Capitalizing on the G7 Research Compact Rules for S&T collaboration should be integrated with trade and investment agreements

At the close of their June 2021 summit in Cornwall, the heads of state of the G7 nations issued a blueprint for developing potentially pivotal sovereign-to-sovereign science and technology (S&T) agreements for robust collective action in research and development (R&D): the G7 Research Compact (1). If such agreements can be properly focused and executed—and broadened over time to include other democracies—it could unlock solutions to a class of pressing global problems that can only be effectively addressed by multilateral, public-private applied R&D collaboration. Yet, an uneven track record of such collaboration thus far suggests that the G7 must modernize their international S&T agreements to generate more dexterity in establishing and managing cross-border R&D relationships, especially to enhance their economic growth and global competitiveness. To do this, the G7 must redesign their approach so that R&D collaboration is integrated into their international trade and investment agreements

Foreign Direct Investment by Emerging Economy Multinationals: Coping with the Global Crisis

Even before the onset of the global crisis, the global market for foreign direct investment (FDI) had undergone significant changes. Foremost amongst these changes was the increasing importance of emerging market multinationals (MNEs). While outward foreign direct investment (OFDI) from these markets is, in itself, not new, the magnitude that this phenomenon achieved prior to the crisis and its resilience in the face of the global crisis suggest that this is not a temporary occurrence but rather a sign of a fundamental change that is taking place in the global OFDI market. However, emerging markets are not homogenous: in addition to the rise in OFDI from emerging markets, the formation of new regional groupings has led to the emergence of fresh investment patterns. This chapter examines changes taking place in global FDI flows and looks at the impact of the crisis in the context of profound structural changes; it also focuses on the response of emerging markets and the enormous risks and challenges that lie ahead. It is vital to note that this crisis is ongoing, and it is too early to predict the final contours it will leave in its wake on the FDI landscape

Use of social audits to examine unofficial payments in government health services: experience in South Asia, Africa, and Europe

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Unofficial payments in health services around the world are widespread and as varied as the health systems in which they occur. We reviewed the main lessons from social audits of petty corruption in health services in South Asia (Bangladesh, Pakistan), Africa (Uganda and South Africa) and Europe (Baltic States).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The social audits varied in purpose and scope. All covered representative sample communities and involved household interviews, focus group discussions, institutional reviews of health facilities, interviews with service providers and discussions with health authorities. Most audits questioned households about views on health services, perceived corruption in the services, and use of government and other health services. Questions to service users asked about making official and unofficial payments, amounts paid, service delivery indicators, and satisfaction with the service.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Contextual differences between the countries affected the forms of petty corruption and factors related to it. Most households in all countries held negative views about government health services and many perceived these services as corrupt. There was little evidence that better off service users were more likely to make an unofficial payment, or that making such a payment was associated with better or quicker service; those who paid unofficially to health care workers were not more satisfied with the service. In South Asia, where we conducted repeated social audits, only a minority of households chose to use government health services and their use declined over time in favour of other providers. Focus groups indicated that reasons for avoiding government health services included the need to pay for supposedly free services and the non-availability of medicines in facilities, often perceived as due to diversion of the supplied medicines.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Unofficial expenses for medical care represent a disproportionate cost for vulnerable families; the very people who need to make use of supposedly free government services, and are a barrier to the use of these services. Patient dissatisfaction due to petty corruption may contribute to abandonment of government health services. The social audits informed plans for tackling corruption in health services.</p

Chinese FDI in Sub-Saharan Africa: Engaging with Large Dragons

Dans le cadre de l'intérêt porté aux impacts des investissements chinois en Afrique sub-saharienne (ASS), cet article porte sur l'engagement de ces pays africains dans un partenariat avec des grandes entreprises d'Etat chinoises qui investissent dans les secteurs d'infrastructures et de ressources naturelles. Après avoir démontré l'ampleur des différents types d'investissements chinois, l'attention porte sur les caractéristiques propres à ces grandes entreprises publiques. Ces investissements chinois sont étroitement liés à l'aide et au commerce. L’article conclut que les pays d’ASS devraient adopter une réponse également intégrée et ciblée vis-à-vis les investisseurs chinois ainsi qu’aux autres investisseurs à grande échelle qui cherchent à exploiter leurs ressources afin de maximiser les opportunités qui leur sont offertes du fait des dotations en ressources naturelles du continent.European Journal of Development Research (2009) 21, 551–569. doi:10.1057/ejdr.2009.24

Do Chinese Exports Crowd-out African Goods&quest; An Econometric Analysis by Country and Sector

Trade is one of the key channels through which Chinese economic growth affects the world economy and especially developing countries. African manufacturing sector is confined to few traditional sectors. Even if at times, and in some sectors, African exports have been favored by preferential treatments, Africa has proven to be particularly vulnerable to the competitive threat posed by China in third markets, including other African countries. With the intensification of economic relations, in fact, China has started flooding African markets with its low-cost manufactures, often at the expense of local producers. Furthermore, in Africa's main trade partners, namely United States and European Union, most Chinese goods are likely to crowd-out cheap African manufactures. We measure the indirect impact of China on African exports. Using disaggregated data for the period 1995–2005, we present significant evidence on the existence of a displacement effect at different levels: sector, product, region and market.C'est à travers la croissance économique chinoise que se manifeste l'un des plus grands impacts de la chine sur l’économie mondiale et plus particulièrement sur celle des pays en développement. Le secteur manufacturier africain se limite à quelques productions traditionnelles. Même si, à certaines périodes et dans certains secteurs, les exportations africaines ont bénéficié de traitements préférentiels, l’Afrique s’est avérée particulièrement vulnérable à la menace compétitive exercée par la Chine sur les marchés tiers, y compris sur d’autres marchés africains. En effet, avec l’intensification des relations économiques, la Chine a commencé à inonder les marchés africains avec des produits manufacturés à bas coûts, souvent au détriment des producteurs locaux. De surcroît, aux Etats Unis et en Europe, principaux partenaires des pays africains, les produits chinois sont aussi susceptibles d’évincer des produits manufacturés africains bon marché. Nous mesurons l’impact indirect de la concurrence chinoise sur les exportations africaines. En utilisant des données désagrégées sur la période 1995–2005, nous mettons en évidence l’effet de déplacement au niveau des secteurs, des produits, des régions et des marchés.European Journal of Development Research (2009) 21, 506–530. doi:10.1057/ejdr.2009.20

China's Private Enterprises in Africa and the Implications for African Development

Cet article évalue la part croissante du secteur privé chinois en Afrique. Actuellement l’attention se porte sur les entreprises publiques chinoises qui investissent dans le secteur minier et peu d’intérêt est accordé aux entreprises du secteur privé. Cette étude comble ce manque en évaluant les caractéristiques et les motivations des entreprises privées chinoises et leurs impacts sur le développement. Les principaux résultats montrent que les entreprises privées chinoises suivent leur propre voie et les facteurs déterminant l’investissement privé sont les opportunités offertes par les marchés africains, la concurrence intra-chinoise et un fort esprit d’entreprise. Il manque un mécanisme efficace qui pourrait relier la politique africaine de la Chine et sa mise en oeuvre par l’intermédiaire de l’engagement du secteur privé chinois. Afin de maximiser les gains en termes de développement, une approche des relations chinoises publiques-privées qui soit « top-down » et « bottom-up » et fondée sur la réciprocité est nécessaire. Il s’agit d’un processus d’apprentissage mutuel pour les relations publiques-privées chinoises ainsi que pour les relations Chine-Afrique. Ce sont des relations fluides qui se forment et s’adaptent l’une à l’autre.European Journal of Development Research (2009) 21, 570–587. doi:10.1057/ejdr.2009.21