Abstract:Despite concurrent opinions about Egypt’s employment problems, practical remedies are in short supply. The purpose of this essay is to reflect on current conditions in Egypt’s labor market and to examine a number of existing opportunities to exploit in favor of a new and innovative path for growth and development.This paper outlines seven accepted propositions […]
Abstract:Since the early 1990s, Egypt has experienced rapid and substantial aggravation of the unemployment problem. And despite consensus about the adverse economic, social and political implications of this problem, the present study starts from the premise that the real danger of unemployment lies in the fact that it reflects low and inefficient levels of investment […]
Abstract:Although Egypt has made substantial progress with respect to access to education, the education system is not providing markets with the quantity and quality of educated individuals most in demand. This paper addresses this paradox as an economics phenomenon and suggests that education reform should go beyond building schools, training teachers and improving curriculum. The […]
Abstract:Despite repeated attempts at regional integration for half a century, Arab economic relations remain limited and compare unfavorably with other regional blocks. This paper attempts to identify the objective reasons for the slow progress on Arab integration in the past, with a view to offering suggestions for a better future.It shows that a lack of […]
Abstract: This paper analyzes Egypt’s experience in introducing private participation in airport activity, highlighting its strengths and weaknesses in light of international experiences. The study reviews airport privatization trends in developed and developing countries, the main methods of financing, and the changing role of the state in this activity. More importantly, the paper reviews the […]
Abstract:This paper discusses alternative policy options for dealing with the large variability in world cotton prices. It also evaluates the current price guarantee scheme in Egypt in terms of its impact on farmers, traders, the treasury and the economy at large. It concludes that Egypt is better off at this stage continuing with and reforming […]
Utility Regulation Versus BOT Schemes: An Assessment of Electricity Sector Reforms in Arab Countries
Abstract:This paper assesses two alternative approaches to private sector engagement in utilities, namely the Build Operate Transfer (BOT) and sector-wide reforms. The assessment draws on the new theory of regulatory contracts. The paper first evaluates the two approaches in terms of their effectiveness in dealing with the problems of information asymmetry, incentive compatibility and commitment. […]
Abstract:The aim of competition policy is to promote free and fair competition, to increase efficiency and productivity in the economy and promote enhanced consumer welfare. This paper provides an overview of the rationale and justification for having a competition regime, using the Australian experience as an example of how to implement and administer an effective […]
Abstract:This paper describes the recent evolution of macroeconomic policies in Egypt and derives a simple model (within an IS-LM framework) showing that, until the mid 1990s, the presence of liability dollarization and high passthrough from exchange rate to prices may have limited Egypt’s ability to conduct an independent monetary policy. However, the paper shows that […]
Abstract:This paper attempts to explain the rationale for competition policy in an emerging economy. It reviews the theoretical debate on the issue, highlighting the claims for and against the adoption of competition policy. The paper then discusses the difficulties facing an emerging economy in formulating competition policy and explores the reasons for the reluctance in […]