Economic Effects of the EU External Aviation Policy

This report investigates the economic effects of EU’s external aviation policy with third countries. In particular, focusing on 27 countries with which the EU has an Air Services Agreement (ASA) of varying degree of liberalization, we assessed changes in fare, flight frequency and capacity utilization. We find that the implementation of the EU external aviation policy results in lower fare levels and higher load factors (capacity utilization). The effect of the policy on frequency, however, is not statistically significant. Our findings suggest that further liberalization can lead to more benefits to consumers.JRC.C.6-Economics of Climate Change, Energy and Transpor

A dynamic model of transmission and elimination of peste des petits ruminants in Ethiopia

Peste des petits ruminants (PPR), a devastating viral disease of sheep and goats, has been targeted by the global community for eradication within the next 15 years. Although an efficacious attenuated live vaccine is available, the lack of knowledge about the transmission potential of PPR virus (PPRV) may compromise eradication efforts. By fitting a metapopulation model simulating PPRV spread to the results of a nationwide serological survey in Ethiopia, we estimated the level of viral transmission in an endemic setting and the vaccination coverage required for elimination. Results suggest that the pastoral production system as a whole acts as a viral reservoir, from which PPRV spills over into the sedentary production system, where viral persistence is uncertain. Estimated levels of PPRV transmission indicate that viral spread could be prevented if the proportion of immune small ruminants is kept permanently above 37% in at least 71% of pastoral village populations. However, due to the high turnover of these populations, maintaining the fraction of immune animals above this threshold would require high vaccine coverage within villages, and vaccination campaigns to be conducted annually. Adapting vaccination strategies to the specific characteristics of the local epidemiological context and small ruminant population dynamics would result in optimized allocation of limited resources and increase the likelihood of PPR eradication

State Owned Enterprises and Public Finances in Developing Countries: The Impact of Economic and Health-related Crises

The Impact of Economic and Health-related Crises State-owned Enterprises (SOEs) are important actors in both developing and developed economies. This helpdesk report examines the scope, size and role of SoEs in developing countries, the impact (in terms of costs, profits, debts / contingent liabilities) of economic and health-related crises (including COVID-19) on state owned enterprises and public finances in developing countries. SOEs are often clustered in essential and strategic sectors. In many developing countries, SOEs play an important role in supplying basic services such as electricity, water, telecommunications, and other public utilities. After and during major crises, developing economies tend to resort to state intervention policies to achieve desired outcomes of public interest. Historically, SOEs have been called upon as producers and suppliers of emergency supplies. Some SOEs are themselves likely to face significant financial distress during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, forcing governments to provide support.FCDO (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

Student’s Attitude & Motivation Towards English Language Learning: English Major Students at Dire Dawa University in Focus

The aim of this study was to explore English major Students attitude and motivation towards English language learning. The study is descriptive and aimed to describe the existing students’ attitude and motivation towards English language learning. The participants of study were all 1st, 2nd & 3rd year English major students at Dire Dawa University. In order to get the intended data, 35 close ended attitude questions were developed and filled by 51 English major students. The reliability of developed questions to all variables were  evaluated by using Cronbach's Alpha and the obtained result marks a good reliability consistence which is greater than 0.7 The administered questionnaire was a five point Likert –scale attitude questions which was targeted to obtain English major students attitude and motivation toward English language learning. The obtained data was analyzed quantitatively using SPSS that contains descriptive statistics such as mean scores and standard deviations. Based on respondents’ response, the result of the study revealed that students have positive attitude towards English language in general and English language learning in particular. Moreover, the obtained result also depicted that respondents have positive outlook on English language teachers and the activities students are given to interact with in classroom. In addition, the subjects’ responses revealed that they are instrumentally motivated to learn English language. Finally, the researcher would like to recommend that teaching is not getting in front of the class; teachers’ needs to be doing more to get students in taking an active role in their learning. Moreover, a teacher shouldn’t spend much time to talk rather let students to interact with the activities.  In order to grasp the intended knowledge and skills, a student has to develop interest towards the target language. In doing so, a teacher has to play an important role in bringing a desirable attitude and motivation in teaching and learning process. Keywords: Attitude, Motivation, English Major Student

Ectoparasitic Burden of Camels under Pastoral Management in Southern Ethiopia

Camels are suffering from wide range of diseases of which external parasites are the most common ones. Three seasonal surveys were carried out in Borana areas to investigate the external parasitic burden among 1227 camels. Results showed that mange mite (35.4%) and ticks (66.4%) were widely prevalent among the study camels. Sarcoptes mange identified from skin scrapings was found to be responsible for camel skin infestation. A total of 1164 ticks were collected and six tick species were identified. Rhipicephalus pulchellus was the most prevalent species (77.5%) followed by Amblyoma gemma (12.6%), Hyaloma dromedarii (4.3%), R. evertsi (3.6%), A. variegatum (1.5%) and A. lepidum (0.4%). Mange mite was more prevalent during the dry season, in young and male camels, camels owned by Gabra, and large herds compared to their counter parts. There was also a significant association between poor body condition and mange mite occurrence. Tick infestations were higher during minor wet season (82.3%) compared to dry season (58.4%). Higher prevalence of tick infestations were recorded for Borana herds, older and female camels compared to Gabra and young camels. Animals in poor body condition were more infested with ticks than those in good body conditions. High prevalence of mange mite and tick infestation among the study camels indicates inadequate ecto-parasite control in the area. Hence, mange mite and ticks are destructive parasites that hinder productivity of camels and require effective control measures

Determinants of Sectoral Private Investment in Ethiopia: Panel Data Analysis

Investment is a key to economic growth. While there are number of studies on determinants of private investment in Ethiopia, sectoral level studies are largely neglected. Yet understanding the diversification in Ethiopian sectoral private investment is important as they economy remains agrigarian. For this purpose, we investigate the determinants of private investment in six Ethiopian economic sectors for the period of 1992-2015. The study utilizes a flexible accelerator model of investment. The estimation technique was based on Panel Corrected Standard Error (PCSE) estimation model over other techniques because of cross sectional dependency, heteroskedasticity and serial correlation problem in our data. To account for global business cycle, we have controlled for time fixed effects. We have also accounted for sectoral heterogeneity by incorporating sectoral fixed effects. We find that that trade policy has positive effect on private investment flows in all the sectors of the economy while higher external debt and inflation have negative effects. Therefore, further trade liberalization, reducing external debt, and moderating inflation would attract private investment activities in the sectors. Keywords: sectoral private investment; sectoral fixed effect; flexible accelerator; PCS