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Begin New Search Content Type Policy Brief Publication Year within 25 Years

7121. Why Is the East Asia Industrial Corridor Needed?

Author:
Fukunari Kimura and Izuru Kobayashi
Publication Date:
01-2009
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA)
Abstract:
The East Asia Industrial Corridor Project, in particular the Southern Corridor and its extension, can be a path-breaking effort for attaining both deepening economic integration and narrowing development gaps. New economic thoughts claim the necessity of comprehensive approach in which various policy modes and a number of stake holders are effectively coordinated.
Topic:
Development, International Cooperation, International Trade and Finance, and Economic Integration
Political Geography:
East Asia and Asia

7122. Food Issues and Regional Cooperation in Dynamic East Asia

Author:
Fukunari Kimura, Daisuke Hiratsuka, and Kazunari Tsukada
Publication Date:
02-2009
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA)
Abstract:
How can Asia avoid another panic in international markets of our staple crops, particularly rice?Lessons from the last food crisis in 2006-2008.
Topic:
Security, International Trade and Finance, Markets, Regional Cooperation, and Food
Political Geography:
Asia

7123. A lot of Reasons Why We Should Invest More in East Asia

Author:
Fukunari Kimura and Soji Samikawa
Publication Date:
04-2009
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA)
Abstract:
Although the impact of financial crisis originated from North America and Europe has come to East Asia through both the financial link and the real economy link, the East Asian countries have so far largely responded to it calmly and cautiously. There are now a lot of reasons why we should invest more in East Asia not only for providing short-run stimulus but also for strengthening long-run growth basis. The introduction of market forces in infrastructure development in the form of public-private partnership (PPP) is delayed in East Asia and is thus to be promoted. However, the importance of public initiatives including official development assistance (ODA) and other official flows (OOF) must also be emphasized in recession.
Topic:
Development, International Cooperation, Finance, Investment, and Economic Cooperation
Political Geography:
East Asia and Asia

7124. Global Financial Crisis and Policy Responses in Southeast Asia : Towards Prudent Macroeconomic Policies

Author:
Friska Parulian
Publication Date:
07-2009
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA)
Abstract:
The global financial crisis hit the Southeast Asian economies through financial and real sectors by the combination of lower global demand and tighter credit demand effect. The challenge for policymakers in this region is not just to prevent the escalation of the crisis and to mitigate the downturn, but also to ensure a good starting position once the rebound sets in. Policymakers should avoid taking on an excessive level of debt or creating the conditions for an inflationary bubble by the current reaction to the global slowdown. A prudent counter-cyclical policy is necessary, and we should not ignore the medium and long-term sustainability.
Topic:
Economics, Global Financial Crisis, Macroeconomics, and Sustainability
Political Geography:
Asia and Southeast Asia

7125. Is Promoting Foreign Direct Investment Worthwhile? Learning from the East Asian Experience

Author:
Dionisius Narjoko
Publication Date:
11-2009
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA)
Abstract:
East Asia presents a new model of industrialization that aggressively utilizes the dynamics of multinational corporations (MNCs). The model puts networks of production into practice, and such networks improve domestic capability and contribution to national output. Promoting foreign direct investment (FDI) is therefore warranted to ensure the sustainability of the production-network model. For this reason, FDI should always be promoted even when demand is less supportive, such as at this moment during the current global economic crisis.
Topic:
Foreign Direct Investment, Economy, Manufacturing, Industrialization, and Sustainability
Political Geography:
East Asia and Asia

7126. Trade Facilitation in the ASEAN Economic Community

Author:
Christopher Findlay
Publication Date:
11-2009
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA)
Abstract:
Trade facilitation refers to the reduction of costs in the trading system. Significant cost reductions are possible, but policy reform and international cooperation are required to capture those gains. ASEAN has a key role to play in that work. Suggestions for the ASEAN scorecard are to reinforce or add commitments to, and then monitor the implementation of (a) National Single Windows as a prerequisite to the ASEAN Single Window, (b) a web-based databank of trade regulations that is regularly updated, (c) streamlined and harmonized procedures, starting with the Customs declaration (or 'SAD') form, and (d) mutually recognized technical standards. In terms of performance measures it is recommended to (1) have ASEAN customs authorities report regularly and in a comparable manner on clearance time through customs, (2) maintain and report updates of a logistics restrictiveness index for all countries in each year which has been developed in this project, and (3) recalculate adjusted cif/fob ratios as measures of trade costs, using the methodology developed in this project.
Topic:
Economics, International Cooperation, International Trade and Finance, World Trade Organization, World Bank, and Tariffs
Political Geography:
Asia and Southeast Asia

7127. The Eastern Partnership and Estonia: Policy Recommendations

Author:
Merle Maigre and Kaarel Kaas
Publication Date:
11-2009
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
International Centre for Defence and Security - ICDS
Abstract:
ICDS researchers Kaarel Kaas and Merle Maigre have completed a Policy Brief with recommendations and suggestions for Estonia’s engagement with the EU’s Eastern Partnership. The European Union’s Eastern Partnership establishes a new political instrument for the promotion of democracy and economic reforms in the EU’s eastern neighbourhood. Since the war in Georgia in August 2008 and the gas crisis in the winter of 2008/2009, it has become clear that the developments in Ukraine, Moldova, Belarus and the South Caucasus have a direct impact on the security of the EU and Estonia, as well. It is, therefore, in the interests of Estonia to provide maximum support for our eastern partners in their reform efforts and convergence with the EU.
Topic:
Reform, European Union, Partnerships, and Democracy
Political Geography:
Russia, Europe, Ukraine, Moldova, Estonia, South Caucasus, and Belarus

7128. To Curtail the Iranian Nuclear Threat, Change Tehran's Threat Perceptions

Author:
Greg Thielmann
Publication Date:
04-2009
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Arms Control Association
Abstract:
Iran’s pursuit of nuclear technology, and possibly nuclear weapons, stems from its complicated threat environment and the historical grievances it harbors concerning the United States. Tehran now faces large numbers of U.S. troops in its neighbors to the west and east with few regional allies. The most productive path for averting nuclear weapons development in Iran is for Washington to seek to alter Iran’s threat perceptions.
Topic:
Arms Control and Proliferation, National Security, and Nuclear Weapons
Political Geography:
Iran, Middle East, and United States of America

7129. Strategic Missile Defense: A Reality Check

Author:
Greg Thielmann
Publication Date:
05-2009
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Arms Control Association
Abstract:
Strategic Missile Defense offers no real disincentive for rogue regimes such as North Korea or Iran to develop or use ballistic missiles, nor does it offer any protection against the more acute threat of terrorist groups smuggling weapons of mass destruction into the United States. Instead, the aggressive pursuit of strategic missile defense makes it more difficult to constrain the potential offensive nuclear threat from Russia and China.
Topic:
Arms Control and Proliferation, Nuclear Weapons, Terrorism, and Missile Defense
Political Geography:
Russia, China, Iran, North Korea, and United States of America

7130. Preventive Military Action: The Worst Way to Deal With Iran's Nuclear Program

Author:
Greg Thielmann
Publication Date:
06-2009
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Arms Control Association
Abstract:
Although the possibility of Iranian nuclear weapons is a major concern for Israel and the United States, leaving the "military option" on the table is counterproductive. Preventive military action by either country against Iran's nuclear facilities would only delay, rather than halt, Tehran's nuclear program, and it would cause Iran to retaliate against the United States as well as Israel. The aftermath of such an attack would be disastrous for the U.S. position in the region-particularly for relations with Israel and with Iraq-and its position in the wider world.
Topic:
Arms Control and Proliferation, Nuclear Weapons, and Military
Political Geography:
Iran, Middle East, Israel, and United States of America