United Nations University Series on Regionalism, 2017
The authors present a study of the problems faced by monitoring the EU-CARIFORUM Economic Partner... more The authors present a study of the problems faced by monitoring the EU-CARIFORUM Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), an agreement that was signed between the EU and the CARICOM in 2007. By showing current monitoring efforts in the Caribbean region, the authors explain the challenges that must be addressed, such as monitoring compliance or development impacts. From their analysis, the authors extract the following lessons: First, analyzing the political, historical and economic contexts is key to determine the state of regional integration. Second, regional monitoring systems can be seen as a useful tool for national governments. Third, the monitoring exercise should be flexible enough in regards to countries with different characteristics. Fourth, the monitoring system must begin with a modest ambition. Finally, the authors emphasize that the design of an EPA monitoring systems requires consideration of objectives, scope, actors and institutions, as well as methodology.
There is long-standing, wide consensus on the need for greater economic connectedness in Africa. ... more There is long-standing, wide consensus on the need for greater economic connectedness in Africa. Despite the rhetoric and apparent policy consensus, implementation of related commitments lags seriously. The lack of progress towards the free movement between national markets of goods, services, people and capital is frequently blamed on a combination of lack of political will and lack of capacity. Yet, it is necessary to better understand what these twin deficiencies actually entail. This paper takes a politicaleconomy approach to regional integration to try and understand progress on regional economic integration. Building on the existing and wide literature examining the political economy of development at a national level, and the somewhat more limited literature on the political economy of regional integration, the paper defines five lenses through which we can better understand the progress or not of regional integration processes: structural factors, formal and informal institu...
The growing reference to CSO-business partnerships as a 'modality' for development raises... more The growing reference to CSO-business partnerships as a 'modality' for development raises the importance of understanding the processes underlying these and their policy implications. Stylised facts suggest 'philanthropic' partnerships are more frequent than 'strategic' partnerships but may be less sustainable; the private sector tends to dominate but partnerships with shared control may yield greater developmental benefits. This paper presents a case study approach to assess these aspects based on four dimensions: relation to core business; degree of partner engagement; partnership activities; and governance structure. In particular it proposes combining the above factors with a political economy understanding of interests and external factors to capture the complexity of such approaches in terms of drivers and challenges this is the basis for future work.
The world economy is increasingly integrated, a development marked by the dominance of global and... more The world economy is increasingly integrated, a development marked by the dominance of global and regional value chains. This has been accompanied by a proliferation of bilateral, regional, mega-regional and cross-regional economic cooperation agreements and integration initiatives.
... integration in Southern Africa yearbooks 1-3. 2001-2003, Windhoek: Gamsberg Macmillan Publish... more ... integration in Southern Africa yearbooks 1-3. 2001-2003, Windhoek: Gamsberg Macmillan Publishers Hansohm, Dirk, et al, 2004, Monitoring regional integration in Southern Africa yearbook 4. 2004, Windhoek: NEPRU Hansohm, Dirk, and Jonathan Adongo, Southern and ...
Regional market integration and value chain development are seen as key to promoting economic tra... more Regional market integration and value chain development are seen as key to promoting economic transformation across African countries. This study looks at cement in West Africa to better understand the challenges of this agenda. Cement is a key sector in West Africa in terms of value addition to low-value minerals, construction sector employment, and high levels of public spending. Despite regional trade and industrialisation policies and rising cement investments, prices remain nearly three times the world average. ECOWAS commitments to liberalise regional trade in cement and clinker are undermined by national measures to limit imports, often under pressure from a major industry player. As such, trade policy and trade dynamics are inherently tied up with company strategies and the political weight that these producers exert. Disentangling state business relations and political concerns within and between countries, and across sectors including transport and energy, are all key to understanding the region’s cement market and for assessing the potential of promoting industrial, infrastructural and social development through the cement value chain.
United Nations University Series on Regionalism, 2017
The authors present a study of the problems faced by monitoring the EU-CARIFORUM Economic Partner... more The authors present a study of the problems faced by monitoring the EU-CARIFORUM Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), an agreement that was signed between the EU and the CARICOM in 2007. By showing current monitoring efforts in the Caribbean region, the authors explain the challenges that must be addressed, such as monitoring compliance or development impacts. From their analysis, the authors extract the following lessons: First, analyzing the political, historical and economic contexts is key to determine the state of regional integration. Second, regional monitoring systems can be seen as a useful tool for national governments. Third, the monitoring exercise should be flexible enough in regards to countries with different characteristics. Fourth, the monitoring system must begin with a modest ambition. Finally, the authors emphasize that the design of an EPA monitoring systems requires consideration of objectives, scope, actors and institutions, as well as methodology.
There is long-standing, wide consensus on the need for greater economic connectedness in Africa. ... more There is long-standing, wide consensus on the need for greater economic connectedness in Africa. Despite the rhetoric and apparent policy consensus, implementation of related commitments lags seriously. The lack of progress towards the free movement between national markets of goods, services, people and capital is frequently blamed on a combination of lack of political will and lack of capacity. Yet, it is necessary to better understand what these twin deficiencies actually entail. This paper takes a politicaleconomy approach to regional integration to try and understand progress on regional economic integration. Building on the existing and wide literature examining the political economy of development at a national level, and the somewhat more limited literature on the political economy of regional integration, the paper defines five lenses through which we can better understand the progress or not of regional integration processes: structural factors, formal and informal institu...
The growing reference to CSO-business partnerships as a 'modality' for development raises... more The growing reference to CSO-business partnerships as a 'modality' for development raises the importance of understanding the processes underlying these and their policy implications. Stylised facts suggest 'philanthropic' partnerships are more frequent than 'strategic' partnerships but may be less sustainable; the private sector tends to dominate but partnerships with shared control may yield greater developmental benefits. This paper presents a case study approach to assess these aspects based on four dimensions: relation to core business; degree of partner engagement; partnership activities; and governance structure. In particular it proposes combining the above factors with a political economy understanding of interests and external factors to capture the complexity of such approaches in terms of drivers and challenges this is the basis for future work.
The world economy is increasingly integrated, a development marked by the dominance of global and... more The world economy is increasingly integrated, a development marked by the dominance of global and regional value chains. This has been accompanied by a proliferation of bilateral, regional, mega-regional and cross-regional economic cooperation agreements and integration initiatives.
... integration in Southern Africa yearbooks 1-3. 2001-2003, Windhoek: Gamsberg Macmillan Publish... more ... integration in Southern Africa yearbooks 1-3. 2001-2003, Windhoek: Gamsberg Macmillan Publishers Hansohm, Dirk, et al, 2004, Monitoring regional integration in Southern Africa yearbook 4. 2004, Windhoek: NEPRU Hansohm, Dirk, and Jonathan Adongo, Southern and ...
Regional market integration and value chain development are seen as key to promoting economic tra... more Regional market integration and value chain development are seen as key to promoting economic transformation across African countries. This study looks at cement in West Africa to better understand the challenges of this agenda. Cement is a key sector in West Africa in terms of value addition to low-value minerals, construction sector employment, and high levels of public spending. Despite regional trade and industrialisation policies and rising cement investments, prices remain nearly three times the world average. ECOWAS commitments to liberalise regional trade in cement and clinker are undermined by national measures to limit imports, often under pressure from a major industry player. As such, trade policy and trade dynamics are inherently tied up with company strategies and the political weight that these producers exert. Disentangling state business relations and political concerns within and between countries, and across sectors including transport and energy, are all key to understanding the region’s cement market and for assessing the potential of promoting industrial, infrastructural and social development through the cement value chain.
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Papers by Bruce Byiers
political concerns within and between countries, and across sectors including transport and energy, are all key to understanding the region’s cement market and for assessing the potential of promoting industrial, infrastructural and social development through the cement value chain.
political concerns within and between countries, and across sectors including transport and energy, are all key to understanding the region’s cement market and for assessing the potential of promoting industrial, infrastructural and social development through the cement value chain.