Analyzing the Impact of Foreign Remittances upon Poverty: A Case of Uzbekistan from Central Asia.

Remittances have always played a central role in strengthening the economies of low-income and middle-income developing countries. The remittances have also provided a phenomenal support to the economy of Uzbekistan, which is the third leading recipient country of foreign remittances in the Central Asian region after Kyrgzstan and Tajikistan. There is a strong need to investigate the impact of foreign remittances upon poverty reduction in case of Uzbekistan. This study has empirically investigated the impact of remittances on poverty in Uzbekistan by taking the variables like remittances, poverty size, capital formation, per capita GDP, savings and unemployment for the period of 2008-2019. Ordinary Least Square Regression was applied, and the results show an insignificant relationship between foreign remittances and poverty reduction. The reason could be that remittances in Uzbekistan are not pro-poor as mostly the workers from the rich families migrate to Russia. Furthermore most of the migrant workers prefer to settle down in Russia along with their families.

INVESTMENT ATTRACTIVENESS OF THE COUNTRY AND HER COMPONENTS

Important role in creating favorable conditions for the development of any economy is played by foreign investment. The attraction of foreign investment enables the recipient country to obtain a number of advantages, the main of which is the improvement of the balance of payments; transfer of the latest technologies and know-how; complex use of internal resources; development of export potential and reduction of dependence on imports; achievement of socio-economic effect (increase of employment level, development of social infrastructure, etc.). Possibilities of attracting investments into the country are depended first of all for the conditions for the investors who are created, that is, from the investment attractiveness of the country. The paper substantiates the theoretical positions that reveal the essence of the notion of investment. It is shown that investment attractiveness should be considered as an integral (factorial) characteristic, since the investment attractiveness of the country reflects the current state and level of development of the state, which is determined by the set of its economic, political, social, cultural, scientific and technological, infrastructure, financial, resource and raw materials, environmental and other factors that determine the solvent demand for investment. That is, this parameter is a cumulative estimate of all industries of the state's operation. The proposed approach to the estimation attractiveness of the country allows us to identify and assess the causes and problems in the economy, the degree of their importance and urgency, there is an opportunity to comprehend the influence of various factors on the increase or decrease of investment attractiveness of the state and there is a basis for an active approach to the identification of its constituent parts.

Research in International Transfer of Vocational Education and Training – A Systematic Literature Review

Context: The transfer of vocational education and training (VET) has a long tradition and can be based on various conceptual and methodical approaches. Transfer process and success can be influenced by numerous factors at different levels (systemic, institutional and individual). However, the existing research on the challenges and success factors of VET transfer is very heterogenous and fragmented. Method: To provide a comprehensive and structured overview of the current state of the international research on transfer in the context of VET, we conducted a literature review, which is presented here. Using the method of systematic literature review, a total of 231 studies were found and 41 studies were selected based on the defined criteria for full text analysis. Findings: Various specific research foci and analytical approaches used on the included studies were identified and documented. The transfer of a dual VET system or its elements is based on different approaches and perspectives of the recipient country and the transferee. Major challenges for the transfer of dual VET systems include the social reputation of VET in the recipient countries and (language- and culture-related) communication difficulties between the involved parties. For a successful transfer of VET, a deeper knowledge of the contextual conditions in the recipient country are of particular importance, as well as a close, longstanding cooperation between the involved parties. Conclusion: The generated knowledge about key contextual conditions at the individual, company and systemic level in the context of VET transfer can provide a valuable basis for future VET cooperation.

Peran Langsung NGO dalam Pembuatan Kebijakan Luar Negeri Indonesia terkait Sampah Impor 2019: Studi Kasus ECOTON

In 2018, the world of global waste trade received a major shick that has an impact to both waste exporting countries and waste importing countries, and that was the closure of waste imports by China, which was the largest recipient country at that time through National Sword Policy. Exporting countries were forced to duvert their waste to the recipient countries that have not implemented new policies related to the imported waste such as Indonesia. As a result, Indonesia received a significant increase imported waste and cause a negative impact on various sectors, one of which was the environment sector. This then triggered some parties who have concerns regarding environmental issue such as ECOTON to resolve this issue by pressing the government to make new policies to stop imported waste that continues to degrade the environment.the author use a qualitative-descriptive method so that the authors can explain in detail and systematically the role of ECOTON in foreign policy making by using the theory of the direct role of NGOs in foreign policy making as the basis.

Economic effects of defense industry projects

Subject. This paper discusses the assessment of economic effects of project implementation in the defense industry. Objectives. We investigate economic effects in the defense industry from the bottom, i.e. we calculate methods for analyzing specific project in specific conditions. Methods. The study rests on the rules for licensed trade, tax and accounting practices. Results. We offer tables to assess the effect of job creation, license and tax payments in international transactions. Conclusions. The economic effect of defense projects is very ambiguous, as it depends on the country, the existence of the national defense industry, and indicators in question. Given the high interest to defense technologies in the military technology recipient country, it is possible to remove technology transfer transactions from the general regulation, and create special conditions for projects implementation.

‘Making Ownership Real’: An analysis of ‘ownership’ in technical assistance projects in the Solomon Islands

<p>Recipient country ownership has been seen by many aid experts, to be an important way to improve the effectiveness of aid delivery. Technical assistance projects consume 25% of worldwide ODA,¹ and have been criticised by many aid experts for being ineffective. The Solomon Islands Government (SIG) has received a large amount of technical assistance over the last ten years and therefore makes it a useful government to use as a case study to answer the main question of this thesis: Is the transfer of ownership in technical assistance projects shifting from the donor to the SIG? The research has found that the SIG has more ownership of their technical assistance projects at the management level than at the operational level. The main constraints to SIG having more ownership at the management level were in the areas of technical advisor (TA) recruitment and performance management processes, and some areas of aid funding. At the operational level of technical assistance projects, the amount of SIG ownership was significantly less. Many of the restraints in the transfer of ownership to the SIG counterparts were at the individual TA level, and were largely related to poor working relationships between individual TAs and counterparts caused by shortcomings in TAs’ capacity building and people management skills and TAs’ lack of knowledge of the SIG working style and environment. More ownership needs to be transferred at the operational level for the SIG to have ‘real’ ownership of their technical assistance projects. ¹ OECD, Perspective Note: Technical Co-operation for Capacity Development, OECD, (2011), pg 4.</p>

‘Making Ownership Real’: An analysis of ‘ownership’ in technical assistance projects in the Solomon Islands

<p>Recipient country ownership has been seen by many aid experts, to be an important way to improve the effectiveness of aid delivery. Technical assistance projects consume 25% of worldwide ODA,¹ and have been criticised by many aid experts for being ineffective. The Solomon Islands Government (SIG) has received a large amount of technical assistance over the last ten years and therefore makes it a useful government to use as a case study to answer the main question of this thesis: Is the transfer of ownership in technical assistance projects shifting from the donor to the SIG? The research has found that the SIG has more ownership of their technical assistance projects at the management level than at the operational level. The main constraints to SIG having more ownership at the management level were in the areas of technical advisor (TA) recruitment and performance management processes, and some areas of aid funding. At the operational level of technical assistance projects, the amount of SIG ownership was significantly less. Many of the restraints in the transfer of ownership to the SIG counterparts were at the individual TA level, and were largely related to poor working relationships between individual TAs and counterparts caused by shortcomings in TAs’ capacity building and people management skills and TAs’ lack of knowledge of the SIG working style and environment. More ownership needs to be transferred at the operational level for the SIG to have ‘real’ ownership of their technical assistance projects. ¹ OECD, Perspective Note: Technical Co-operation for Capacity Development, OECD, (2011), pg 4.</p>

Pule: Development Policy Sovereignty in Samoa

<p>This study examines how the Government of Samoa (GoS) asserts development policy sovereignty when working with aid donors. Observations from findings of a review of development policy, and the author’s work in Samoa since 2002 suggested that GoS does in fact assert development policy sovereignty. The GoS is engaged with the global aid agenda and this is reflected in their development policy. The GoS is able to hold donors accountable to principles set out in high-level aid effectiveness forums. The outcomes of this research show that the GoS has a high level of ownership of their development programme and this is respected by donors. Samoa has a long history of independent thought and action. Through resistance groups such as the Mau a pule movement (Opinion of rule), Samoa stood up to the German and New Zealand colonial administrations between 1900 – 1961 and created a unique constitution when they became independent in 1962. Fa’aSamoa (the Samoan way) was central to the constitution and remains a strong part of Samoan culture today. It is suggested that the GoS officials use the Mau movement mindset when dealing with outsiders that come to Samoa. This is seen as a healthy way to act for a recipient country. Qualitative methodologies were used to keep the GoS at the centre of the research process. Interviews were conducted with representatives of the GoS, the private sector, civil society organisation and donors. All the interviews with Samoans were conducted bilingually. It was found that the GoS asserts its ownership over its own development through an educated, long serving, well informed and prepared public service. Due to a high calibre public service, officials know how to use donor resources to their advantage through the GoS development policy. Furthermore GoS officials are not intimidated by donors and are therefore not afraid to hold donors accountable to outcomes of high level aid effectiveness talks. The GoS follows the principles of the current global aid agenda in the contest for aid sovereignty - pule.</p>

Pule: Development Policy Sovereignty in Samoa

<p>This study examines how the Government of Samoa (GoS) asserts development policy sovereignty when working with aid donors. Observations from findings of a review of development policy, and the author’s work in Samoa since 2002 suggested that GoS does in fact assert development policy sovereignty. The GoS is engaged with the global aid agenda and this is reflected in their development policy. The GoS is able to hold donors accountable to principles set out in high-level aid effectiveness forums. The outcomes of this research show that the GoS has a high level of ownership of their development programme and this is respected by donors. Samoa has a long history of independent thought and action. Through resistance groups such as the Mau a pule movement (Opinion of rule), Samoa stood up to the German and New Zealand colonial administrations between 1900 – 1961 and created a unique constitution when they became independent in 1962. Fa’aSamoa (the Samoan way) was central to the constitution and remains a strong part of Samoan culture today. It is suggested that the GoS officials use the Mau movement mindset when dealing with outsiders that come to Samoa. This is seen as a healthy way to act for a recipient country. Qualitative methodologies were used to keep the GoS at the centre of the research process. Interviews were conducted with representatives of the GoS, the private sector, civil society organisation and donors. All the interviews with Samoans were conducted bilingually. It was found that the GoS asserts its ownership over its own development through an educated, long serving, well informed and prepared public service. Due to a high calibre public service, officials know how to use donor resources to their advantage through the GoS development policy. Furthermore GoS officials are not intimidated by donors and are therefore not afraid to hold donors accountable to outcomes of high level aid effectiveness talks. The GoS follows the principles of the current global aid agenda in the contest for aid sovereignty - pule.</p>

States, Markets, and Foreign Aid

Why do some donor governments pursue international development through recipient governments, while others bypass such local authorities? Weaving together scholarship in political economy, public administration and historical institutionalism, Simone Dietrich argues that the bureaucratic institutions of donor countries shape donor–recipient interactions differently despite similar international and recipient country conditions. Donor nations employ institutional constraints that authorize, enable and justify particular aid delivery tactics while precluding others. Offering quantitative and qualitative analyses of donor decision-making, the book illuminates how donors with neoliberally organized public sectors bypass recipient governments, while donors with more traditional public-sector-oriented institutions cooperate and engage recipient authorities on aid delivery. The book demonstrates how internal beliefs and practices about states and markets inform how donors see and set their objectives for foreign aid and international development itself. It informs debates about aid effectiveness and donor coordination and carries implications for the study of foreign policy, more broadly.