Zulkornain Yusop

Foreign Direct Investment, Economic Growth, and Financial Sector Development: A Comparative Analysis

In this study, patterns of foreign direct investment (FDI) and economic growth are investigated among select developed and East Asian countries. In particular, it aims to investigate the development of the domestic financial sector in transferring the technological diffusion embodied in FDI inflows to the chosen countries. It is evident in all the countries under study that both FDI and economic growth are not cointegrated by themselves directly, but rather through their dynamic interaction with the development of the domestic financial sector. Our results prove that the presence of FDI inflows creates a positive technological diffusion in the long run only if the evolution of the domestic financial system has achieved a certain minimum level. From the short-run causality models, the striking similarity in the behaviour of FDI on economic growth across countries suggests the possibility of common financial sector development in different countries, despite differences in their fiscal policy, industrial development, and other domestic determinants.

Foreign Direct Investment And Economic Growth In Malaysia: The Role Of Domestic Financial Sector

This study aims to incorporate the role of domestic financial system in transferring the technological diffusion embodied in FDI inflows on the Malaysian economy from 1970–2001. Applying bound test, or unrestricted error correction model (UECM) proposed by Pesaran et al. (2001), the presence of FDI inflows creates a positive technological diffusion in both short- and long-run if the evolution of domestic financial system has achieved a certain minimum level. This implies that the improvement of technology level in Malaysia in the long run is due to the spillover efficiency effects from FDI. Hence, the study suggests that FDI tends to be more likely to enhance economic growth more efficiently when a recipient country has a well-developed and well-functioning financial sector.

On the Determinants of Capital Flight. A New Approach

This paper seeks to contribute to the literature on capital flight determinants by employing a new approach to the estimation of capital flight equations over four different measures of capital flight for Malaysian time-series data during the period 1970-96. It improves upon earlier work in the area by employing, for the first time in the relevant empirical literature, relatively recent developments associated with modern time-series analysis, such as cointegration, within the context of a general-to-specific econometric methodology. Empirical findings obtained seem to suggest the importance of macro-economic fundamentals in the capital flight process. The results of econometric analysis reveal the existence of a long-run relationship between capital flight, as variously defined (Dooleys, World Banks, Private Claim and Balance of Payments measures) on the one hand and exchange rate movements, changes in external debt, real GDP growth and foreign direct investment activities, on the other.

The monetary model of exchange rate: evidence from The Philippines

This note examines the empirical validity of the monetary model of exchange rate determination for The Philippines via cointegration and vector error-correction model. It is found that the monetary model is a valid framework for the long-run exchange rate between Philippines peso-US Dollar exchange rate. However, the typical linear restrictions of flexible-price monetary model and proportionality between the exchange rate and relative money are rejected.

Competitiveness of the Malaysian Food Processing Industry

Competitiveness is the goal sought after by governments and private sectors of many developing countries, including Malaysia. The study used net social profits (NSP) at the production level and the Porter diamond approach at the firms’ level to evaluate the competitiveness of 16 food-processing sectors from 2000 to 2008. The results indicate that processed-food industries have a comparative advantage but at a different magnitude. A time trend was fitted to track the dynamic NSP indices where positive trends indicate improvement in competitiveness. The range of NSP indices is quite wide, from RM 1,707.70 for snacks to RM 35.36 for vegetable and animal oils and fats, reflecting the need to improve resource allocation from low to high comparative advantage sectors. The NSP trend and Porter diamond conditions (demand condition, factor inputs, firm strategy and rivalry, and related supporting industries) suggested that the food processing cluster is gaining competitiveness.

Solvency Determinants of Conventional Life Insurers and Takaful Operators

The business of insurance is based on the trust of its policyholders, who expect that their losses will be compensated should the need arise at any time. Thus, sound financial conditions constitute the most important criterion for insurance firms, as well as for takaful operators. Although the policyholder may be the most important source of insurer finance, or a debt holder from an economic point of view through premium payments, the policyholder is not well informed in assessing the financial strength or solvency of the life insurer. Various measures of the solvency of the insurer are used in the industry, such as margin of solvency (MOS), risk based capital (RBC), and claim paying ability (CPA) rating. Unfortunately, none of these can provide information to policyholders on the financial position of the insurer. This is because the MOS and RBC for each insurer is the companys and regulator’s confidential information. However, for the CPA rating, it is limited to insurers who wish to be evaluated, and therefore the assessment is not comprehensive. Because of these shortcomings, this study provides a platform for policyholders to get an idea of the solvency of the insurers/takaful operators. Furthermore, this study identifies factors that affect the solvency of the insurers/takaful operators in Malaysia. Using random effects regression on panel data for 2003-2007, it is determined that investment income, total benefit paid to capital and surplus ratio, financial leverage, and liquidity are significantly related to solvency, in which the investment income has a positive relationship, while the other three have a negative relationship. From the results obtained, the policyholders/consumers can assess the insurers’ financial strength through the solvency determinants of the insurers/takaful operators, even though the actual level of solvency is not known. To some extent, this information can help policyholders/consumers make smarter choices in choosing the insurers/takaful operators

Private capital flows to developing countries: the role of the domestic financial sector

The relationship between private capital flows and growth has been examined extensively in the literature, yet numerous controversies remain. This study examines the relationships among private capital flows (foreign direct investment and portfolio investment), financial development and economic performance in a panel of developing countries over the period 1983–2006, by employing generalized method of moments (GMM) panel data analysis. We find that these private capital flows have a positive impact on growth with a well-developed financial sector but have a negative effect in the presence of poor financial sector development. Moreover, foreign direct investment promotes economic growth via efficiency effect, while portfolio investment stimulates economic growth via investment effect. Hence, well-developed financial sectors are ones that are crucial for economic growth.

AFTA, Income Growth, and Income Convergence in ASEAN

The rapid economic growth experienced by the core ASEAN members (comprised of Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Indonesia) since the 70s was generally attributed to openness policies adopted by the respective governments. Despite this contention, however, there is little evidence to suggest that greater openness will eventually lead to a convergence of the member countries, particularly with the present of external shocks. The introduction of ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) in 1992 was also partly an attempt to hedge the region from external shock, while possibly further promoting economic development in the region. This study, therefore, is an attempt at examining in greater detail the impact of AFTA and openness on ASEAN economic growth, in the present of external shock. The results indicate that convergence in ASEAN is conditional upon several control variables taking place, in addition to openness. Additionally, while AFTA has a positive effect on economic growth, its impact on convergence is somewhat ambiguous in the presence of external shocks.

Impacts of Trade Liberalization on Export Performance in Bangladesh: An Empirical Investigation

In the backdrop of persistent trade deficit, Bangladesh has been extensively liberalizing its trade regime since 1992 in order to achieve higher export performance and GDP growth. However, despite the liberalization, imports are still growing faster than exports, increasing trade deficit. The article empirically examines the impacts of trade liberalization on export performance in Bangladesh, using the ARDL ‘Bounds Test’ approach with annual time series data. Empirical results indicate that trade liberalization is having statistically significant but low impact on aggregate export. Neither capital stock as a technology transfers nor liberalization through reduction and withdrawal of export duties shows a significant impact on export performance. Exports are mostly stimulated by GDP growth. The interaction of liberalization with GDP increases exports a little, hence improving the trade balance. However, the liberalization enhances imports compared to exports hence the trade deficit. Therefore, a combined and consistent policy to promote GDP growth, technology transfers and domestic price stability, including education, infrastructures and backward linkage industries is essential in order to achieve higher export performance in Bangladesh.

Reserve Pooling And Its Implication On Optimum Currency Area In Asean

Regional economic integration in ASEAN, ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA), is expected to produce positive outcomes on economic growth in ASEAN especially through its impact on trade and investment. This idea can be strengthened if regional monetary integration is followed. Therefore, focusing on reserve pooling, which is one of the proxy for Optimum Currency Area (OCA) variables, this study intends to examine the feasibility of a common currency in ASEAN. In addition, this study also investigates this idea in the presence of external shock.