DOHA SCENARIOS, TRADE REFORMS, AND POVERTY IN THE PHILIPPINES: A COMPUTABLE GENERAL EQUILIBRIUM ANALYIS. By Caesar B. Cororaton, John Cockburn and Erwin Corong. World Bank Policy Research Working Paper, October 2005. Since the early 1980s the Philippines has undertaken substantial trade reform. The authors of this paper expect that the current Doha Round of WTO negotiations will bring further reform and shocks to world import prices and export demand. The impact of all these developments on the poor is not very clear and is the subject of intense debate. The authors use a detailed economy-wide computable general equilibrium (CGE) model to run a series of policy experiments and find that poverty increases slightly with the implementation of the prospective Doha scenario. Available online at http://econ.worldbank.org/external/default/main?pagePK=64165259&piPK=64165421&theSitePK=469372&menuPK=64166093&entityID=000016406_20050930154415.
TRADE POLICY AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT: LEARNING FROM THE ASIA-PACIFIC. By the United Nations Development Programme Regional Centre in Colombo (UNDP RCC), September 2005. This paper draws on the experiences from the Asia-Pacific region to discuss the links between international trade, economic growth and human development. The paper highlights the role of trade in the establishment of material progress in the region and the human development impacts that have emerged as a result of the interaction between trade and economic growth. Areas that are explored in this discussion include the temporary movement of labour, agricultural subsidies, access to energy and health services, bilateral and regional trade agreements, and technological upgrading and innovation. For information contact the UNDP RCC at rcc.request.lk@undp.org.
WHO’S RICHER, WHO’S POORER? A JOURNALIST’S GUIDE TO THE POLITICS OF POVERTY REDUCTION STRATEGIES. By the Panos Institute. London, 2005. This paper is the first in a series of briefing documents for journalists on poverty reduction strategies, and is published in the run up to the WTO’s 13-18 December Ministerial Conference in Hong Kong. The Panos Institute is working with the media to stimulate inclusive public debate on whether, and how, poverty reduction strategy papers (PRSPs) can tackle poverty. This brief is part of a Panos project, "Raising Debate: Transparency and Ownership in Poverty Reduction Strategies", which aims to strengthen communication and dialogue about poverty and strategies to address poverty, particularly the PRSPs. Available online at http://www.panos.org.uk/files/prsptoolkit1.pdf.
TRADE AND STRUCTURAL ADJUSTMENT. By the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), 2005. This paper identifies the requirements for successful trade-related structural adjustment in both developed and developing countries, via the reallocation of labour and capital to more efficient uses, while limiting adjustment costs for individuals, communities and society as a whole. It is based on a longer study that incorporates detailed sectoral case studies. A number of elements of a policy framework are found to be applicable across different countries. The paper finds that poorest countries, in particular, should focus on building sound institutions, fostering an appropriate macroeconomic framework and removing any anti-export bias, improving firms’ access to finance and infrastructure, enforcing core workers’ rights and developing human capital and reducing their own, often high, barriers to trade. Available online at http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/58/40/34753254.pdf.
REMITTANCES: DEVELOPMENT IMPACTS AND FUTURE PROSPECTS. Edited by Samuel Munzele Maimbo, and Dilip Ratha. World Bank, 2005. This publication explores policy options for enhancing the poverty alleviation impact of remittance money in recipient countries, and addresses concerns about increasing migration and inequality. It looks at new technologies that allow remittance service providers to reduce direct transaction costs and open new channels, enhancing convenience for remitters and improving levels of transparency and accountability for regulators and policy makers. The book also establishes a baseline for further research and collaborative efforts, showing the areas where international financial institutions, particularly the World Bank, can add value to enhance the positive impact of remittance flows and minimise less welcome effects. For further information visit http://publications.worldbank.org/ecommerce/catalog/product?item_id=2434711.