Constraints to Economic Development and Growth in the Middle East and North Africa

When comparing the speed and extent of economic development in different geographic regions of the world over the past 20 years, the under-average performance of Arab countries in general and Arab Mediterranean countries in particular is striking. This is despite an overall favorable geo-strategic situation at the crossroads of three continents, with excellent connections to sea and waterways and in direct proximity to the European Union, one of the world’s economic hubs. It is also despite the minor importance of negative factors such as a high-burden diseases or high levels of ethnic fractionalization. In this paper, I focus on identifying the most important constraints on Arab Mediterranean economic development. I use state-of-the-art econometric tools to quantify constraints that have been identified through economic theory and studies of the political economy characteristics of the region. The empirical results offer support for the central hypothesis that limited technological capacities and political economy structures are the primary constraints on economic development. With a view to international structural adjustment efforts, my findings imply that the limited success of the Euro-Mediterranean policy to stimulate the economic development of the Arab Mediterranean countries might be because structural adjustment efforts do not tackle—or at least do not sufficiently tackle— these constraints.Vergleicht man Geschwindigkeit und Umfang der wirtschaftlichen Entwicklung der verschiedenen Weltregionen in den vergangenen zwanzig Jahren, so fällt insbesondere das unterdurchschnittliche Abschneiden der arabischen Länder im Allgemeinen und der arabischen Mittlemeerländer im Besonderen ins Auge, und dies trotz einer insgesamt vorteilhaften geographischen Lage im Schnittpunkt dreier Kontinente mit exzellenten Anschlussmöglichkeiten an See- und Wasserwege, trotz der direkten Nachbarschaft zum Weltwirtschaftsdrehkreuz Europäische Union und trotz der relativ geringen Bedeutung wichtiger entwicklungshemmender Faktoren, beispielsweise ethnische Zersplitterung oder massive Ausbreitung von Krankheiten wie AIDS oder Malaria. In diesem Aufsatz wird versucht, von den unterschiedlichen Hemmfaktoren wirtschaftlicher Entwicklung, die in der wirtschaftstheoretischen Literatur und/oder in MENARegionalstudien diskutiert werden, diejenigen herauszuarbeiten, die wirtschaftliche Entwicklung am stärksten behindern oder möglicherweise stärker als andere. Dabei benutze ich modernste ökonometrische Verfahren, um den Einfluss der verschiedenen erklärenden Variablen zu quantifizieren. Die Ergebnisse stützen die Eingangshypothese, dass insbesondere mangelnde technologische Kapazitäten und Fähigkeiten sowie regionalspezifische politökonomische Strukturen die wirtschaftliche Entwicklung in den arabischen Mittelmeerländern behindern

The Effect of Probiotic Supplementation on Gastrointestinal Quality of Life

Purpose. The purpose of this research study was to investigate the effect of Puritan’s Pride probiotic on gastrointestinal quality of life of working adults at the Loma Linda Support Services Building aged 18 to 65 years. Methods. Working adults, 18 to 65 years of age, from the Loma Linda Support Services Building were eligible to participate in the study. Subjects were excluded if they were taking antibiotics or had taken antibiotics within the previous six months. Subjects who consented were given an initial Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI)12 test and a probiotic supplement for 60 days. Subjects’ body composition was also tested during the initial visit. After the 60 days of supplementation, subjects returned to retake the GIQLI and to retest their body composition. Results. Eleven subjects, 1 male and 10 females, reported for post intervention GIQLI and body composition testing. A mean increase of 10.7 (SD= 11.1) in GIQLI scores was found after probiotic supplementation (p = .009). No significant differences were found in pre and postintervention measurements for BMI, body fat, and weight. The best predictor of postintervention GIQLI scores was preintervention GIQLI scores. Conclusion. There was an improvement in the related gastrointestinal quality of life in our subjects as shown through a significant increase in GIQLI scores and subjects’ commentary. The best predictor of posttest GIQLI scores was pretest GIQLI scores

Non-communicable diseases among Orang Asli of Kampung Ulu Tual

Introduction: Non communicable disease is increasing in trend and becoming one of significant major global problem that involves all strata of population including the aborigines. In fact, the prevalence might be higher in this population due to lack of access for regular screening and different sociodemographic background including tendency to migrate in different areas. Methodology: This study aims to identify the prevalence of non-communicable diseases among adult population of Orang Asli in the remote area of Pahang. A cross sectional study was conducted on 20th April 2019 during community service in Kampung Ulu Tual, whereby communicable diseases had been screened. SPSS version 23 is used for statistical analysis. Associations between variables were measured. Results: Prevalence of overweight/obesity is 36.6%, hypertension is 3.3% and abnormal blood sugar is 53.3%. There is no statistical significant association between prevalence of the non-communicable diseases across age and gender. Discussion: The prevalence of overweight/obesity among Orang Asli in this region is almost similar in our national prevalence with more than half of them are prone to develop diabetes. This study proved a linear relationship between overweight/obesity, abdominal obesity and diabetes. Conclusion: These results highlight the need for urgent interventions to reduce and prevent risk factors of non-communicable diseases even in rural area of Pahan

Technological Readiness in the Middle East and North Africa – Implications for Egypt

Innovation is widely recognized as a key driver of sustainable economic development. Governments, international organizations, donors and investors are increasingly interested in evaluating the technological capabilities and innovative capacities in developing countries, but often lack appropriate approaches for such measurement. This paper focuses on innovation and technological progress in the MENA region and discusses the challenges of understanding, expanding and fostering innovative potential in Egypt.Innovation wird weithin als eine treibende Kraft von nachhaltiger wirtschaftlicher Entwicklung angesehen. Regierungen, internationale Organisationen, Geber von Entwicklungshilfe und Investoren haben ein zunehmendes Interesse daran, die technologischen Fertigkeiten und die innovative Leistungsfähigkeit von Entwicklungsländern zu beurteilen, häufig mangelt es jedoch an geeigneten Ansätzen für eine solche Untersuchung. Dieses Paper untersucht den Fortschritt in den Bereichen Innovation und Technologie in der MENA-Region und diskutiert die Herausforderungen, die das Verstehen, Ausweiten und Fördern des innovativen Potenzials in Ägypten darstellen

Chile's export diversification since 1960: A free market miracle or mirage?

Conventional wisdom has proclaimed Chile's recent economic development a 'free market miracle'. In an examination of Chile's export diversification experience, this article departs from that view. By analysing the dynamics underlying the emergence of the salmon, fruit, forestry and wine sectors in Chile's export basket since the 1960s, the study sheds light on the crucial role of industrial policy in the process of capability accumulation that shapes new industries. The article undertakes a qualitative historical analysis of the scope and nature of policy interventions in each of the four sectors and conducts a quantitative policy evaluation using the difference-in-difference method. It finds that public institutions are essential in overcoming market failures inhibiting the emergence of new industries. Specifically, it shows that the government has a key role to play as a catalyst of human capital accumulation, as a venture capitalist, in trade promotion, and in ensuring 'national' sector reputation through a strong regulatory and quality control role. By elaborating on the dynamic process of structural transformation and capability accumulation, this article contributes to theoretical debates on the role of vertical policies in the emergence of new competitive sectors, and debates relating to static versus dynamic approaches to comparative advantage