Quantifying the impact of services liberalization in a developing country

The authors consider how service liberalization differs from goods liberalization in terms of welfare, the level and composition of output, and factor prices within a developing economy, in this case Tunisia. Despite recent movements toward liberalization, Tunisian service sectors remain largely closed to foreign participation and are provided at high cost relative to many developing nations. The authors develop a computable general equilibrium (CGE) model of the Tunisian economy with multiple products and services and three trading partners. They model goods liberalization as the unilateral removal of product tariffs. Restraints on services trade involve both restrictions on cross-border supply (mode 1 in the GATS) and on foreign ownership through foreign direct investment (mode 3 in the GATS). The former are modeled as tariff-equivalent price wedges while the latter are comprised of both monopoly-rent distortions (arising from imperfect competition among domestic producers) andinefficiency costs (arising from a failure of domestic service providers to adopt least-cost practices). They find that goods-trade liberalization yields a gain in aggregate welfare and reorients production toward sectors of benchmark comparative advantage. However, a reduction of services barriers in a way that permits greater competition through foreign direct investment generates larger welfare gains. Service liberalization also requires lower adjustment costs, measured in terms of sectoral movement of workers, than does goods-trade liberalization. And it tends to increase economic activity in all sectors and raise the real returns to both capital and labor. The overall welfare gains of comprehensive service liberalization amount to more than 5 percent of initial consumption. The bulk of these gains come from opening markets for finance, business services, and telecommunications. Because these are key inputs into all sectors of the economy, their liberalization cuts costs and drives larger efficiency gains overall. The results point to the potential importance of deregulating services provision for economic development.Payment Systems&Infrastructure,Environmental Economics&Policies,Decentralization,Economic Theory&Research,Banks&Banking Reform,Economic Theory&Research,Environmental Economics&Policies,TF054105-DONOR FUNDED OPERATION ADMINISTRATION FEE INCOME AND EXPENSE ACCOUNT,Health Economics&Finance,Banks&Banking Reform

FDI in the Restructuring of the Japanese Economy

This paper examines how inward and outward foreign direct investment (FDI) have influenced the restructuring of the Japanese economy and can be expected to continue to do so in the future. We find that outward investment has helped Japanese firms to sustain foreign market shares and contributed to the restructuring of the Japanese economy away from older industries. By shifting from exporting to affiliate production, there has been a geographical reallocation of the activities of Japanese firms, particularly those of multinational manufacturing firms. However, Japanese outward FDI is still not very large relative to the Japanese economy, despite the rapid growth since the mid-1980s, and there is still scope for significant increase when compared with the levels of most other OECD countries. Inward FDI will presumably have an even stronger impact on the restructuring of the Japanese economy. Although the stock of inward foreign direct investment is still very small, there are important changes under way. Deregulation has opened up much of the industrial and service sectors to foreign multinationals.

Physicochemical characteristics of kernel during fruit maturation of four coconut cultivars (Cocos nucifera L.)

Physicochemical characteristics of kernels from four cultivars of coconut were studied with the aim of increasing the value of coconut palm (Cocos nucifera L.), the main income of most equatorial coastal farmers. Studies were undertaken on West African Tall (WAT), Malaysian Yellow Dwarf (MYD), Equatorial Guinea Green Dwarf (EGD) and the improved PB121 hybrid, PB121+. Analyses were concerned with kernel weight, thickness, dry matter, oil, proteins and soluble sugars content at six stages (ranks) of nuts maturity. Chromatographic profiles of fatty acids of extracted oils were also determined. The results showed positive interaction between cultivar and maturity stage for all examined parameters. Then, PB121+ nuts, without kernel at the beginning of maturation, had the greatest weight (358.7 g) at rank 26. Kernel thickness was maximum (13.28 mm) in WAT at rank 26 due to nuts complete maturity. Oil content increased until the highest value of 73.01% in WAT at rank 23 before decreasing. Total soluble sugars, essentially non-reducing sugars, were maximum (9.09 g/100 g) in MYD fruits at rank 26. The fatty acids profiles showed an increasing proportion of lauric acid during nuts maturation. These results indicated the possibility of specific utilisations of coconut kernels according to cultivar and maturity stage

Évaluation de la sensibilité de sept clones de palmier à huile (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) à Coelaenomenodera lameensis Berti et Mariau (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae) Konan J.

Objectifs : Évaluer la sensibilité de 7 clones d’Elaeis guineensis à Coelaenomenodera lameensis (Coleoptera : Hispinae) et estimer les dégâts occasionnés par l’insecte au terme d’un cycle de développement complet sur chaque type de matériel clonal.Méthodologies et Résultats : des insectes adultes de C. lameensis ont été transposés sur des folioles de clones d’Elaeis guineensis isolés dans des manchons. L’évolution des insectes a été ensuite observée à chaque étape du cycle normal de développement de C. lameensis. Les dégâts provoqués par l’insecte ont été estimés par le rapport entre la surface de foliole attaquée et la surface totale de foliole. Les résultats ont montré que certains clones étaient moins favorables au développement de l’insecte que d’autres. Le clone LMC247, avec 53,80 % ± 2,56 de surface foliaire attaquée, a été plus sensible à l’insecte que les autres clones LMC159, LMC161, LMC022, LMC010, LMC270 et LMC291 où les dégâts observés ont été en dessous de 25%..Conclusion et Application : au regard des résultats, il ressort que le développement de C. lameensis est influencé par le type de matériel clonal. Les dégâts sur les clones testés ont été généralement de faible intensité. Cette approche expérimentale, laisse présager de bonnes perspectives pour la lutte génétique contre C. lameensis.. En effet, plus de 300 clones de palmier ont déjà été crées en Côte d’Ivoire. Un criblage élargi à l’ensemble de ce matériel va permettre d’identifier à terme des clones performants pour contrôler le ravageur, au regard de l’homogénéité de ce type de matériel végétal.Mots clés : clone, palmier à huile, lutte génétique, Coelænomenodera lameensisEvaluation of seven oil palm clones (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) sensibility to Coelaenomenodera lameensis Berti and Mariau (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae)Objective: this study aims to evaluate seven oil palm clones sensibility to Coelaenomenodera lameensis (Coleoptera: Hispinae) and to estimate the damage caused by this insect on each type of clonal material.Methods and results: adult insects of C. lameensis were transposed on Elaeis guineensis clones leaflets isolated in canvas bags. Insect evolution was observed at each stage of normal development cycle of C. lameensis. The damage caused by the insect was estimated using the ratio of the surface of leaflet attacked and the total surface of leaflet. The results showed that some clones were less favorable to the development of C. lameensis than others. The clone LMC247, with 53.80 ± 2.56% of leaf surface attacked was more susceptible to C. lameensis than the other clones LMC159, LMC161, LMC022, LMC010, LMC270 and LMC291. For these clones, the damages noted were below 25% of leaf area attacked.Conclusion and application: the results showed that C. lameensis development depended of the clones. Overall, a low intensity of damage was observed on the leaflet of the clones. This experimental approach suggests good projection for genetic control of C. lameensis with oil palm clone material. Indeed, more than 300 oil palm clones have already been established in Côte d'Ivoire. The screening of this material can help selecting performing material to control the pest due to the homogeneity of this type of plant material. Key words: clone, oil palm, genetic control, Coelænomenodera lameensi

Diatomees centriques de la lagune de Fresco Cote d’Ivoire

Un inventaire taxinomique des Diatomées centriques de la Lagune de Fresco a été réalisé de Mars 2007 à Décembre 2008, dans le but de contribuer à la connaissance de la microflore diatomique de Côte d’Ivoire. Des prélèvements ont été effectués dans 5 stations à l’aide d’un filet à plancton. Au total 40 taxons répartis en 20 genres, 12 familles, 9 ordres et 1 classe ont été identifiés avec une prédominance des taxons du genre Chaetoceros (10 taxons). La majorité des taxons (36) sont d’origine marine. Huit nouveaux taxons sont signalés pour la première fois en Côte d’Ivoire. Il s’agit des espèces Coscinodiscus marginatus, Triceratium pentacrinus, Biddulphia alternans, Terpsinoe intermedia, Chaetoceros diversus, C. pseudocrinutus, C. similis et C. subtilis.Mots clés : Diatomées centriques, Microalgue, Lagune de Fresco, Côte d’Ivoir

Laboratory study of the biology and behaviour of Diplonychus sp (Belostomatidae) and its vector competence in the transmission to humans of Mycobacterium ulcerans, the pathogen causing Buruli ulcer in Côte d’Ivoire (West Africa).

Buruli ulcer is a skin infection caused by a mycobacterium occurring in the environment, Mycobacterium ulcerans.  Ranked third in terms of number of mycobacterial infections after leprosy and tuberculosis, its epidemiology is the most poorly understood of the three. Humans are infected through the skin while performing daily living activities (e.g. rice cultivation, fish farming, fishing, laundry, fetching water, agricultural work) or leisure activities (e.g. bathing) in endemic areas. The disease is particularly prevalent in West Africa, where the number of cases is increasing annually (2442 cases in 2008). Côte d’Ivoire is the most severely affected country in the world with more than 25 000 cases since 1978. The numerous endemic foci for Buruli ulcer are scattered throughout the country. Over the past four years impressive progress has been made in researching the mode of transmission of M. ulcerans infection. Yet despite this, many questions remain unanswered. In Central and West Africa aquatic insects of the order Hemiptera appear to be involved in the transmission of Buruli ulcer.  It is likely that aquatic Hemiptera play a role.  Studies of the salivary glands of insects that have been experimentally infected and allowed to bite white mice demonstrate the probable role of water bugs as hosts or possible vectors of M. ulcerans. In addition, at least 10% of environmental biological specimens tested positive using PCR in Cameroon and Côte d’Ivoire. These pterygot insects are also able to fly from one body of water to another over varying distances, attracted by lights in houses near marshy areas. This method of displacement could account for the current progression of the disease in West Africa and particularly in Côte d’Ivoire, where it is spreading northwards from the south, west, east and centre of the country.   Buruli ulcer is not a contagious disease.  It is, however, terrifying and severely disabling.  Patients must spend long periods in hospital, treatment is costly and burdensome, and can lead to social marginalization or even total exclusion; above all, the mode of transmission is still poorly understood.  Local people must therefore be familiarized with preventive measures focusing on identification of the probable vectors of the disease in order to break the chain of transmission of M. ulcerans. This presupposes a sound knowledge of the biology, ecology and behaviour of these potential vectors. Accordingly, we have proceeded to laboratory farm the bug most commonly encountered in the environment that shows the highest rates of infection by M. ulcerans (more than 10%), namely Diplonychus sp of the family Belostomatidae. Adult specimens were collected in the vicinity of fishponds at an experimental station situated between Abidjan and Dabou (a non-endemic site) and subsequently farmed in the laboratory at the Côte d’Ivoire National Institute of Public Health. The parameters used to farm this water bug were standardized in the laboratory (water quality, depth, turbidity, pH, temperature, luminosity, suitable vegetable environment). The insects were fed regularly with mosquito larvae. The embryonic lifespan, the hatching time, the larval period and the number of larval stages prior to adulthood were studied. The adult lifespan was also estimated. Five successive generations of Diplonychus sp were obtained. From egg to adulthood, the larval lifespan is 41 days on average, with deviations from the mean of 29 to 54 days.  Hatching generally took place 7 days after egg laying.  Five larval stages are distinguishable, separated by five metamorphoses.  The lifespan of certain adults obtained in the laboratory varied between 16 and 150 days.  The last original parental specimens survived for 11 months.  Proficiency in the laboratory farming of Diplonychus sp could enable us to decode its genome and collect saliva samples, while also allowing us to perform experimental infections using human strains of M. ulcerans in order to confirm or rule out the involvement of this insect in the transmission of Buruli ulcer in Central and West Africa

Formulation D’Aliments Infantiles a Base De Farines D’Igname Enrichies Au Soja

The aim of this study was to determine factors to be taken into account in the infant flours formulated from yam and soy fermented flours. For this purpose, soybean flour (Glycine max) was fermented for 48 hours and incorporated into yam flour (Dioscorea rotundata-cayenensis, kponan and Dioscorea alata, Bête Bètè) fermented for 24 hours at different levels (0, 10, 20, 30 and 40%). Nutrient qualities of gruel of the formulations thus prepared were evaluated. Protein content increased with the rate of soy incorporated. For D. alata, protein content ranged from 6.56 ± 0.01 g / 100 g (unfermented yam flour) and 7.38 ± 0.27 01 g / 100 g (fermented yam flour) to 21.88 ± 1.09 g / 100 g of 40% soy rate incorporation. For D. cayenensis, protein content ranged from 4.81 ± 0.01 g / 100 g (unfermented yam flour) and 5.25 ± 0.43 g / 100 (fermented yam flour) to 20.92 ± 0,21 g / 100 g of 40% soy rate incorporation. Fermentation of yams and soybeans induces an increase of protein content in yam and soy based flours. Protein content in most formulated complementary foods containing soy flours were comparable to values of commercial flours (FARINOR® and SOJABEBE®). However, formulated flours were poor in calcium, iron and zinc. Calcium content of formulated yam based flours was lower than commercial one; FARINOR® (136.36mg/100kcal) and SOJABEBE® (66.88mg/100kcal). Iron densities ranged from 0,18mg/100kcal (SOJABEBE®) to 3.81mg/100 kcal (FARINOR®). The results obtained show that, swelling power and solubility decreased with the rate of soy incorporated. In addition, phenolic compounds of fortified yam based flours with soy, resulted a lower content. 30 % incorporation of soy in yam flours, owing to increase significantly yam/soy based flours enzymatic hydrolysis?. Sensory tests limited maximum level of soy to 30% and 20%. Sensory profile of yam flour fortified with fermented soybeans (30% and 20%) was determined.Key words: infant flour, yam, soy, nutritio

Quality of fermented cassava flour processed into placali

Fermented cassava flour was obtained from Yace variety. Cassava roots were washed, peeled and ground. After adding cassava inoculums at 8% (m/m), the pulp was allowed to ferment for 72 hours at ambient temperature. The fermented dough was removed, squeezed and oven-dried for 48 hours at 55 °C. The dried product was ground and sieved with a 200 μm mesh sieve. Proximate composition and the ability of fermented flour to be processed into placali appreciated by consumers were evaluated. Moisture, protein, ash, fat, total sugars and cyanide contents were low while starch, total carbohydrate and energy contents were high. Minerals like phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc were available and well-balanced. The sensory evaluation test indicated a significant difference (P<0.05) between the different placali samples in terms of visual appearance, odour, taste, texture and global appreciation. It is a clear indication that reconstitution proportion affects all the hedonic appreciations evaluated. Placali prepared from fermented cassava flour were then highly appreciated when reconstitution proportion (flour to water ratio) was within 1:3.5 and 1:3.Keywords: Proximate composition, cooking time, sensory analysis, reconstituted doug

'Candidatus phytoplasma palmicola’: a novel taxon associated with a lethal yellowing-type disease (LYD) of coconut ( Cocos nucifera L.) in Mozambique

In this study, the taxonomic position and group classification of the phytoplasma associated with a lethal yellowing-type disease (LYD) of coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) in Mozambique were addressed. Pairwise sequence similarity values based on alignment of near full-length 16SrRNA genes (1530 bp) revealed that the Mozambique coconut phytoplasma (LYDM) shared 100% identity with a comparable sequence derived from a phytoplasma strain (LDN), responsible for Awka wilt disease of coconut in Nigeria, and shared 99-99.6% identity with 16S rRNA sequences from strains associated with Cape St. Paul wilt (CSPW) disease of coconut in Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire. Similarity scores further determined the 16S rRNA gene of LYDM phytoplasma to share <97.5% sequence identity with all prior descriptions of ‘Ca. Phytoplasma’ species. Presence of unique regions in the 16S rRNA distinguished LYDM phytoplasma from all currently described ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma’ species, justifying its recognition as reference strain of a novel taxon, ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma palmicola’. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) profiles of the F2n/R2 portion (1251 bp) of the 16S rRNA gene and pattern similarity coefficient values delineated coconut LYDM phytoplasma strains from Mozambique as new members of established group 16SrXXII, subgroup A (16SrXXII-A). Similarity coefficients of 0.97 were obtained for comparisons between subgroup 16SrXXII-A strains and CSPW phytoplasmas from Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire. On this basis, CSPW phytoplasma strains were designated as members of a new subgroup, 16SrXXII-B