Oman’s economic diversification cum trade structure

In line with Oman‘s National Programme for Enhancing Economic Diversification "Tanfeedh" which has received the Royal approval and has been endorsed by the Royal Decree 1/2016, this paper attempts to analyze the potential success of economic diversification of Oman by adopting measurements of trade concentration profile as used in Pitigala (2005). Tanfeedh's mandate is to implement the ninth five-year plan (2016-2020), which calls for oil's contribution to GDP to decrease to 26 per cent. The government has chosen five sectors with which it sees its best potential, namely: manufacturing, transport and logistics, tourism, fisheries and mining. This paper investigates whether or not Oman possesses the necessary trade structure by analyzing her dynamic exports between the years 1990 to 2015. In addition, the HerfindahlHirschman concentration index is also being employed to measure trade concentration for selected years for Oman and other GCC countries as a comparison. The advantage of using these measurements at the disaggregated level is that they allow for a more in-depth analysis at the product level that could be used to gauge the prospects for the success of economic diversification. The findings of this paper provide useful information for the formulation of strategies that would enhance Oman‘s economic diversification programme "Tanfeedh". It also serves additional information as to whether it needs to realign the existing policies in order to promote a more favorable environment and sustainable development in Oman

Trade and human development in OIC countries: a panel data analysis

This study examines the relationship between trade and the OIC countries 19 social developments as measured by the Human Development Index (HDI) using the generalized method of moments (GMM) procedure in a panel data distributed lag model for the years 1980 to 2005, with a five-year increments as well as annual data from 2000 to 2009. It addresses two questions: (i) whether trade has a positive relationship with human development as reflected by longevity, educational attainment and income in the HDI measurement, and (ii) whether trade still has a positive relationship with human development, when the income component of the HDI is excluded. Comparisons are made across OIC countries based on three World Bank Classifications by Income, namely, high income, middle income and low income countries. Trade is found to have a significant positive relationship with HDI for all income categories, but insignificant relationship with non-income HDI. The finding indicates that trade is associated with human development only through income channels, and it is not associated with other components, such as longevity, literacy level and educational attainment. More of appropriate and effective public policies need to be formulated and implemented so as to achieve the desired outcomes of multi-dimensional human development in the true sense of the word

Garis panduan pelaksanaan dasar inklusif orang kurang upaya di institusi pendidikan tinggi

Garis panduan ini telah dilancarkan oleh YB Menteri Pendidikan Malaysia pada 5 September 2019. Dengan ini Kementerian mewajibkan semua IPT awan dan swasta menggunapakai garis panduan ini untuk kelestarian pelajar

The extra costs of having a disability: the case of IIUM

The information on extra costs of disability among developing countries, including Malaysia, is lacking and the issue seems neglected. As a result, an appropriate amount of monetary assistance that should be provided to the disabled community in Malaysia could not be determined. This paper undertakes a preliminary analysis of the extra costs of having a disability, by taking the staff of International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) as the sample as to calculate the extra costs of having a disability. The standard of living approach is adopted, and the extra costs are calculated by dividing the estimated coefficient of disability variables by the estimated coefficient of income. This paper analyses the extra costs among households containing one person with disabilities, and also across different severity levels, types of disability, according to gender, and residential area (i.e. urban or rural). Overall, a household containing one person with disabilities accounted 27.5 per cent out of their monthly income to fulfil disability-related needs

The association between household debt and marriage satisfaction in the context of urban household in Klang Valley, Malaysia / Yunchao Cai … [et al.]

By using the data collected from urban households in Klang Valley, Malaysia, this study tries to provide empirical evidence on the effect of household debt on married Malaysian couples on their marital satisfaction. This study wishes to extend the implications of household debt in Malaysia beyond economic concern per se. We found that household debt does have a negative association with marriage satisfaction for married couples in Klang Valley Malaysia. Such relationship is valid even financial wellness and other demographic variables are controlled. Moreover, the less secured personal debt shows a significant negative relationship with the couple’s marriage satisfaction compared with no evidence on the impact of housing loan

Economic integration among ASEAN countries: evidence from gravity model

This study aims at investigating whether intra-ASEAN trade is trade creating (higher trade with efficient members) or trade diverting (higher trade with inefficient members) for both inter-industry and intra-industry trade. Since integration efforts within ASEAN had to be geared toward “open regionalism”, factors that affect trade, both inter-industry as well as intra-industry trade at the sectoral level are also identified. The study adopts the extended gravity model at the total as well as the disaggregated level using the one-digit Standard International Trade Classification (SITC) Revision 2. Trade creation is found to be present for total exports, for beverages & tobacco (SITC 1), chemicals & materials (SITC 5),machinery & transport equipment (SITC 7),and miscellaneous manufactures (SITC 8). Income levels, transportation costs as well as level of development have significant effects on total trade as well as most sectors. Relative development affects only food & live animals (SITC 0), crude materials (SITC 2), chemicals & materials (SITC 5), and manufactured goods (SITC 6). Factor endowments are important determinants of total trade as well as trade in animal & vegetable fat (SITC 4), chemicals & materials SITC 5), machinery & transport equipment (SITC7), and miscellaneous manufactures (SITC 8).Tariffs do not seem to have any effect on trade except for the animal & vegetable fat sector (SITC 4), while exchange rate risk affects only beverages & tobacco (SITC 1), minerals & fuels (SITC 3), machinery & transport equipment (SITC 7), and miscellaneous manufactures (SITC 8). Based on the findings, in general, policies that promote growth and development in the region should be maintained. In addition, measures need to be undertaken to ensure low transportation costs that include improving both the physical infrastructure and the efficiency of transportation systems. Since tariffs are no longer much of an issue to promote trade, emphasis should be placed on other factors that may affect export demand such as product development to improve the quality of exports and to meet the preferences of importing countries

Potential impact of trips-plus provisions on Malaysia’s domestic pharmaceutical industry

Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) which is now known as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement on Trans Pacific Partnership (CP-TPP) opens door of opportunities as well as challenges to Malaysia. The agreement has become subject of heated debate in Malaysia as well as other countries due to the reason that it may bring some new elements which are not in the other earlier Free Trade Agreements (FTA) on which Malaysia has signed. One of the key concern is the possibility of including WTO-Plus commitments in the agreement which is TRIPS-Plus element which may affect access to medicine and the local pharmaceutical industry. This study focuses on one issue that is on the potential impact of TRIPS-Plus provisions in the intellectual property chapter on Malaysia’s pharmaceutical domestic industry sales. In assessing the potential impact of the TPPA on Malaysia’s pharmaceutical industry, simulation exercise using Model of Impact Changes in Intellectual Property Rights have been undertaken. The finding of the study indicates that domestic pharmaceutical industry sales may drop if data exclusivity, patent term restoration and patent linkage is being implemented

Measuring Maqasid Al-Shariah ata Micro Level with Special Reference to the Preservation of Wealth

Background - The Islamic concept of development offers a holistic, balanced and sustained improvement in material and non-material well-being with high moral standards and values. However, there is a lack of consensus among Islamic economists on how this kind of development should be measured. Instead of using prevailing conventional measurement, Muslim ummah need to have their own measurement which incorporates both material and non-material dimensions of human life. Purpose – This recent study attempts to take part in constructing development measurement with special reference to the preservation of wealth (المال Ø­Ùظ). The proposed indicators will differ with that of the conventional. Spiritual and moral considerations based on Islamic values provide underlying foundation and proper direction for this measurement. Research Method - This study involves three steps in constructing the measurement: (1) defining the concept of preservation of wealth; (2) determining the dimensions of the preservation of wealth; and (3) determining the indicators of each dimension. The study is constructed based on Islamic teachings as reflected in the Qur’an and the tradition of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Significance and Originality - The study contributed in assessing the state of wellbeing of Muslim ummah especially in terms of preservation of wealth at a micro level (household and individual level) in a more comprehensive way. It does not only talk about the acquisition and ownership of wealth, but also pay attention to the preservation from any harm and circulation of wealth among society. The prohibition of unjust earning and wastefulness, the order to perform social responsibilities such as zakat and sadaqat are among important features of this measurement which are not considered in the conventional approach