BRAC: Targeting Extreme Poverty: Programme Components
Economist: The Path Through the Fields
Guardian: Bangladesh’s Brac Receives Large Aid Boost form UK and Australia
Guardian: Growing Discontent
UNDP: Social Safety Net Programmes in Bangladesh
WB: Bangladesh
WB: Towards Accelerated, Inclusive and Sustainable Growth in Bangladesh
Bangladesh has made significant gains in the areas of education, health, and poverty reduction since its independence from Pakistan in 1971. Bangladeshis’ life expectancy increased from 59 years in 1990 to 69 years in 2010. Women’s life expectancy is two years longer than men’s. The country has cut its infant mortality rate by more than half from 1990 to 2010. Female enrollment in primary school increased from 45% in 2000 to 90% in 2005, which surpassed the primary school enrollment rate for boys. In addition, the poverty rate decreased between 2000 and 2010 from 49% to 32%. Part of these gains may be attributable to faster gross domestic product (GDP) growth in recent years—it has increased from around 3% in the 1970s to above 6% since 2004—but many of these gains are due to progressive government policies and strong non-governmental organization (NGO) involvement. The Bangladesh Rehabilitation Assistance Committee (BRAC) is one NGO, in particular, that has done much in the way of social spending.
One of the ways that Bangladesh’s government has helped achieve these gains is by providing free birth control and advising women about family planning. Today, more than 60% of women use birth control, compared to just 8% in 1975. Moreover, the average number of children each Bangladeshi woman gives birth to during her life has declined from 6.3 in 1975 to 2.3 today. The government has also dedicated about 12% of public spending to social programs designed to help the poor, such as food for work, cash for work, conditional cash transfer (money that is conditional upon school attendance, for example), and programs that give food and necessities to certain vulnerable households without conditions attached to the aid. However, government expenditures on education and health are lower than average among lower income countries, and the country’s safety nets are not able to reach many needy families. Thus, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) play a critical role in Bangladesh’s human development.
BRAC is one NGO that has played such a role. For example, BRAC, along with Grameen Bank, brought microcredit (small loans made to the poor) to Bangladesh, and today, the organization has loaned $725 million to five million borrowers. For those people that are too poor to truly benefit from a microloan, BRAC has created a program whereby it gives people income-producing assets such as livestock or crops (these assets produce food that people can feed themselves with as well as sell for a profit), and a monthly stipend, and then monitors the aid recipients for two years to help them become self-sufficient. In addition, BRAC operates a system of primary schools that provides an alternative to the state-run system and teaches about 1.5 million children each year. It also provides medical services to over 100 million people each year.
Despite the extensive role that BRAC has played and continues to play in Bangladesh’s development, some criticize the organization for assuming the role of a government, but without any accountability. For example, farmers have accused BRAC of marketing hybrid rice and corn seeds to them by misstating production costs and crop yields. The leader of one group that is critical of the practice of promoting hybrid seeds claims that hybrid crop production is responsible for depleting underground water sources, contaminating drinking water, and intensifying desertification in the northern part of the country. BRAC argues, however, that these hybrid seeds are more profitable for farmers than traditional crop strains. This problem demonstrates one of the many trade-offs that can accompany every country’s path to development and the difficulties that heavy NGO involvement can cause.
Thursday, January 03, 2013
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Corruption in Italy Threatens the Efficacy of Fiscal Stimulus
Sources:
The Telegraph (U.K.):
Making a killing on contracts: how Italy's Mafia has plundered EU building funds
Mafia led corruption continues to plague Southern Italy,
leading to government inefficiency and a reduction in the efficacy of domestic
and international infrastructural spending.
Calabria,
the region located in Italy’s Southern peninsula is dominated by the
‘Ndrangheta, an international crime syndicate. The ‘Ndrangheta has an annual
income of €44 billion from a combination of drug smuggling, extortion,
and public-sector graft, and while lesser know than its peers
in Sicily or Naples, the ‘Ndrangheta’s reputation has increased greatly over
the past decade.
The
‘Ndrangheta plays a major role in public sector life in Calabria. On October 9,
the provincial capital of Calabria, Reggio Calabria, dismissed all 30 members
of the City Council and the mayor for suspected ties to the ‘Ndrangheta. The move, which Italian Interior
Minister Annamaria Cancelleri said was designed to prevent “mafia contagion,”
came after months of criminal investigation.
Since
2007, over €3 billion has gone from the EU to Calabria, much of that for
infrastructure projects, much of that to the ‘Ndrangheta. While the EU has been able to
recover €383
million appropriated to the A3, the potential for future fraud and
mismanagement remains high. “The ‘Ndrangheta is like an octopus,” said
anti-mafia magistrate Roberto di Palma, “whenever there is money, you will find
its tentacles.”
The
revelations into the corruption scandals come as the European Commission pushes
for a 6.8 percent increase in its annual budget, much of that money going
towards funding infrastructural projects in Southern and Eastern Europe. The A3
highways symbolizes a fear for many northern European countries that the
Eurozone will develop into a welfare state where fiscal stimulus is misspent or
lost to graft at taxpayers expense. While infrastructure spending can have
enormous benefit, a challenge for the EU will be increasing oversight and
accountability as they continue to fund infrastructural projects.
Friday, November 30, 2012
Lithuania Seeks Alternative Natural Gas Sources to Reduce its Energy Dependence on Russia
Business Recorder: Lithuania Sues Russian Gas Giant Gazprom
FT: CEE Nuclear Power: Deeper in Doubt
NYT: Chevron, Intent on European Shale Gas, Buys Lithuanian Stake
Reuters: Chevron to Prospect for Shale Gas in Lithuania
Reuters: Lithuania Gets 16 Proposals to Supply LNG
Reuters: Lithuania Terminal Calls LNG Supply Tender
SF Chronicle: Lithuanians Deal Blow to Austerity, Nuclear Plans
WSJ: Chevron Enters Lithuanian Oil and Gas Exploration
To reduce its energy dependence on Russia, Lithuania is encouraging private companies to explore for shale gas (a type of natural gas) and actively seeking new liquefied natural gas (LNG) suppliers. Lithuania imports over 60% of its total electricity needs, more than any other European Union (EU) country. In 2009, Lithuania shut down its only atomic power plant, which was built when the country was part of the Soviet Union, due to safety concerns. To make up for this loss of energy, Lithuania began importing more natural gas from Gazprom, a Russian gas company. These imports totaled 3.4 billion cubic meters (bcm) in 2011, or 100% of Lithuania’s natural gas consumption. Countries completely dependent on Gazprom for natural gas have experienced problems in the past. For example, in the winter of 2009, the Ukrainian government entered into a pricing dispute with Gazprom. As a result, Gazprom cut off the country’s gas supply for three weeks leaving hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians without heat. This is why the Lithuanian government recently made energy independence a priority for the country.
According to Lithuania’s Prime Minister, Andrius Kubilius, Lithuania has 120 bcm of underground shale gas reserves that could be recovered through specialized extraction methods. In order to access the reserves and reduce its dependence on Gazprom, the Lithuanian government has been auctioning off shale gas exploration licenses to private companies. In May 2012, Minijos Nafta, a Lithuanian oil exploration company, began drilling wells in its license area around Gargzdai. In October 2012, Chevron, the second largest U.S. oil company, announced it was purchasing a 50% stake in LL Investicijos, a privately owned Lithuanian oil and gas exploration company. Investicijos holds a license to prospect for gas on a 2,400 square kilometer field near the town of Rietavas. According to Derek Magness, Chevron’s Director General of onshore European operations, the company believes Lithuania’s government will welcome Chevron’s involvement due to its desire to break free from Gazprom. Prime Minister Kubilius described Chevron’s investment as a “good sign,” and the Ministry of the Environment announced plans to auction off two more licenses to shale gas areas in 2012.
The Lithuanian government has also attempted to find new suppliers of LNG to reduce its dependence on Russia. Klaipedos Nafta, a state-owned operator of oil terminals (facilities for storing natural gas), is opening a new LNG storage unit in 2014 that it expects will distribute up to 4 bcm of natural gas to Lithuania each year. In October 2012, Klaipedos Nafta received bids from 16 companies offering to supply LNG to the new storage facility. Rokas Masiulis, Klaipedos Nafta’s Chief Executive, said the number of bids received was “unexpectedly high” and would help put an end to Lithuania’s dependence on a single gas supply source. The bids came from companies all over the world, including the U.S., Qatar, and Norway. Klaipedos Nafta hopes to sign one of these non-Russian companies to a ten year supply contract for 0.75 bcm of natural gas per year. In addition, Klaipedos Nafta entered negotiations with Cheniere Energy, an energy company based in the U.S., to purchase LNG in the spot markets (purchase of gas for immediate delivery at current market prices) beginning in late 2015.
The Lithuanian government’s efforts to reduce dependence on Russian natural gas are coming at a critical time for the country. In October 2012, Lithuania filed an international lawsuit against Gazprom seeking approximately $1.9 billion in damages. Lithuania alleged that Gazprom abused its market clout to increase Lithuanian gas prices almost 500% from $84 per cubic meter of gas in 2004 to $497 in 2012. Lithuania’s Prime Minister hopes Gazprom will ultimately agree to a settlement involving more favorable gas prices, but warned the lawsuit could drag on for several years if no settlement is reached. Although Gazprom angrily contested the lawsuit’s allegations, the Lithuanian government’s continued efforts at energy independence may provide a powerful economic incentive for the company to reach a settlement.
FT: CEE Nuclear Power: Deeper in Doubt
NYT: Chevron, Intent on European Shale Gas, Buys Lithuanian Stake
Reuters: Chevron to Prospect for Shale Gas in Lithuania
Reuters: Lithuania Gets 16 Proposals to Supply LNG
Reuters: Lithuania Terminal Calls LNG Supply Tender
SF Chronicle: Lithuanians Deal Blow to Austerity, Nuclear Plans
WSJ: Chevron Enters Lithuanian Oil and Gas Exploration
To reduce its energy dependence on Russia, Lithuania is encouraging private companies to explore for shale gas (a type of natural gas) and actively seeking new liquefied natural gas (LNG) suppliers. Lithuania imports over 60% of its total electricity needs, more than any other European Union (EU) country. In 2009, Lithuania shut down its only atomic power plant, which was built when the country was part of the Soviet Union, due to safety concerns. To make up for this loss of energy, Lithuania began importing more natural gas from Gazprom, a Russian gas company. These imports totaled 3.4 billion cubic meters (bcm) in 2011, or 100% of Lithuania’s natural gas consumption. Countries completely dependent on Gazprom for natural gas have experienced problems in the past. For example, in the winter of 2009, the Ukrainian government entered into a pricing dispute with Gazprom. As a result, Gazprom cut off the country’s gas supply for three weeks leaving hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians without heat. This is why the Lithuanian government recently made energy independence a priority for the country.
According to Lithuania’s Prime Minister, Andrius Kubilius, Lithuania has 120 bcm of underground shale gas reserves that could be recovered through specialized extraction methods. In order to access the reserves and reduce its dependence on Gazprom, the Lithuanian government has been auctioning off shale gas exploration licenses to private companies. In May 2012, Minijos Nafta, a Lithuanian oil exploration company, began drilling wells in its license area around Gargzdai. In October 2012, Chevron, the second largest U.S. oil company, announced it was purchasing a 50% stake in LL Investicijos, a privately owned Lithuanian oil and gas exploration company. Investicijos holds a license to prospect for gas on a 2,400 square kilometer field near the town of Rietavas. According to Derek Magness, Chevron’s Director General of onshore European operations, the company believes Lithuania’s government will welcome Chevron’s involvement due to its desire to break free from Gazprom. Prime Minister Kubilius described Chevron’s investment as a “good sign,” and the Ministry of the Environment announced plans to auction off two more licenses to shale gas areas in 2012.
The Lithuanian government has also attempted to find new suppliers of LNG to reduce its dependence on Russia. Klaipedos Nafta, a state-owned operator of oil terminals (facilities for storing natural gas), is opening a new LNG storage unit in 2014 that it expects will distribute up to 4 bcm of natural gas to Lithuania each year. In October 2012, Klaipedos Nafta received bids from 16 companies offering to supply LNG to the new storage facility. Rokas Masiulis, Klaipedos Nafta’s Chief Executive, said the number of bids received was “unexpectedly high” and would help put an end to Lithuania’s dependence on a single gas supply source. The bids came from companies all over the world, including the U.S., Qatar, and Norway. Klaipedos Nafta hopes to sign one of these non-Russian companies to a ten year supply contract for 0.75 bcm of natural gas per year. In addition, Klaipedos Nafta entered negotiations with Cheniere Energy, an energy company based in the U.S., to purchase LNG in the spot markets (purchase of gas for immediate delivery at current market prices) beginning in late 2015.
The Lithuanian government’s efforts to reduce dependence on Russian natural gas are coming at a critical time for the country. In October 2012, Lithuania filed an international lawsuit against Gazprom seeking approximately $1.9 billion in damages. Lithuania alleged that Gazprom abused its market clout to increase Lithuanian gas prices almost 500% from $84 per cubic meter of gas in 2004 to $497 in 2012. Lithuania’s Prime Minister hopes Gazprom will ultimately agree to a settlement involving more favorable gas prices, but warned the lawsuit could drag on for several years if no settlement is reached. Although Gazprom angrily contested the lawsuit’s allegations, the Lithuanian government’s continued efforts at energy independence may provide a powerful economic incentive for the company to reach a settlement.
Labels:
Europe,
European Union,
Lithuania,
Natural Resources,
Russia
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Despite a Recent Rise in Inflation, Mexico’s Central Bank Keeps Its Interest Rate Unchanged
Inflation—a general rise in the price levels of goods and
services, which causes a decrease in the purchasing power of money—has become a
concern for Mexico. One of the main tools to stop rising inflation is to
increase the country’s interest rate. A higher interest rate increases the cost
of borrowing, which decreases the amount of money in the economy. When there is
less money, consumers tend to spend less and demand less goods and services,
which lowers the price level of those goods and services, and, thus, lowers
inflation. However, Mexico currently does not want to increase interest rates because
the country wants to stimulate growth in its economy—a low interest rate
stimulates investment, which helps boost the economy. Mexico’s central bank
must balance the concern of controlling inflation with its attempts to stimulate
the economy.
According to the central bank, the targeted range for
inflation in Mexico is between 2% and 4%. The inflation rate has been outside
this range since May 2012, when the rate began to rise (3.41% in April 2012 to
3.85% in May 2012). The inflation rate continued to rise until October 2012,
when the rate fell from 4.77% in September 2012 to 4.64% in October 2012. Due
to this recent inflation shock, the central bank considered increasing the
interest rate. However, on October 26, 2012, the central bank’s Governor
Augustin Carstens announced that the interest rate would remain at 4.5%.
The central bank’s decision to keep the interest rate
unchanged reflects its view that the inflation shock is temporary, as the
pressures causing the inflation rate to rise are short-term. The recent drought
and outbreak of bird flu decreased the food supply, which caused price levels
to increase, especially for eggs and chicken. Mexico also has a low unemployment
rate, which recently hit pre-recession levels—4.68% in September 2012. Since
more people are employed, they have more money to spend, which increases demand
and, thus, price levels. But, this drop is potentially short-term because the
rate quickly began to increase in October 2012 (4.83%). Moreover, these
inflationary pressures are counter-balanced by the recent quantitative easing
policies of the United States (injecting new money into the economy), which
will cause the peso to appreciate versus the dollar and result in cheaper
imports. Economists also predict slower growth in the Mexican economy: between
3.5% and 4% in the second half of 2012, compared to the 4.3% growth in the
first half of 2012. Slower growth leads to decreased demand, which keeps prices
down.
The Mexican central bank kept the interest rate unchanged
because the need to boost the slowing economy outweighed the need to control
the temporary rise in inflation. Economists predict that the decrease in
economic growth in the second half of 2012 will continue in 2013, as growth
will drop to 3.3%. Economic growth is important because it generally improves
the population’s standard of living and reduces poverty. Despite the need to
stimulate economic growth, Governor Carstens reaffirmed the central bank’s
commitment to lowering inflation into its targeted range and warned that the
central bank would increase the interest rate if the inflation shock persists.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)