPS liquidity policies, the researcher uses the Analytic Network Process (ANP) methodology. ANP begins with the decomposition of problems through interviews and literature studies with the aim of exploring data sources and for the purposes of preparing the ANP model framework. The next step is followed by filling out a comparison questionnaire to get the choice of the most prioritized liquidity sources. The results of our research show that the revolving fund program and soft loans from the government are the source of liquidity with the main preference when it comes to the need for fund allocation. Meanwhile, when viewed from the variable consideration of the revolving fund program, it is the main priority. We also found that the crisis due to the Covid-19 pandemic greatly affected the liquidity problems of LKMS. Finally, this study also reveals that competition with PNM Mekar, which is a state-owned enterprise, was a major problem both before and after the Covid-19 crisis.

Assessment of the emerging impact of covid-19 pandemic on small-scale poultry farmers in Zambia

The Covid-19 pandemic has been reported to have disrupted the food systems globally, thereby, negatively affecting the production of agricultural commodities. This study was carried out to examine the emerging impact of the pandemic on small-scale poultry farmers in Lusaka Province, Zambia. Questionnaires were administered to 100 farmers in Chongwe rural area (Lusaka city sub-hub) and the data collected were subjected to descriptive and correlation analysis. The research findings revealed that the pandemic has a significant negative impact on the small-scale poultry farmer access to feed availability, vaccines and day old chicks. Similarly, the pandemic had a significant impact on market availability, accessibility and the purchasing power of the consumers. The research also indicated that a significant positive correlation exists between difficulties in accessing essential inputs for poultry productivity and the coping strategy that the poultry farmer adopted. While the government provided financial incentives to some industrial and commercial entities, most small- scale farmers in this study did not benefit from the scheme. This shows that the government is more focused on industrial entities rather than small-scale farmers and producers. The study concluded that farmers experienced a great effect of the pandemic on their poultry business due to the restriction imposed by the government, which caused inaccessibility of input supplies and market for the sale of birds. Mitigating strategies such as facilitating access to production inputs, market linkages and financial assistance (soft loans, grants, relief etc.) for small-scale poultry producers to build a resilient poultry system and cope with the emerging challenges Covid-19 imposed on the poultry industry, are recommended.