Asif M. Islam's Books

Jobs Undone

Reshaping the Role of Governments toward Markets and Workers in the Middle East and North Africa

By: Asif M. Islam,Dalal Moosa,Federica Saliola

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Jobs Undone

Reshaping the Role of Governments toward Markets and Workers in the Middle East and North Africa

By: Asif M. Islam,Dalal Moosa,Federica Saliola

A decade since the spark of the Arab Spring, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region continues to suffer from limited creation of more and better jobs. Youth face idleness and unemployment. For those who find jobs, informality awaits. Few women attempt to enter the world of work at all. Meanwhile, the available jobs are not those of the future. These labor market outcomes are being worsened by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. 'Jobs Undone: Reshaping the Role of Governments toward Markets and Workers in the Middle East and North Africa' explores ways to break these impasses, drawing on original research, survey data, wide-ranging literature, and young entrepreneurial voices from the region. The report finds that a prominent reason behind MENA's unmet jobs challenge is a lack of market contestability in the formal private sector. Few firms in the region enter the market, few grow, and those that exit are not necessarily less productive. Moreover, firms in the region invest little in physical capital, human capital, or research and development, and they tend to be politically connected. At the macro level, economic growth has been mediocre, labor productivity is not being driven by structural change, and the growth of the stock of capital per capita has declined. New evidence generated for this report shows that the lack of dynamism is due to the prevalence of state-owned enterprises (SOEs). They operate in sectors where there is little economic rationale for public activity and they enjoy favorable treatment--flouting the principles of competitive neutrality. Meanwhile, labor regulations add to market rigidity, while gendered laws restrict women's potential. To change this reality, the state must reshape its relationship toward markets, toward workers, and toward women. The region must create a level playing field between SOEs and the private sector, replace labor rigidities with appropriate social protection and labor market programs, and remove barriers to women's economic participation. Governments can also foster new sectors and occupations, gradually propelling market contestability and job creation. All reforms will have to rely on improved data capacity and transparency to create a new social contract between governments and the people of the region.

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276

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World Bank Publications

Published Date

ISBN 10

1464817367

ISBN 13

9781464817366

Altered Destinies

The Long-Term Effects of Rising Prices and Food Insecurity in the Middle East and North Africa

By: Roberta Gatti,Daniel Lederman,Asif Islam,Federico Bennett,Bo Pieter Johannes Andree,Hoda Assem,Rana Lotfi,Mennatallah Mousa

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Altered Destinies

The Long-Term Effects of Rising Prices and Food Insecurity in the Middle East and North Africa

By: Roberta Gatti,Daniel Lederman,Asif Islam,Federico Bennett,Bo Pieter Johannes Andree,Hoda Assem,Rana Lotfi,Mennatallah Mousa

Growth is forecasted to slow down for the Middle East and North Africa region. The war in Ukraine in 2022 exacerbated inflationary pressures as the world recovered from the COVID 19 pandemic-induced recession. The response by central banks to raise rates to curb inflation is slowing economic activity, while rising food prices are making it difficult for families to put meals on the table. Inflation, when it stems from food prices, hits the poor harder than the rich. Moreover, food insecurity in MENA has been rising over decades. The immediate effects of food insecurity can be a devastating loss of life, but even temporary increases in food prices can cause long-term irreversible damages, especially to children. The rise in food prices due to the war in Ukraine may have altered the destinies of thousands of children in the region, setting them on paths to limited prosperity. Food insecurity imposes challenges to a region where the state of child nutrition and health were inadequate before the shocks from the COVID-19 pandemic. The report discusses policy options and highlights the need for data to guide effective decision making.

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World Bank Publications

Published Date

ISBN 10

1464819742

ISBN 13

9781464819742

Sustainable Food Drying Techniques in Developing Countries: Prospects and Challenges

By: Mahadi Hasan Masud,Azharul Karim,Anan Ashrabi Ananno,Asif Ahmed

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Sustainable Food Drying Techniques in Developing Countries: Prospects and Challenges

By: Mahadi Hasan Masud,Azharul Karim,Anan Ashrabi Ananno,Asif Ahmed

This book presents a comprehensive review of renewable energy-based sustainable drying techniques for developing countries. Aspiring towards a world with zero food waste, the book has provided discussion on sustainable drying techniques in terms of energy efficiency. The socio-economic condition of each developing country is unique; therefore, has specific technological requirements. As such, the book presents discussions on food waste scenario around the world, the socio-economic status of developing countries and their correlation with food. The book gives an overview of the quality aspects of drying, along with the required energy and time to retain these features. Additionally, a method of selecting drying techniques for developing countries, taking the cost and safety factor into consideration, has been discussed extensively Also, the renewable and non-renewable energy resources of low income, lower-middle income, middle income, and high-income developing countries have been analyzed and presented. The book also highlights the available drying techniques that are currently being practiced by the consumers and industries of developing countries. The book recommends ten sustainable drying technologies for the developing countries and describes their working principle. Discussion on potential challenges for sustainable drying technology adoption is also presented. The book presents up-to-date research on sustainable drying techniques and their impact on developing countries to reduce food waste. Food waste is not only a humanitarian concern but also a threat to environmental sustainability. Currently, one-third of all produced food is being wasted, when nearly 805 million people - including children remain undernourished on a daily basis. In an effort to solve this crisis, a number of food preservations techniques are being practiced in food supply chain. Drying is one such preservation technique that prevents microbial proliferation, slows enzymatic reaction and preserves the physio-chemical properties of food. Albeit, drying is an effective means of food preservation; it is also highly energy-intensive. Developing countries do not have sufficient energy and financial resources to adopt conventional (expensive and high energy) drying techniques. As such, this is the first reference work dedicated to discussing the prospects and challenges of sustainable (renewable energy based and inexpensive) drying techniques for developing countries in order to reduce food waste. Sustainable food drying techniques in developing countries: Prospects and Challenges is a singular work in the field of food preservation and affordable drying technology.

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205

Publisher

Springer Nature

Published Date

ISBN 10

3030424766

ISBN 13

9783030424763

Middle East and North Africa Economic Update

Conflict and Debt in the Middle East and North Africa

By: Roberta Gatti,Federico Bennett,Hoda Assem,Rana Lotfi,Gianluca Mele,Ilias Suvanov,Asif Islam

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Middle East and North Africa Economic Update

Conflict and Debt in the Middle East and North Africa

By: Roberta Gatti,Federico Bennett,Hoda Assem,Rana Lotfi,Gianluca Mele,Ilias Suvanov,Asif Islam

The global economy is in its third year of deceleration amidst declining inflation and oil prices. The MENA region grew at 1.9 percent in 2023 and is forecasted to grow at 2.7 percent in 2024. And for the first time since the pandemic, MENA oil exporters and importers will grow at similar rates. The tragedy of the conflict in the Middle East has increased uncertainty. Rising debt leaves many countries in the region exposed. This report unpacks the nature of debt in the region. Oil importers have been unable to either inflate or grow out of debt. Exchange rate fluctuations, and particularly stock flow adjustments (SFA) play a sizeable role. The report highlights the need to address debt transparency. Extrabudgetary items, especially for developing oil importers, need to be accounted for. Primary balances are key, but only to the extent that they capture the true state of government finances.

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World Bank Publications

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ISBN 10

1464820988

ISBN 13

9781464820984

Reality Check

Forecasting Growth in the Middle East and North Africa in Times of Uncertainty

By: Roberta Gatti,Daniel Lederman,Asif Islam,Rachel Yuting Fan,Christina Wood,Rana Lotfi,Ha Nguyen,Mennatallah Mousa

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Reality Check

Forecasting Growth in the Middle East and North Africa in Times of Uncertainty

By: Roberta Gatti,Daniel Lederman,Asif Islam,Rachel Yuting Fan,Christina Wood,Rana Lotfi,Ha Nguyen,Mennatallah Mousa

The Middle East and North Africa economies face an uncertain recovery. The war in Ukraine presents significant challenges to the global economy and the MENA region. Inflationary pressures brought about by the pandemic are likely to be further exacerbated by the conflict. The potential for rising food prices is even higher, which is likely to hurt the wallets of the poor and vulnerable in the region. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to cast a shadow. As the latest variant sweeps over the region, countries grapple with a host of problems depending on initial conditions and policy priorities. The region, like the rest of the world, is not out of the woods yet. Vaccinations remain the effective path out of the pandemic, leading to lower hospitalizations and death rates. Testing helps curb the spread. During times of uncertainty, it is important to not be overconfident about the region’s growth prospects. Growth forecasts serve as a significant signpost for policymakers to chart a path forward. Over the last decade, growth forecasts in the MENA region have often been inaccurate and overly optimistic, which can lead to economic contractions down the road due to ebullient borrowing. There is considerable room for the region to improve its forecasts that are largely hindered by opaque data systems, growth volatility and conflict. The MENA region lags considerably in the timely production of credible statistics. A key finding of the report is that the best way to improve forecasters is to provide forecasters with as much good quality information as possible.

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World Bank Publications

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ISBN 10

1464818657

ISBN 13

9781464818653

MENA ECONOMIC UPDATE APRIL 2021

How Institutions Shape the Tradeoff Between Short-Term Needs and Long-Term Costs of Public Debt in Middle East and North Africa

By: Roberta Gatti,Daniel Lederman,Sultan Abdulaziz Alturki,Rachel Yuting Fan,Asif Islam,Claudio Jeremias Rojas,Ha Minh Nguyen

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MENA ECONOMIC UPDATE APRIL 2021

How Institutions Shape the Tradeoff Between Short-Term Needs and Long-Term Costs of Public Debt in Middle East and North Africa

By: Roberta Gatti,Daniel Lederman,Sultan Abdulaziz Alturki,Rachel Yuting Fan,Asif Islam,Claudio Jeremias Rojas,Ha Minh Nguyen

Part I of this report discusses the short- and medium-term growth prospects for countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The region is expected to grow at a subdued rate of 0.6 percent in 2019, rising to 2.6 percent in 2020 and 2.9 percent in 2021. The growth forecast for 2019 is revised down by 0.8 percentage points from the April 2019 projection. MENA’s economic outlook is subject to substantial downside risks—most notably, intensified global economic headwinds and rising geopolitical tensions. Part II argues that promoting fair competition is key for MENA countries to complete the transition from an administered to a market economy. Part II first examines current competition policies in MENA countries and to promote fair competition calls for strengthening competition law and enforcement agencies. It also calls for corporatizing state-owned enterprises, promoting the private sector and creating a level-playing field between them. Any moves to reform MENA economies would be aided by professional management of public assets, which could tap into a new source of national wealth.

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World Bank Publications

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ISBN 10

1464816999

ISBN 13

9781464816994

Book's by Asif M. Islam

Jobs Undone

Jobs Undone

Altered Destinies

Altered Destinies

Sustainable Food Drying Techniques in Developing Countries: Prospects and Challenges

Sustainable Food Drying Techniques in Developing Countries: Prospects and Challenges

Middle East and North Africa Economic Update

Middle East and North Africa Economic Update

Reality Check

Reality Check

MENA ECONOMIC UPDATE APRIL 2021

MENA ECONOMIC UPDATE APRIL 2021

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