Biman Chand Prasad - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Biman Chand Prasad

Research paper thumbnail of An Analysis of Employment Prospects in Fiji's Urban Area

Research paper thumbnail of Fiji's economic woes: a nation in search of development progress

Research paper thumbnail of Trade’s impact on production efficiency and technology in Pacific island countries

Pacific island countries have a relatively higher trade openness (trade / GDP), however, these co... more Pacific island countries have a relatively higher trade openness (trade / GDP), however, these countries face difficulties in the process of economic development. Which come out of the question, namely whether the trade effectively promoted economic growth in Pacific island countries. Due to limited resources, these countries failed to stimulate rapid economic growth, to answer this question is crucial. Purpose of this paper is to study the role of import and export of production efficiency and technology to answer these problems. Is divided into two steps, calculate the seven Pacific island countries in 1970-2009 years of efficiency and technical level, and further productivity and technology trade in the first panel on the basis of non-parametric data envelopment analysis (DEA) regression analysis. It was found that, in addition to certain technological advances Fiji, the Pacific Islands as a whole, its production efficiency and technical efficiency have been worse. The increase in exports of these countries is a potential way to improve production efficiency, the governments of these countries should make efforts to import those products in favor of technology diffusion. Therefore called for accelerated regional integration and internal regional integration of these Pacific island countries to improve trade.

Research paper thumbnail of Impact of total factor productivity on agricultural growth in Pacific island countries

Research paper thumbnail of The Plan to Increase Fiji's Rice Production - is it Worthwhile?

Social Science Research Network, 2005

Research paper thumbnail of Contributions of exports of services towards Fiji's output

This paper uses the Solow Model (1956) to explore quantitatively the nexus between the level of o... more This paper uses the Solow Model (1956) to explore quantitatively the nexus between the level of output and the export of services, focusing particularly on the Fijian economy. The introduction comprehensively outlines the World Trade Organizations (WTO) General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS), which was included in the Uruguay Round of trade negotiations incorporating services into the multilateral trading system under the GATS in January 1995 thus establishing the rules and disciplines governing trade in services in a multilateral framework. This paper uses two-time series method viz., the LSE/Hendry general to specific (known as GETS) and Engle Granger two step (EG) approach to report the relationship between services export and GDP for the period 1975-2003. The statistical analysis show that service exports have a positive impact both in the short run and long run on the output level in Fiji.

Research paper thumbnail of Institutional rigidities and economic performance in Fiji

ANU eView eBooks, Jan 22, 2016

Research paper thumbnail of The relationship between Fiji sugar corporation’s profitability and sugarcane production: an empirical assessment

Pacific Economic Bulletin, 2004

Research paper thumbnail of Modelling relationship between foreign direct investment and economic growth in Fiji: 1970-2002

ABSTRACT Among the Pacific island countries, Fiji, with its relatively better endowments in land ... more ABSTRACT Among the Pacific island countries, Fiji, with its relatively better endowments in land and human resources as well as physical infrastructure, has been one of the ten favorite destinations of foreign direct investment (FDI) in the Asia-Pacific. Theoretically, various models have identified FDI as one of the determinants of economic output through its role in technology transfer. The gains from FDI include not only output production in those sectors, which attracted overseas investors, but also of additional output opportunities in ancillary sectors, which are supportive to all production oriented activities in the economy. This paper undertakes an econometric study of the impact of FDI in Fiji during a 33 year period. The results confirm that FDI contributed to the economic growth.

Research paper thumbnail of Preferential voting and Political Engineering: The case of Fiji's 1999 and 2001 general elections

Commonwealth & comparative politics, Nov 1, 2004

ABSTRACT The foundation for a new political order was laid in Fiji after the successful endorseme... more ABSTRACT The foundation for a new political order was laid in Fiji after the successful endorsement of the 1997 Constitutional Amendment Act in July 1997, which put in place a preferential voting system replacing the decades-old First-Past-the-Post (FPP) system. The preferential voting system, also known as alternative vote (AV) system, was adopted in order to strengthen democratic rule in Fiji. It was a significant departure from the past since the new Constitution allowed inter-party co-operation and gave a majoritarian character to the electoral process. However, at the time of implementation, little was known about how this system would work in Fiji and whether it would give acceptable results. The analysis of the results of Fiji's 1999 and 2001 general elections shows that under the AV system of voting final election results can vary considerably as a result of the behaviour of political parties.

Research paper thumbnail of Doubling fish exports or garment exports: which would benefit the Fijian economy most? Evidence from a computable general equilibrium model

Applied Economics, Apr 10, 2006

The need to diversify Fiji's export base has been identified as an important avenue for ... more The need to diversify Fiji's export base has been identified as an important avenue for reducing Fiji's vulnerabilities in international trade. This paper poses the question: Doubling fish exports or garment exports: which would be most beneficial for the Fijian economy? To achieve the goal of this paper, the computable general equilibrium model is used, this being at the forefront of research on ‘impact studies’. The main finding is that when garment exports and fish exports are doubled, the benefits to the Fijian economy are greater from garment exports, suggesting that the latter has stronger linkages with the rest of the economy. On the basis of this finding, policymakers should divert resources towards sustaining the garment industry whose future is uncertain due to expiring trade agreements and unstable economic policies.

Research paper thumbnail of Impacts of Total Factor Productivity on Agricultural Growth in Pacific Island Countries

The Journal of Pacific studies, 2016

The agriculture sector plays an important role in small Pacific Island economies and has signific... more The agriculture sector plays an important role in small Pacific Island economies and has significant impacts on the livelihood of households. However, total agricultural production and productivity in these economies are generally low. This, together with limited sources of factor inputs, calls for improving technical efficiency and technology to enhance agriculture production. Based on the Malmquist index approach, this study computes growth of total factor productivity and its components, namely, pure technical efficiency growth, scale efficiency growth and technological growth for the agriculture sector of 15 Pacific Island countries over 1980-2012. Impacts of these productivity growth measures are further quantified by estimating panel data regression models using the generalized method of moments estimators. There is sufficient statistical evidence that agriculture’s total factor productivity growth and its components, which though are slow in Pacific Island countries, contribute significantly to these small economies’ agricultural growth.

Research paper thumbnail of Merging interests in Fiji: essential ingredients for better economic performance

Research paper thumbnail of Are shocks to real effective exchange rates permanent or transitory? Evidence from Pacific Island countries

Applied Economics, Apr 1, 2008

ABSTRACT In this article, we consider the stability of the real effective exchange rates for four... more ABSTRACT In this article, we consider the stability of the real effective exchange rates for four Pacific Island countries using the Lee and Strazicich (2003a, b) unit root test, which allows one to incorporate at most two structural breaks in the data series. Our main finding is that for Papua New Guinea and Samoa, exchange rates are stable, implying that shocks will have a transitory effect on real effective exchange rates, while for Fiji and the Solomon Islands we find exchange rates to be unstable, implying that shocks will have a permanent effect on real effective exchange rates.

Research paper thumbnail of The Pacific Agribusiness Research for Development Initiative (Pardi): A Novel Approach to Horticultural Development in the Pacific

Acta horticulturae, Dec 1, 2011

Pacific island countries face significant challenges in improving livelihoods and overcoming pove... more Pacific island countries face significant challenges in improving livelihoods and overcoming poverty, particularly with the food and fuel price surges in 2008, the impact of the global economic crisis, a number of natural disasters, difficulties maintaining infrastructure, and the negative effects of climate change. In addressing some of these challenges, Pacific island countries and international agencies recognise that improving the competitiveness of industries, which provide a platform for stronger economic growth, is the basis of overcoming many of these challenges. The importance of agricultural development in alleviating poverty and providing a catalyst for sustainable economic growth has been widely documented. In the Pacific, agricultural productivity tends to be derived from traditional smallholder farming systems, with horticultural production and associated supply chains representing one of the fastest growing components. Issues affecting the horticultural sector in the Pacific include distance from markets, small and inconsistent scale of production, high transport costs, eroding tariff preferences, technical market access barriers, migration of skilled labour, resource depletion and degradation, and risks from climate change. In meeting these challenges, a network of Australian universities and agencies, the Secretariat of Pacific Island Communities (SPC) and the University of the South Pacific, supported by ACIAR, have developed an innovative approach to horticultural development based around intervention priorities generated by supply chain and market analysis. Rather than pre-defining a specific set of commodities or researchable priorities the Pacific Agribusiness Research for Development Initiative (PARDI) incorporates a 'market-oriented' approach to identify horticulture products and chain opportunities. PARDI delivery has integrated horticultural scientists with social scientists and market analysts. This paper outlines the methodologies and preliminary project outcomes, with specific focus on horticulture development in Fiji, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands.

Research paper thumbnail of Productivity Differential and the Relationship between Exports and GDP in Fiji: An Empirical Assessment Using the Two Sector Model

Journal of The Asia Pacific Economy, Feb 1, 2006

ABSTRACT This study uses a two-sector model to determine the productivity differential between th... more ABSTRACT This study uses a two-sector model to determine the productivity differential between the export and non-export sectors of Fiji, and the contribution of exports and investment to gross domestic product over the period 1962–2000. Amongst our key results ...

Research paper thumbnail of The long-run impact of coups on Fiji's economy: evidence from a computable general equilibrium model

Journal of International Development, 2007

Coups have been used as a weapon to overthrow democratic governments in Fiji since 1987. The post... more Coups have been used as a weapon to overthrow democratic governments in Fiji since 1987. The post‐1987 period has been one of the most volatile ones in Fiji's history, in that it has undergone 15 changes in government. In this paper, we analyse the long run economy‐wide impact of the May 2000 coup on Fiji's economy. This goal is achieved by using the computable general equilibrium model, which is at the forefront of ‘impact studies’. We find that coups will have an adverse impact on the Fijian economy: real GDP will fall by around 8 per cent, real national welfare will fall by around 7 per cent and real consumption will fall by around 2 per cent in the long‐run. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Research paper thumbnail of Institutions and Gender Empowerment in the Fiji Islands

World Scientific Studies in International Economics, Jun 1, 2008

AbstractThe following sections are included:IntroductionPolitical and Economic Status of Women in... more AbstractThe following sections are included:IntroductionPolitical and Economic Status of Women in FijiInstitutions, Government Policies, and ProgramsLegislative developmentConcluding Comments and RecommendationsReferences

Research paper thumbnail of Institutions, good governance and economic growth in the Pacific Island countries

International Journal of Social Economics, Oct 17, 2008

PurposeThe main purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the main institutional and gov... more PurposeThe main purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the main institutional and governance issues facing the Pacific Island countries (PIC) and to point out how they affect their economic performance. The paper also provides a description of the key characteristics of the PIC and points out why these characteristics may present special challenges to achieving sustainable levels of growth.Design/methodology/approachThis paper discusses the issues of governance, institutions and economic growth in the PICs.FindingsThe main conclusion of the paper is that PICs would have to align their policies so that appropriate and better economic integration is achieved not only regionally but also globally.Practical implicationsThis paper allows policy makers to take note of the main issues in governance and institution building.Originality/valueThis paper provides policymakers and scholars an overview of the institutional and governance issues facing the PICs.

Research paper thumbnail of Politics of race and poverty in Fiji

International Journal of Social Economics, May 1, 2004

The results of the 1999 and 2001 general election seem to suggest that the Indo‐Fijian community ... more The results of the 1999 and 2001 general election seem to suggest that the Indo‐Fijian community in Fiji voted on the issues of poverty, unemployment and lack of opportunities amongst the Indo‐Fijian community. The Indo‐Fijian community, since the military coups of 1987 and more recently in May 2000, has increasingly felt marginalised by the Indigenous Fijian led governments. The expiry of land leases and the lack of opportunities for many of them in both the rural and urban areas are a source of increasing concern. Indian politicians are also raising these concerns in their struggle for political and economic rights for the community. Based on a national survey data this article examines some of these concerns. It analyses the extent of concern about poverty, unemployment and lack of basic facilities such as water, housing and electricity among the community and draws conclusion for the future of Indo‐Fijian political and economic rights.

Research paper thumbnail of An Analysis of Employment Prospects in Fiji's Urban Area

Research paper thumbnail of Fiji's economic woes: a nation in search of development progress

Research paper thumbnail of Trade’s impact on production efficiency and technology in Pacific island countries

Pacific island countries have a relatively higher trade openness (trade / GDP), however, these co... more Pacific island countries have a relatively higher trade openness (trade / GDP), however, these countries face difficulties in the process of economic development. Which come out of the question, namely whether the trade effectively promoted economic growth in Pacific island countries. Due to limited resources, these countries failed to stimulate rapid economic growth, to answer this question is crucial. Purpose of this paper is to study the role of import and export of production efficiency and technology to answer these problems. Is divided into two steps, calculate the seven Pacific island countries in 1970-2009 years of efficiency and technical level, and further productivity and technology trade in the first panel on the basis of non-parametric data envelopment analysis (DEA) regression analysis. It was found that, in addition to certain technological advances Fiji, the Pacific Islands as a whole, its production efficiency and technical efficiency have been worse. The increase in exports of these countries is a potential way to improve production efficiency, the governments of these countries should make efforts to import those products in favor of technology diffusion. Therefore called for accelerated regional integration and internal regional integration of these Pacific island countries to improve trade.

Research paper thumbnail of Impact of total factor productivity on agricultural growth in Pacific island countries

Research paper thumbnail of The Plan to Increase Fiji's Rice Production - is it Worthwhile?

Social Science Research Network, 2005

Research paper thumbnail of Contributions of exports of services towards Fiji's output

This paper uses the Solow Model (1956) to explore quantitatively the nexus between the level of o... more This paper uses the Solow Model (1956) to explore quantitatively the nexus between the level of output and the export of services, focusing particularly on the Fijian economy. The introduction comprehensively outlines the World Trade Organizations (WTO) General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS), which was included in the Uruguay Round of trade negotiations incorporating services into the multilateral trading system under the GATS in January 1995 thus establishing the rules and disciplines governing trade in services in a multilateral framework. This paper uses two-time series method viz., the LSE/Hendry general to specific (known as GETS) and Engle Granger two step (EG) approach to report the relationship between services export and GDP for the period 1975-2003. The statistical analysis show that service exports have a positive impact both in the short run and long run on the output level in Fiji.

Research paper thumbnail of Institutional rigidities and economic performance in Fiji

ANU eView eBooks, Jan 22, 2016

Research paper thumbnail of The relationship between Fiji sugar corporation’s profitability and sugarcane production: an empirical assessment

Pacific Economic Bulletin, 2004

Research paper thumbnail of Modelling relationship between foreign direct investment and economic growth in Fiji: 1970-2002

ABSTRACT Among the Pacific island countries, Fiji, with its relatively better endowments in land ... more ABSTRACT Among the Pacific island countries, Fiji, with its relatively better endowments in land and human resources as well as physical infrastructure, has been one of the ten favorite destinations of foreign direct investment (FDI) in the Asia-Pacific. Theoretically, various models have identified FDI as one of the determinants of economic output through its role in technology transfer. The gains from FDI include not only output production in those sectors, which attracted overseas investors, but also of additional output opportunities in ancillary sectors, which are supportive to all production oriented activities in the economy. This paper undertakes an econometric study of the impact of FDI in Fiji during a 33 year period. The results confirm that FDI contributed to the economic growth.

Research paper thumbnail of Preferential voting and Political Engineering: The case of Fiji's 1999 and 2001 general elections

Commonwealth & comparative politics, Nov 1, 2004

ABSTRACT The foundation for a new political order was laid in Fiji after the successful endorseme... more ABSTRACT The foundation for a new political order was laid in Fiji after the successful endorsement of the 1997 Constitutional Amendment Act in July 1997, which put in place a preferential voting system replacing the decades-old First-Past-the-Post (FPP) system. The preferential voting system, also known as alternative vote (AV) system, was adopted in order to strengthen democratic rule in Fiji. It was a significant departure from the past since the new Constitution allowed inter-party co-operation and gave a majoritarian character to the electoral process. However, at the time of implementation, little was known about how this system would work in Fiji and whether it would give acceptable results. The analysis of the results of Fiji's 1999 and 2001 general elections shows that under the AV system of voting final election results can vary considerably as a result of the behaviour of political parties.

Research paper thumbnail of Doubling fish exports or garment exports: which would benefit the Fijian economy most? Evidence from a computable general equilibrium model

Applied Economics, Apr 10, 2006

The need to diversify Fiji's export base has been identified as an important avenue for ... more The need to diversify Fiji's export base has been identified as an important avenue for reducing Fiji's vulnerabilities in international trade. This paper poses the question: Doubling fish exports or garment exports: which would be most beneficial for the Fijian economy? To achieve the goal of this paper, the computable general equilibrium model is used, this being at the forefront of research on ‘impact studies’. The main finding is that when garment exports and fish exports are doubled, the benefits to the Fijian economy are greater from garment exports, suggesting that the latter has stronger linkages with the rest of the economy. On the basis of this finding, policymakers should divert resources towards sustaining the garment industry whose future is uncertain due to expiring trade agreements and unstable economic policies.

Research paper thumbnail of Impacts of Total Factor Productivity on Agricultural Growth in Pacific Island Countries

The Journal of Pacific studies, 2016

The agriculture sector plays an important role in small Pacific Island economies and has signific... more The agriculture sector plays an important role in small Pacific Island economies and has significant impacts on the livelihood of households. However, total agricultural production and productivity in these economies are generally low. This, together with limited sources of factor inputs, calls for improving technical efficiency and technology to enhance agriculture production. Based on the Malmquist index approach, this study computes growth of total factor productivity and its components, namely, pure technical efficiency growth, scale efficiency growth and technological growth for the agriculture sector of 15 Pacific Island countries over 1980-2012. Impacts of these productivity growth measures are further quantified by estimating panel data regression models using the generalized method of moments estimators. There is sufficient statistical evidence that agriculture’s total factor productivity growth and its components, which though are slow in Pacific Island countries, contribute significantly to these small economies’ agricultural growth.

Research paper thumbnail of Merging interests in Fiji: essential ingredients for better economic performance

Research paper thumbnail of Are shocks to real effective exchange rates permanent or transitory? Evidence from Pacific Island countries

Applied Economics, Apr 1, 2008

ABSTRACT In this article, we consider the stability of the real effective exchange rates for four... more ABSTRACT In this article, we consider the stability of the real effective exchange rates for four Pacific Island countries using the Lee and Strazicich (2003a, b) unit root test, which allows one to incorporate at most two structural breaks in the data series. Our main finding is that for Papua New Guinea and Samoa, exchange rates are stable, implying that shocks will have a transitory effect on real effective exchange rates, while for Fiji and the Solomon Islands we find exchange rates to be unstable, implying that shocks will have a permanent effect on real effective exchange rates.

Research paper thumbnail of The Pacific Agribusiness Research for Development Initiative (Pardi): A Novel Approach to Horticultural Development in the Pacific

Acta horticulturae, Dec 1, 2011

Pacific island countries face significant challenges in improving livelihoods and overcoming pove... more Pacific island countries face significant challenges in improving livelihoods and overcoming poverty, particularly with the food and fuel price surges in 2008, the impact of the global economic crisis, a number of natural disasters, difficulties maintaining infrastructure, and the negative effects of climate change. In addressing some of these challenges, Pacific island countries and international agencies recognise that improving the competitiveness of industries, which provide a platform for stronger economic growth, is the basis of overcoming many of these challenges. The importance of agricultural development in alleviating poverty and providing a catalyst for sustainable economic growth has been widely documented. In the Pacific, agricultural productivity tends to be derived from traditional smallholder farming systems, with horticultural production and associated supply chains representing one of the fastest growing components. Issues affecting the horticultural sector in the Pacific include distance from markets, small and inconsistent scale of production, high transport costs, eroding tariff preferences, technical market access barriers, migration of skilled labour, resource depletion and degradation, and risks from climate change. In meeting these challenges, a network of Australian universities and agencies, the Secretariat of Pacific Island Communities (SPC) and the University of the South Pacific, supported by ACIAR, have developed an innovative approach to horticultural development based around intervention priorities generated by supply chain and market analysis. Rather than pre-defining a specific set of commodities or researchable priorities the Pacific Agribusiness Research for Development Initiative (PARDI) incorporates a 'market-oriented' approach to identify horticulture products and chain opportunities. PARDI delivery has integrated horticultural scientists with social scientists and market analysts. This paper outlines the methodologies and preliminary project outcomes, with specific focus on horticulture development in Fiji, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands.

Research paper thumbnail of Productivity Differential and the Relationship between Exports and GDP in Fiji: An Empirical Assessment Using the Two Sector Model

Journal of The Asia Pacific Economy, Feb 1, 2006

ABSTRACT This study uses a two-sector model to determine the productivity differential between th... more ABSTRACT This study uses a two-sector model to determine the productivity differential between the export and non-export sectors of Fiji, and the contribution of exports and investment to gross domestic product over the period 1962–2000. Amongst our key results ...

Research paper thumbnail of The long-run impact of coups on Fiji's economy: evidence from a computable general equilibrium model

Journal of International Development, 2007

Coups have been used as a weapon to overthrow democratic governments in Fiji since 1987. The post... more Coups have been used as a weapon to overthrow democratic governments in Fiji since 1987. The post‐1987 period has been one of the most volatile ones in Fiji's history, in that it has undergone 15 changes in government. In this paper, we analyse the long run economy‐wide impact of the May 2000 coup on Fiji's economy. This goal is achieved by using the computable general equilibrium model, which is at the forefront of ‘impact studies’. We find that coups will have an adverse impact on the Fijian economy: real GDP will fall by around 8 per cent, real national welfare will fall by around 7 per cent and real consumption will fall by around 2 per cent in the long‐run. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Research paper thumbnail of Institutions and Gender Empowerment in the Fiji Islands

World Scientific Studies in International Economics, Jun 1, 2008

AbstractThe following sections are included:IntroductionPolitical and Economic Status of Women in... more AbstractThe following sections are included:IntroductionPolitical and Economic Status of Women in FijiInstitutions, Government Policies, and ProgramsLegislative developmentConcluding Comments and RecommendationsReferences

Research paper thumbnail of Institutions, good governance and economic growth in the Pacific Island countries

International Journal of Social Economics, Oct 17, 2008

PurposeThe main purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the main institutional and gov... more PurposeThe main purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the main institutional and governance issues facing the Pacific Island countries (PIC) and to point out how they affect their economic performance. The paper also provides a description of the key characteristics of the PIC and points out why these characteristics may present special challenges to achieving sustainable levels of growth.Design/methodology/approachThis paper discusses the issues of governance, institutions and economic growth in the PICs.FindingsThe main conclusion of the paper is that PICs would have to align their policies so that appropriate and better economic integration is achieved not only regionally but also globally.Practical implicationsThis paper allows policy makers to take note of the main issues in governance and institution building.Originality/valueThis paper provides policymakers and scholars an overview of the institutional and governance issues facing the PICs.

Research paper thumbnail of Politics of race and poverty in Fiji

International Journal of Social Economics, May 1, 2004

The results of the 1999 and 2001 general election seem to suggest that the Indo‐Fijian community ... more The results of the 1999 and 2001 general election seem to suggest that the Indo‐Fijian community in Fiji voted on the issues of poverty, unemployment and lack of opportunities amongst the Indo‐Fijian community. The Indo‐Fijian community, since the military coups of 1987 and more recently in May 2000, has increasingly felt marginalised by the Indigenous Fijian led governments. The expiry of land leases and the lack of opportunities for many of them in both the rural and urban areas are a source of increasing concern. Indian politicians are also raising these concerns in their struggle for political and economic rights for the community. Based on a national survey data this article examines some of these concerns. It analyses the extent of concern about poverty, unemployment and lack of basic facilities such as water, housing and electricity among the community and draws conclusion for the future of Indo‐Fijian political and economic rights.