...European Journal of Economics, Finance and Administrative Sciences ISSN 1450-2275 Issue 11 (2008) © EuroJournals, Inc. 2008 http://www.eurojournalsn.com Reducing Unemployment Through the Informal Sector: A Case Study of Nigeria Ishola Rufus Akintoye Senior Lecturer, (OOU) Room 116, Department of Economics Faculty of the Social Sciences, University of Ibadan Ibadan, Nigeria – West Africa Abstract This paper seeks to establish that unemployment as one of the macroeconomic problems could be reduced through the informal sector participation provided it is well supported and manged. The informal sector in itself may not be able to achieve much as we have presently due to inaccessibility to credit, but with the on-going policy of the Federal Government through the Central Bank of Nigeria on micro-financing the macroeconomic objective of reduced unemployment, if not full employment will become a reality in Nigeria. The microfinance policy has empowered the many microfinance institutions to provide credit to the informal sector. We therefore advise that the Nigerian Government and all relevant stakeholders continue in their quest towards reducing unemployment while they give their undivided support, in making sure that the informal sector continues to enjoy access to credit to finance its activities and accomplish its goal of unemployment reduction. Introduction Unemployment is one of the developmental problems that face every developing economy in the 21st century. International...
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...Y V Reddy: Fiscal policy and economic reforms Address by Dr Y V Reddy, Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, at the National Institute of Public Finance and Policy (NIPFP), New Delhi, 26 May 2008 (edited transcript). * * * Respected Professor Govinda Rao and distinguished scholars, I am honoured by my friend, Prof. Govinda Rao’s, kind invitation to me to visit the National Institute of Public Finance and Policy (NIPFP). I had the opportunity of working very closely with the NIPFP on several occasions. Apart from my personal affinity to the NIPFP, there is a close relationship between the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the NIPFP, from an institutional point of view also. For instance, Prof. Govinda Rao is a Member of the Southern Local Board of RBI. Initially, I thought of speaking on fiscal policy and economic reforms from a central banker’s perspective. I realised later that while I have been working as a central banker over the last one decade, I had worked for most parts of the three decades prior to that in the Ministry of Finance, in the Government of India as well as in the Government of Andhra Pradesh. So it was a difficult choice for me as to whether I should give a fiscal view of the monetary policy or a monetary view of the fiscal policy. I have worked for a short period in the World Bank, which gives a global governments’ view and also in the IMF, which gives a global monetary authority’s view. As a via-media, I have opted to give a practitioner’s perspective...
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...the euro-zone crisis – causes, the crisis and reformation policies (with special reference to greece) the euro-zone ‘The Eurozone’ is the nickname commonly used to describe the member states that use the EU’s single currency, the Euro. The idea of creating a single currency for the European Community was first mentioned in the 1970 Werner report, which led to the establishing of the European Monetary System (EMS), the forerunner of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU). The Maastricht Treaty (1992) made EMU a part of EU law and set out a plan to introduce the single currency (the Euro) by 1999. The Maastricht Treaty also established certain budgetary and monetary rules for countries wishing to join the EMU (known as the convergence criteria). In 1998, 11 member states (Germany, France, Italy, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Austria and Finland) undertook the final stage of EMU when they adopted a single exchange rate, which was set by the European Central Bank (Britain, Sweden and Denmark negotiated an opt-out from this final states of EMU). The new Euro notes and coins were launched on 1 January 2002. There are currently 16 EU states in the Eurozone. Greece joined the initial 11 members in 2001, Slovenia joined in 2007, Cyprus and Malta in 2008, and Slovakia joined in 2009. Estonia is due to join the Eurozone in 2011. All future members of the EU must adopt the Euro when they fulfil the convergence criteria. Economic and Monetary Union...
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...Macroeconomic Analysis Coverage of Government Operations Timing of the Impact of Fiscal Transactions Defining the "Overall Fiscal Balance"How Much Fiscal Adjustment Is Required? A Framework for Fiscal Adjustment Determining the Amount of Fiscal Adjustment Reducing the Fiscal Deficit Quality of AdjustmentHow Should Fiscal Adjustment Be Effected? Measures to Improve the Tax System and Increase Revenue Characteristics of a Desirable Tax System Design of Major Taxes Rationalization of Expenditure Policies Expenditure Reduction in the Short Run Structural Public Expenditure ReformReferencesBoxes1. Adverse Consequences of Excessive Fiscal Expansion for Growth2. The Exchange Rate Effects of Fiscal Policy3. Quasi-Fiscal Activities of Public Financial Institutions4. When Should a Country Run a Fiscal Surplus?5. Technical Assistance for Growth6. Social Safety Nets7. Reforming Tax Administration8. The Budget and Expenditure...
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...The Impact of Globalisation on the Australian Economy By Anthony Stokes Lecturer in Economics, Australian Catholic University Globalisation is not new. Australia has been involved in trade, investment, financial flows, technology transfers and the migration of labour since its foundation as a colony. What has changed is the size, direction and influence of these transfers, especially since 1980. There are a number of factors that have aided this transformation. They include: • The expansion of new markets – foreign exchange and capital markets are linked globally. They operate 24 hours a day with dealings any where in the world possible in real time. Financial deregulation and the floating of the Australian dollar since 1983 intensified the impact of globalisation on the Australian economy. • New technology and the tools of globalisation – the internet, email, mobile phones, media and communication networks have all sped up the process of globalisation. They have increased the spread and speed of knowledge transfer and communication. Australian consumers can buy products from any nation in the world, transfer funds between accounts or purchase shares in any major market. Australian businesses can market their products at a fraction of the cost and be exposed to a global market place of competition. This potentially is the closest we will ever come to the perfect market. • New institutional players – The World Trade Organisation (WTO) has growing authority...
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...Introduction Historically, financial crises have been followed by a wave of governments defaulting on their debt obligations. Financial crises tend to lead to, or exacerbate, sharp economic downturns, low government revenues, widening government deficits, and high levels of debt, pushing many governments into default. As recovery from the global financial crisis begins, but the global recession endures, some point to the threat of a second wave of the crisis: sovereign debt crises. Greece is currently facing a classic sovereign debt crisis. Greece accumulated high levels of debt during the decade before the crisis, when capital markets were highly liquid. As the crisis has unfolded, and capital markets have become more illiquid, Greece may no longer be able to roll over its maturing debt obligations. Some analysts have discussed the possibility of a Greek default. To avoid such a default, however, the Greek government has introduced a variety of austerity measures and, on April 23, 2010, formally requested financial assistance from the other 15 European Union (EU) member states that use the euro as their national currency (the Euro zone) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).Greece’s debt crisis has raised a host of questions about the merits of the euro and the prospects for future European integration, with some calling for more integration and others less. Some have also pointed to possible problems associated with a common monetary policy but diverse national fiscal policies...
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...Abstract Financial intermediation is an important activity in the economy because it allows funds to be channeled from people who might otherwise not put them to productive use to people who will ultimately put the funds to productive uses. In line with the assumption that banking sector plays an important role in financing the investment projects, successive governments in Nigeria have carried out reforms and institutional innovations in the banking sector. The overall intention of these reforms has been to ensure financial stability so as to influence the growth of the economy and also enhance banks to play a critical role of financial intermediation in Nigeria. However, despite the fact that Nigerian banks have undergone series of restructuring/reforms aimed at strengthening the banks’ ability to efficient service delivery and fund the real sector, problems such as; inefficiency in allocating funds to the real sector, lack of long-dated funding, neglect of the core private sector in terms of credit extension, weak capacity of the banks to fund the real sector, low-level activities of banks, and illiquidity still lingers. This study therefore, examines empirically the impact of financial intermediation on the development of the Nigerian economy with the aim of determining the importance of financial intermediaries and its influence. This study found out that the financial intermediaries (banks) in Nigeria exhibit inefficiency and weak capacity in the allocation of funds to...
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...fulfillment of the requirement of the course “F-310: Public Finance” of BBA program under Department of Finance of the Faculty of Business Studies, University of Dhaka and under the observation of the assigner teacher Umma Rumana Huq on 22 November 2012. Objective The broad objective of the study is to identify the various ways to finance economic growth and poverty reduction strategies in Bangladesh for attaining better economic performance and realizing the objectives of the Millennium Development Goals. The specific objectives are to: i. Review the source of finance of public expenditure and private sector investment. ii. Analyze government expenditure and private investment at sectoral level. iii. Review the fiscal and monetary policy in quest of developing a conducive framework for financing economic growth and poverty reduction. iv. Review the financing policies of the government related to social development and poverty (including policies related to health, education, women, children, indigenous people, etc.). v. Explore the challenges and options for resource mobilization to finance public expenditure and private investment. Methodology In congruence with the objectives of the study, a draft outline for the study and a framework for reviewing the national policies were prepared. While preparing the outline, the following issues were considered: analyzing past and ongoing policy reforms and their implications to growth and poverty reduction; reviewing revenue and development...
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...World Bank: Roles and Responsibilities in Developing Countries Mathew Vettukallel Liberty University Business 606-B01 LUO Professor Dr. Joan Koonce October 11, 2013 Abstract This research paper will focus on how the World Bank has helped many third world counties to transition into developing nations. The mission of the World Bank is total elimination of poverty from the face of the earth by the year 2030 (www.worldbank.org). The World Bank has been helping many developing countries to fight against diseases such as AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria in many parts of the world (Clark, 2011). The World Bank is offering financial help for several programs to help with agriculture, transportation, infrastructure, and irrigation in many South Asian countries to reduce poverty. There has been so much controversy about the activities of the World Bank. Even though the main mission of the World Bank is to alleviate poverty from the face of the earth, there has been severe criticism that the World Bank is changing its focus to financial policy reforms and structural adjustments. The World Bank as an international financial institution has done so much to help numerous developing countries when they are in financial crisis or needed help to undertake a major development project. Regardless of the criticism and corruption accusations, this author believes that the World Bank is in the right direction by providing basic reforms and structural adjustments in order to alleviate...
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...DFI 503 FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND MARKETS COURSE FACILI TATION MATERIAL COMPILED BY ANGELA M. KITHINJI UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI SCHOOL OF BUSINESS DFI 503: FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS & MARKETS COURSE OUTLINE COURSE FACILITATOR MRS KITHINJI [Financial Markets, Financial Institutions, the Power of Information, and Financial Policies] WEEK 1. An Overview of Financial Institutions and Markets • The Financial System of an Economy • The Structure of a Financial System • The Stock Market 2. Emerging Markets, African Markets and Capital Market Development • Financial Markets and the Organized Exchange • Characteristics of Emerging Capital Markets • Indicators of Capital Market Development 3. Financial Regulation, Intermediation, Capital Market Structures and Development • The Players in a Typical Capital Market: - Capital Market Intermediaries - The Regulator: The Capital Market Authority - The Stock Exchange [NSE] - Investors - Government • The Institutional, Regulatory and Legal Framework in Financial Markets - Types of Regulations in Financial Markets - Market Based Banking Regulations - Crisis in Banking Regulation. 4. Securities and Their Characteristics • Shares, Fixed Income Securities, Derivatives • Challenges of Trading of securities in the Stock Market • Why Derivatives Trading is Absent in Most Emerging Markets 5. Financial...
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...Introduction: The Economic reforms currently underway in India represent both continuity and a break with India's post-independence development. Its main objective is to restore sustained high growth to alleviate poverty and raise the standard of living. Development of Thought: Changes in the policy packages towards deregulation, liberalization and opening up of the economy were initiated in the late 70s and early 80s but it was not until 1991 that major economic reforms were undertaken. The major changes in India's economic reforms fall broadly under five heads-industrial, trade, financial, fiscal and monetary. However these measures of stabilization are not by themselves enough. The main impetus for sustainable economic growth has to originate with efficiency and productivity growth brought about through the expansion of investment and exports. Another important aspect to be considered is the large number of people in the country living on the poverty line. To make any reform process socially acceptable a poverty alleviation programme must be in. In the context of resource constraints, a serious thinking has to be done as to the extent and pace of economic reforms. Conclusion: India has to go through a painful period of adjustment before the liberalization can have its fruitful impact upon the economy. In liberalizing the economy the government must not forget to protect the poor and the needs of human development. The present bout of economic reforms in India-those started...
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...their national authorities. Cover design and typesetting: IMF Graphics Section Please send orders to: International Monetary Fund, Publication Services 700 19th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20431, USA Tel.: (202) 623-7430 Telefax: (202) 623-7201 E-mail: publications@imf.org Internet: http://www.imf.org Contents Preface ............................................................................................... List of Abbreviations ........................................................................ I. II. Introduction ........................................................................... Quotas and Voting Power in the IMF: A System That Calls for Greater Equity ................................................... Role of Quotas and the Debate on the Quota Formula............ Further Work Toward Correcting Distortions and Enhancing Equity in Voting Power ........................................................ III. Checks and Balances in the Governance of the IMF .......... The Executive Board................................................................ The Managing Director............................................................ The Staff................................................................................... IV. Consensus Decision Making in a...
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...Oil Economies and Globalization: The Case of the GCC Countries Yousif Khalifa Al-Yousif Email: subhanah@emirates.net.ae Key Words: Oil, GCC Countries, Gulf JEL codes: G18, Q32, O47 Introduction Over the past 50 years, world trade has increased at a faster rate than world output. Between 1948 and 1999, merchandise exports grew by 6% in real terms, compared to an annual average output growth of 3.7% (World Trade Organization, 1998: 33-36). This means that today, the countries depend more on trade than they had following World War II. In other words, the world economy is becoming more integrated and more globalized. So, what forces have been driving this phenomenon? Is globalization a positive force in the economic development of the third world countries? Does globalizations have any downsides and if so, how can the world community deal with the downsides? What are the challenges and opportunities with which globalization presents the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) economies? How can these countries harness the winds of globalization in ways that help them realize their development goals? The answers to these questions will provide a better understanding of globalization and its economic implications for the GCC economics and the rest of the world. The rest of the paper is organized as follows. First, there is a brief discussion of the major forces behind the increasing globalization of the world economy in recent decades as well as the alternative views of the implications...
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...its impact on Indian Economy: Developments and Challenges Globalization (or globalization) describes a process by which regional economies, societies, and cultures have become integrated through a global network of communication, transportation, and trade. The term is sometimes used to refer specifically to economic globalization: the integration of national economies into the international economy through trade, foreign direct investment, capital flows, migration, and the spread of technology. Globalization as a spatial integration in the sphere of social relations when he said “Globalization can be defined as the intensification of worldwide social relations which link distant locations in such a way that local happenings are shaped by events occurring many miles away and vice – versa.” Globalization generally means integrating economy of our nation with the world economy. The economic changes initiated have had a dramatic effect on the overall growth of the economy. It also heralded the integration of the Indian economy into the global economy. The Indian economy was in major crisis in 1991 when foreign currency reserves went down to $1 billion. Globalization had its impact on various sectors including Agricultural, Industrial, Financial, Health sector and many others. It was only after the LPG policy i.e. Liberalization, Privatization and Globalization launched by the then Finance Minister Man Mohan Singh that India saw its development in various sectors. Advent of New Economic...
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...Research Assignment: “Asia’s performance during the global financial crisis has highlighted its flexibility. This flexibility, in part, arises from transformations undertaken in response to the Asian financial crisis a decade earlier.” Student Name: Eric Rodrigues Student Name: Mehmet Edib Unal Introduction The Asian Financial Crisis occurred during the year 1997-1998, and is explained well in brief by Galina Hale “East Asian countries experienced severe banking crises. Nonperforming loan ratios skyrocketed because of prior excessive risk taking and most banks had to be recapitalized by their governments.” (Hale 2011, p.3) After ten years, The Asian Financial Crisis was followed by The Global Financial Crisis in 2008. “The precise genesis of the global crisis remains subject to debate. (Lin 2012, Treichel 2012, p.3) “We will argue that global imbalances were the result of the large excess demand in the U.S. over an extended period—the financing of which was made possible by the reserve currency status of the US dollar. “This excess demand resulted from both the public debt” and “the overconsumption by households.” (Lin 2012, Treichel 2012, p.3) “As shock waves of the global financial crisis (GFC) reached East Asia in autumn 2008 immediately after the collapse of Lehman Brothers in September, the region faced the task of evaluating and reassessing the economic cooperation efforts of the previous ten years” (Katada 2011, p.274) Thus by evaluating and reassessing...
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