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This paper proposes that strong financial, judicial, and labor market institutions provide comparative advantage in clean industries, and thereby improve a country’s environmental quality. Five complementary tests support this hypothesis. First, industries that depend on institutions are disproportionately clean. Second, strong institutions increase relative exports in clean industries, even conditional on environmental regulation and factor endowments. Third, an industry’s complexity helps explain the link between institutions and clean goods. Fourth, a quantitative general equilibrium model indicates that strengthening a country’s institutions decreases its pollution through relocating dirty industries abroad, though increases pollution in other countries. Fifth, cross-country differences in the composition of output between clean and dirty industries explain more of the global distribution of emissions than differences in the techniques used for production do. The comparative advantage that strong institutions provide in clean industries gives one under-explored reason why developing countries have relatively high pollution levels.

We analyze trade specialization dynamics in Botswana, applying the Galtonian regression and Markov matrix on the Lafay index for the period of 1998 to 2019. Galtonian regressions reveal de-specialization – Botswana gained a comparative advantage in industries for which it was initially not specialized and became less competitive in industries for which it was initially specialized. The industry hierarchy was altered only slightly due to persistence in trade specialization patterns. The Markov matrix reveals stronger upward industry mobility than downward industry mobility. De-specialization suggests slow-paced economic diversification, induced by import substitution in de-specialized industries, rather than by an expanding export base. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peanut is rich in edible vegetable oil and protein, which is one of the important sources of edible vegetable oil in China. To clarify the relative advantages of peanut production in various cities and to optimize the layout of peanut production and further improve the total production capacity of oil crops in Henan Province, we analyzed the spatiotemporal evolution characteristics of peanuts by using concentration and comparative advantage based on the production data of oil crops in Henan Province since 2001. Annual peanut yield showed an increase of 1.09 times in 2001-2022, accounted for 73.6% -90.7% of the total oil crop production in Henan Province. Since 2001, the distribution of peanuts had become more concentrated, with Nanyang and Zhumadian ranking among the top two production regions in the province. The concentration ratio (CR2) steadily increased from 28.1% to 53.0%. The peanut efficiency advantage indices of Nanyang, Zhoukou and Shangqiu were 1.031.35, 1.03-1.31 and 0.97-1.35, respectively. Nanyang, Zhumadian and Kaifeng had relatively obvious scale advantages, with the indices of 1.07-1.91, 1.56-2.14 and 1.39-1.83, respectively. In 2001-2022, Kaifeng had the comprehensive advantage index of 1.12-1.50 in peanut production. Over the same period, the advantage index rose from 1.08 to 1.41 in Nanyang, and increased from 0.81 to 1.44 in Zhumadian. As the most important oil crop in Henan Province, peanuts displayed a concentrated distribution trend. Nanyang and Zhumadian were the two core peanut production areas in Henan Province, with the peanut yield accounting for more than half of that in Henan Province. Kaifeng had obviously comprehensive advantages in peanut production, which however mainly relied on its prominent planting scale. In addition, both Zhoukou and Shangqiu showed a high level of peanut yield per unit area, but the relatively reduced planting areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Biological Market Models are common evolutionary frameworks to understand the maintenance of mutualism in mycorrhizas. ‘Surplus C’ hypotheses provide an alternative framework where stoichiometry and source–sink dynamics govern mycorrhizal function. A critical difference between these frameworks is whether carbon transfer from plants is regulated by nutrient transfer from fungi or through source–sink dynamics. In this review, we: provide a historical perspective; summarize studies that asked whether plants transfer more carbon to fungi that transfer more nutrients; conduct a meta‐analysis to assess whether mycorrhizal plant growth suppressions are related to carbon transfer; and review literature on cellular mechanisms for carbon transfer. In sum, current knowledge does not indicate that carbon transfer from plants is directly regulated by nutrient delivery from fungi. Further, mycorrhizal plant growth responses were linked to nutrient uptake rather than carbon transfer. These findings are more consistent with ‘Surplus C’ hypotheses than Biological Market Models. However, we also identify research gaps, and future research may uncover a mechanism directly linking carbon and nutrient transfer. Until then, we urge caution when applying economic terminology to describe mycorrhizas. We present a synthesis of ideas, consider knowledge gaps, and suggest experiments to advance the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nutmeg encounters challenges in productivity, quality, climate change, Covid-19 disruptions, and stagflation, requiring efforts to enhance competitiveness and meet global market demands. This study aims to analyze Indonesian nutmeg trade performance, assess competitive advantage, and formulate essential strategies to increase its competitiveness. Using comprehensive mixed quantitative and qualitative analysis, methods include export-import market share analysis, CAGR, import dependency ratio, import-to-export ratio, RCA, RSCA, RTA, and SWOT/QSPM analysis. The data obtained from in-depth interviews with key stakeholders was used for formulating strategies enhancing nutmeg's competitiveness. The findings underscore Indonesia's significant dominance in the global nutmeg market, with a considerable 61.6% market share but its export growth rate for nutmeg was less than the import annual growth. The competitiveness indicators demonstrated a robust comparative advantage of Indonesian nutmeg trade in the global market, especially for products categorized as "nutmeg, neither crushed nor ground" and "nutmeg, crushed or ground". Indonesian also has comparative advantage among other exporter countries. Crucial strategies of internal and external perspectives, such as expanding markets, improving nutmeg quality and productivity through improving farmer capacity, technological adoption, and good agricultural practices are necessary to take into account Indonesia's nutmeg competitiveness in global markets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationship between China (PRC) and the United States (USA) has reached an unprecedented level of tension, mainly due to economic and technological rivalry. This study introduces an original quantitative method, the Pentagon of Technological Competitiveness of Economy (PTCE) to measure the technological competitiveness of both countries from 2000 to 2020. The findings reveal that while the USA remains a global technological leader, the PRC is emerging as a formidable challenger. Although the USA still holds the lead, signs of decline are visible, while the PRC exhibits a remarkable upward trajectory in technological competitiveness. The findings provide actionable recommendations for policymakers. To reinforce its position as the unrivaled technological leader, the USA should prioritize enhancing capabilities in areas such as patents, scientific articles and the export of high technology and STEM-related products. For the PRC there is an unprecedented opportunity to surpass the USA in technological leadership by strategic investments in research, innovation and human capital development. The novelty of this research lies in two main areas: (i) its significant contribution to competitiveness analysis through the introduction of the PTCE method and (ii) its provision of a comprehensive assessment of the shifting technological dynamics between the USA and the PRC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We analyze the evolution of comparative advantage in 1240 products from 49 low- and middle-income countries between 1995 and 2015. Countries with high education levels were more successful in developing comparative advantage in products unrelated to those they already exported. • Countries did not develop comparative advantage in products that were intrinsically complex or education-intensive. These results are robust to corrections for specification errors, for institutional, infrastructure, and FDI-related factors, for regional specialization patterns, for key shifts in global trade rules, and for each economy's degree of industrial dynamism prior to 1995. • The key role of education when seeking to develop new industries is to help a country learn to escape path dependence by managing unfamiliar challenges. We analyze the evolution of comparative advantage in 1,240 products from 49 low- and middle-income countries between 1995 and 2015. We show that countries with high education levels were more successful in developing comparative advantage in products unrelated to those they already exported. This effect is strongest for non-core products. In contrast, these countries did not develop comparative advantage in products that were intrinsically complex or education-intensive. These results are robust to corrections for specification errors, for institutional, infrastructure, and FDI-related factors, for regional specialization patterns, for key shifts in global trade rules, and for each economy's degree of industrial dynamism prior to 1995. These findings suggest that the key role of education when seeking to develop new industries is to help a country learn to manage unfamiliar challenges, and so overcome path dependence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an analysis of structural transformation with respect to the CARICOM region's export sophistication and diversification dynamics. Trends in the data indicate that CARICOM, in relation to other country groups, has the lowest number of active export lines. The region also has a low number of commodities with comparative advantage, and an almost negligible number of highly sophisticated exports. The factors affecting export diversification were also evaluated in relation to resource and factor endowments, the regulatory environment and the degree of technical progress. The overall results, from a global perspective, indicate that countries which are technically advanced tend to have a higher degree of export diversification while resource reliant economies are shown to be less diversified. In terms of CARICOM, structural factors and technical progress significantly explain diversification, however as the ease of doing business improves, these countries tend to become more specialized therefore highlighting the tendency to focus on sectors in which they are relatively strong given their factor endowments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to the general consensus in academia, Ricardo's theory of international trade embodies the theory of comparative advantage. The principle of comparative advantage he proposed, based on the model of physical trade and employing comparative cost analysis, holds that comparative advantage rather than absolute advantage forms the basis of the international division of labor and of international trade, and is thus the negation of Smith's theory of absolute advantage. However, a complete examination of Ricardo's theory of international trade shows that the comparative advantage determined by Ricardo on the basis of comparative cost analysis is precisely the absolute advantage of intra-sector competition across countries in physical trade. Moreover, Ricardo also established a monetary model compatible with his understanding of physical trade. This monetary model, which has generally been ignored by academics, and especially by those adhering to the mainstream, i.e., the neoclassical theory of comparative advantage, is in line with the principle of absolute advantage. In particular, Ricardo emphasized the decisive role of exogenous technological progress in altering positions of advantage. The present analysis, however, shows equally that what the neoclassical theory of comparative advantage actually proves is still absolute advantage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper computes Balassa's index of revealed comparative advantage for machinery and equipment (a rough proxy for high-tech goods) for a number of emerging areas (East Asia, South-East Asia, South Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East) and for selected individual countries over some 50 years, from the early 1970s to the early 2020s. The focus is on why some economies were successful in promoting high-tech sectors. As could be expected, experience differs hugely. In some countries, interventionist trade or industrial policies were crucial in fostering comparative advantage. In others, however, the role of policies appears to have been minor and successes were achieved thanks to the free play of market forces (including an important contribution, at least in some countries, coming from foreign direct investment). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: China is the world's largest producer and consumer of vegetables, with all provinces, cities, and autonomous regions cultivating vegetables. The main production areas for winter and spring vegetables have higher accumulated temperatures, allowing for multiple planting seasons throughout the year. Therefore, this article examines the competitiveness of vegetable production in China's main winter and spring vegetable producing areas from the perspective of the dynamic evolution of comparative advantages. Methods: Drawing on statistical data from 2000 to 2018 on the development of the vegetable industry in these key provinces, our analysis incorporates methods such as the Resource Endowment Coefficient, the Comprehensive Comparative Advantage Index, the entropy method, and systematic cluster analysis to explore the evolution of competitive advantages in vegetable production across various provinces and cities. Results and discussion: The findings reveal significant regional disparities in resource endowments and overall advantages in vegetable production during the winter and spring seasons. Notably, Chongqing, Hubei Province, and Shanghai exhibit a Resource Endowment Factor (EF) averaging above 1, indicating a relative abundance of production resources and a comparative advantage. Similarly, Hainan Province, the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Guangdong Province, Fujian Province, Shanghai, and Zhejiang Province each demonstrate an average Comprehensive Advantage Index (AAI) exceeding 1, affirming their comprehensive comparative strengths. Overall, the competitiveness of vegetable production in these regions exhibits a fluctuating yet ascending trend, with notable disparities in competitive strengths across different areas. The ranking of annual average competitiveness scores in vegetable production is as follows: Shanghai > Zhejiang > Hubei > Hunan > Guangdong > Sichuan > Chongqing > Fujian > Guangxi > Jiangxi > Hainan > Yunnan. Based on these outcomes, the study proposes tailored strategic recommendations for provinces and cities according to their unique resource endowments and comparative advantages, aiming to enhance the sector's productivity and competitive stance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to evaluate changes in Italy's competitiveness in the global wood products market, with a particular focus on wooden furniture and wood panels, both final and intermediate products of the crucial wooden furniture supply chain. The analysis is conducted through a cross-country comparison using trade flow matrices and various descriptive indices: Market Share, Trade Competitiveness Index, Balassa's Revealed Comparative Advantage Index, and the Symmetric Balassa Index. Furthermore, this study also examines intra-industry trade using the Grubel–Lloyd Index. While each index has its limitations when used individually, their combined analysis can provide a more comprehensive view. The study covers the period from 1996 to 2019, using data from FAO and COMTRADE sources. The results show that Italy maintains a significant position in the international furniture market, although this position has deteriorated over time. Conversely, Italy remains a net importer of wood panels. Trade flows have become more concentrated, with Canada and Germany still holding importance in the international market. However, Asian countries have now become the core of the commercial network. China has emerged as the leading exporting country in all product categories considered, with Vietnam and Malaysia also increasing in importance. Noteworthy progress has also been recorded by Russia and Poland in Europe. Additionally, the study discusses the implications of these findings for rural development, particularly in regions dependent on the wood-product sectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exploring the evolution of the production patterns of major crops and their driving factors can provide new ideas to ensure the security of supply of important agricultural products. This study selected four major crop types in Jilin Province—grain, oil crop, vegetable, and fruit—as research subjects. Using the center of gravity migration model, spatial autocorrelation analysis, and comparative advantage index, the spatial and temporal evolution of these crops' production patterns from 2000 to 2020 was examined. A geographically weighted regression model was employed to analyze driving factors. The results showed that the planting area of grain was the most extensive; the percentage of production of grain, oil crop, and fruit increased to different degrees; the unit area yield of the four crops increased. The centers of gravity of all four crops' productions were located in the central-northwestern region of Jilin Province. The global Moran's I was positive for all four crops' productions. The comparative advantage characteristics of the four crops were closely related to the natural geographical environment. Grain, vegetable, and fruit production were significantly and positively correlated with fertilizer application, and the most significant factor affecting oil crop production was land input intensity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides an analysis of China's trade relations with Central and Eastern European Countries (CEEC), with a focus on Bosnia and Herzegovina (BIH), Bulgaria (BGR), Croatia (HRV), Romania (ROU), Serbia (SRB), and Slovenia (SVN). It underscores the fundamental principles of international trade and the reciprocal advantages arising from collaboration between China and these CEEC nations. The analysis explores economic indicators, including GDP, current account balance, merchandise exports and imports, and agricultural product trade. Additionally, the paper highlights the stable economic conditions in China, characterized by consistent interest rates and minimal consumer price index fluctuations. Building on the stable economic conditions in China, the paper emphasizes the potential for win-win collaboration without currency risk. It proposes a strategic partnership involving the supply of advanced financed machinery from China to CEEC nations in exchange for fixed quantities of crops. The objective is to cultivate mutual economic and technological growth within a dependable and predictable trade environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, international trade has evolved into international production fragmentation captured in GVCs. Countries must enhance intermediate exports in comparative advantage sectors to increase their trade in value-added (TVA) in global production chains. However, traditional measurements of revealed comparative advantage (RCA) based on gross exports need to be updated due to overvaluation, double counting, and implicit distortions in international trade. This study uses a new comparative advantage measure, "new revealed symmetric comparative advantage" (NRSCA). Using a dynamic General Method of Moment (GMM) approach, we investigate the role of comparative advantage in driving TVA regarding backward and forward linkages and examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. We use data from the current Asian Development Bank multi-regional input–output database for 2010–2020. Our findings reveal that comparative advantage significantly impacted international TVA, along with the support of quality institutional services in each country. Implementing a new comparative advantage measure, NRSCA, provided accurate estimation results to overcome the overvaluation problem. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted value-added trade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Incorporating water footprints and virtual water into crop redistribution provides a new approach for efficient water resources utilization and synergistic development of water surplus and scarce regions. In this work, the absolute and comparative advantage of the production‐based blue and gray water footprint (PWFblue and PWFgray), the calorie‐based blue water footprint (CWFblue) and the net benefit‐based blue water footprint (NBWFblue) were used as coefficients to establish a bi‐level crop redistribution model. The mode considers upper‐level decision makers interested in maximizing food security and ecological security and lower‐level decision makers interested in water use efficiency, water use benefits and net benefits. The model was applied in the Hetao Irrigation District (HID), China. The results showed that after optimization, the PWFblue, CWFblue, NBWFblue, and gray water footprint (GWF) of the HID were reduced by 23.32%, 5.60%, 17.40%, and 6.67%, respectively. National benefits were improved, especially when considering synergistic optimization, although the net benefits of HID was affected. The calorie supply increased by 9.6 × 109 kcal, the GWF decreased by 8.29 × 106 m3, and water use efficiency and benefits were improved in China. In contrast, the calorie supply and the net benefits of the HID decreased, while the GWF increased. Moreover, multiple stakeholders were involved in crop redistribution and required national synergies. The bi‐level model proved more suitable than the multi‐objective model. The model proposed in this work considers synergies outside the region in crop redistribution within the region, and can provide new insight for water and soil resources management in arid and semi‐arid regions. Key Points: Virtual water flow embedded in optimization model reflecting comparative advantageAbsolute advantage and comparative advantage synergize interregional interestsBi‐level optimization model trade‐offs regional authority and sub‐regions [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the asymmetric link between carbon pricing and the comparative advantage in environmental goods exports in South Africa from 1995 to 2021. The non‐linear autoregressive distributed lag model is utilized to investigate the effects of both minor and major positive and negative fluctuations in carbon taxes, technological innovation, and energy transition on comparative advantage. The results reveal that carbon taxes have an asymmetric effect on comparative advantage in both the short and long runs, with positive shocks exerting a greater beneficial influence than negative shocks. Specifically, it is found that a 1% reduction in carbon taxes corresponds to a 1.24% decline in the response variable, whereas a 1% increase in carbon taxes is associated with a 2.72% increase in comparative advantage in environmental goods exports, which is twice as large. The study also uncovers evidence of an asymmetric relationship between low‐carbon technological innovation and comparative advantage in environmental goods exports. However, strong evidence of a long‐run asymmetric linkage between the energy transition and comparative advantage is not established. Nevertheless, it is noteworthy that a positive shift in energy transition is linked with a 0.32% rise in comparative advantage in environmental goods exports, whereas a negative shift in energy transition corresponds to a 0.11% decrease. The practical policy implications are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Agricultural Outlook (1673-3908) is the property of Institute of Agricultural Information, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Opportunities in the coconut industry are promising. However, several issues remain unresolved, including ageing coconut plants, shrinking land area, inaccessible technology for farmers, a lack of financing, uneven market absorption, and a dearth of diverse coconut products. This study aims to look at the impacts of government intervention on the comparative advantage of coconut farming in Malaysia. Scopus, the Web of Science, and Emerald were the three electronic databases that were searched for publications between 2010 and 2023 (i.e., a cumulative index to give an overview of the impacts of government intervention on the comparative advantage of coconut farming in Malaysia). Titles and abstracts were checked separately from the entire content. Furthermore, this review highlights that out of the twenty articles examined, no single article was authored in Malaysia. This suggests that there needs to be more research conducted in Malaysia on this subject. The analysed research demonstrates that government interventions can have both positive and negative effects on the comparative advantage of coconut farming. Supportive policies such as subsidies, research funding, and infrastructure development aimed at enhancing productivity and competitiveness can bolster Malaysia's position in the global coconut market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Logistics is an essential service for manufacturing because it supports the coordination and integration of global production activities, ultimately reducing costs and improving efficiency. However, it is not clear that the complex structural relationship between logistics and manufacturing under the Global Value chains (GVCs). Consequently, employing the input-output model, we develop the logistics input complexity (LIC) to capture the complex structural characteristics of logistics services embodied in manufacturing sectors and investigate its role in manufacturing comparative advantage. We find that the logistics input complexity can boost manufacturing competitiveness. Furthermore, we also confirm that the domestic and foreign groups of LIC have at least a partially complementary effect on the export competitiveness of manufacturing. Finally, we identify heterogeneity in the domestic and foreign groups’ five subdivision logistics modes of LIC. It suggests that logistics service providers must precisely match the related manufacturing production chains to cultivate a comparative advantage in manufacturing.

This study presents a model of North–South trade and development and investigates the growth rates of two countries under a trade pattern that the North specializes in investment goods while the South specializes in consumption goods. Many studies on North–South trade conclude that both countries' growth rates are equalized in the long run. Conversely, we show that if the ‘comparative advantage’ is explicitly considered, both countries' growth rates are not equalized in some cases and, hence, the South cannot catch up with the North even in the long run. Unlike many previous studies, we close the model by fixing each country's income distribution and making the price and quantity variables interdependent. Our results show that the growth rates of both countries are equalized in the long run if their trade patterns are fixed, irrespective of their comparative advantages, whereas their growth rates are not equalized in some cases if their trade patterns are determined by the comparative advantage principle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study employed various descriptive, conceptual, and empirical models to measure South Africa's competitiveness in the Asian strategic markets concerning its competitors from 2003 to 2022. The competitiveness measurements included relative comparative advantage, the net export index, relative trade advantage, and constant market share analysis. The data were sourced from official databases such as the World Bank, FAO, ITC, export potential map, and World Integrated Trade Solutions (WITS). The South African competitiveness of oranges in the specified strategic markets realized a positive competitive effect of 2.46%, indicating a gain in the market due to increased competitiveness of the fresh food sector in the world market. The RCA values were above 1, with most of the values closer to 20 indicating that South Africa has a good comparative advantage in the production of oranges. Egypt and Greece were the competitors, with average values of 16.9 and 19.7, respectively. The South African orange industry has positive export performance, with values close to 100, which indicates that the country is a net exporter of oranges and is experiencing a sustained comparative advantage. The RTA index values were mostly positive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Where and when does export-led growth work? This paper estimates the importance of inter-industry productivity spillovers for the export-led growth of developing countries. My empirical strategy is based on a standard quantitative trade model that features sector-level gravity in trade flows. Applying the framework to four decades of trade data, I find clear evidence of spillovers, which are larger for skill-intensive sectors. The estimates imply that patterns of sectoral specialization play a quantitatively important role in accounting for the slow convergence of labor productivity in tradable sectors. Quantitative exercises suggest that export-led growth works for poorer countries with an initial comparative advantage in manufacturing, as these countries can use foreign demand from richer countries to reallocate labor towards sectors with high spillovers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a conceptual and empirical framework to develop rural transformation strategies tailored to the agroecological potential and market access of rural areas in Pakistan. Such a framework allows to move away from stereotypical countrywide policies as in use in Pakistan and many other countries. Using publicly available geospatial measures of vegetation greenness and an urban gravity model to proxy the agricultural market demand, we classify Pakistan's rural districts into categories with similar comparative advantages and describe dominant livelihood activities. The framework recommends market-based approaches to support commercial agriculture or non-agriculture business development in well-connected areas and where households have accumulated human and physical capital. In areas with less developed agricultural potential or market access, households will benefit from area-based and community-driven development, skill development, and labor programs. Since data collection is often challenging in rural areas, statistical agencies can use such an empirical framework to advise policymakers on prioritizing public investments and tailoring rural transformation pathways. In addition, statistical agencies can also extend the framework at different levels of resolution, from national to local level, and complement it with primary data sources to validate the usefulness of the approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Izmir Journal of Economics is the property of Dokuz Eylul University, Faculty of Economics & Administrative Sciences and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper proposes a conceptual and empirical framework to develop rural transformation strategies tailored to the agroecological potential and market access of rural areas in Pakistan. Such a framework allows to move away from stereotypical countrywide policies as in use in Pakistan and many other countries. Using publicly available geospatial measures of vegetation greenness and an urban gravity model to proxy the agricultural market demand, we classify Pakistan's rural districts into categories with similar comparative advantages and describe dominant livelihood activities. The framework recommends market-based approaches to support commercial agriculture or non-agriculture business development in well-connected areas and where households have accumulated human and physical capital. In areas with less developed agricultural potential or market access, households will benefit from area-based and community-driven development, skill development, and labor programs. Since data collection is often challenging in rural areas, statistical agencies can use such an empirical framework to advise policymakers on prioritizing public investments and tailoring rural transformation pathways. In addition, statistical agencies can also extend the framework at different levels of resolution, from national to local level, and complement it with primary data sources to validate the usefulness of the approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For developing economies, exporting broadens the horizon for facilitating effective integration into the global economy and improving overall competitiveness. While small developing states are particularly at high risk given their fundamental characteristics, the expected impact of these exogenous shocks on small resource dependent economies are amplified given the high possibility of lower levels of diversification. This paper therefore assesses the determinants of exports and exporting potential of SIDS (small island developing states) with a focus on Caribbean resource-based countries. Using non resource exports, in an aggregate and disaggregate form, as the dependent variable, the traditional gravity model was augmented to include a revealed comparative advantage (RCA) index, the real effective exchange rate (REER) of the exporter and the export sophistication (EXPY) index. The main findings indicate that an appreciation of the REER has an inverse impact on exports of non-resource commodities and that trade according to comparative advantage and differences in export sophistication occurs mainly in the agricultural sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Efil Journal of Economic Research / Efil Ekonomi Araştırmaları Dergisi is the property of Efil Journal of Economic Research and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The relationship between China (PRC) and the United States (USA) has reached an unprecedented level of tension, mainly due to economic and technological rivalry. This study introduces an original quantitative method, the Pentagon of Technological Competitiveness of Economy (PTCE) to measure the technological competitiveness of both countries from 2000 to 2020. The findings reveal that while the USA remains a global technological leader, the PRC is emerging as a formidable challenger. Although the USA still holds the lead, signs of decline are visible, while the PRC exhibits a remarkable upward trajectory in technological competitiveness. The findings provide actionable recommendations for policymakers. To reinforce its position as the unrivaled technological leader, the USA should prioritize enhancing capabilities in areas such as patents, scientific articles and the export of high technology and STEM-related products. For the PRC there is an unprecedented opportunity to surpass the USA in technological leadership by strategic investments in research, innovation and human capital development. The novelty of this research lies in two main areas: (i) its significant contribution to competitiveness analysis through the introduction of the PTCE method and (ii) its provision of a comprehensive assessment of the shifting technological dynamics between the USA and the PRC.

Indonesia is one of the largest palm oil producers in the world. The palm oil industry must look at the market competition map, starting from competing countries and other export opportunities to absorb palm oil products to increase state revenues. This paper analyzes the new challenges and opportunities for Crude Palm Oil (CPO) in Indonesia in international trade. Analytical tools were Revealed Comparative Advantage (RCA), Revealed Symmetric Comparative Advantage (RSCA), Dynamic Product Export and X-model Potential Export. The results showed that Indonesian and Malaysian palm oil commodities obtained an RCA value of more than 1 and an RSCA value of close to 1. Indonesia is more competitive than Malaysia. The X-model showed that Indonesian CPO market share optimism is only in India and the rest is less potent. Malaysian CPO market share also has less potential. Therefore, Indonesia’s new challenges are export tariffs, obstructed access, insufficient downstream production and a black campaign. The opportunity for participation in the CPO export market is only in India compared to Malaysia, which has less potential. The two countries have less potential in destinations such as the Netherlands, USA, China and Kenya. Indonesia can take external policies by establishing cooperation with export destination countries, such as trade agreements, so that information about Indonesian palm oil is well received. Meanwhile, internal policies strengthen domestic downstream industry policies, such as the food, health, and renewable energy industries, to strengthen the domestic economy and improve the welfare of Indonesian palm oil farmers.

The research aims to analyze the economic implications of the State's policy in the production and marketing of wheat crops in Nineveh governorate (Mosul and Telkaif judiciary) by comparing private and social prices by adopting the method of the policy analysis matrix and calculating the standards derived from there. The study results showed that the protection measures showed that there was government support and subsidization for producers of this crop. This is apparent when examining the nominal protection coefficient figures for output per dunum (1.322, 1.370, 1.310 and 1.327) for each of the three categories and the entire sample, respectively. Nominal input protection coefficient values were per dunum (0.486, 0.436, 0.487 and 0.474) for each of the three categories and the entire sample, respectively. The comparative advantage indicators showed that the crop in Nineveh governorate (Mosul and Telkaif judiciary) had a comparative advantage and global competitiveness to produce, The value of the special cost ratio per dunum (0.284, 0.318, 0.319 and 0.316) for each of the three categories and the entire sample respectively. The study recommends increasing government support for crops that have a comparative advantage in their production and are globally competitive to achieve self-sufficiency and then reach the export stage.

The study was carried out to analyze the competitiveness and comparative advantage of rice production in Katsina state. A total of 196 farmers were sampled using a multi-stage sampling technique. Both primary and secondary data were utilized in the study. The primary data was collected using a structured questionnaire by trained enumerators, while the secondary data on international market prices were collected from various government and non-governmental agencies. Policy Analysis Matrix (PAM), Profit share analysis and farm budgeting techniques were used for data analysis. The result of the financial profitability analysis revealed that a typical rice farmer earned an average revenue and profit of ₦663,799.25/ha and ₦322,356/ha, respectively. The result of the Policy Analysis Matrix (PAM) indicator (Domestic Resource Cost) showed that the farmers had a comparative advantage in rice production by having a ratio of less than one (0.46). Similarly, the percentage of the Unit Cost Domestic index (UCD) and Unit Cost Export index (UCX) for the farmers were less than 0.51 and 0.57, respectively, showing that the farmers were competitive in domestic and international markets. The Effective Protection Coefficient (EPC) ratio of greater than one showed that the farmers were positively affected by the government's agricultural policies. It was recommended that the current combined trade policies in the rice sector should be sustained to strengthen the comparative advantage and increase the competitiveness of the local rice.

This paper shows relative price competition based on comparative advantage leads to diversified production and complex trade patterns with complete specialization unlikely for many countries and goods. Focused on models with three and four countries and goods, the present analysis starts with the extreme countries in each relative price ranking trading those two goods. The terms of trade determine the directions of trade for middle countries in each ranking. The potential trade patterns prove realistic with multiple exports, nontraded goods, nontrading countries, separate trade groups, and two-way trade with exports and imports of the same good. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the balance between environmental sustainability and economic development in the context of the Yangtze River Economic Belt (YEB) in China, a region pivotal to the country's industrial and environmental strategy. Utilizing New Structural Economics and the congruence index, we assessed the alignment between the local factor endowment structure and firm production input structure. Using the dataset of pollutant emissions from manufacturing firms in the YEB and focusing on key variables such as Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) emissions and wastewater emissions, our findings indicate that firms with higher congruence demonstrate enhanced economic performance and alignment with comparative advantages. This alignment not only improves economic efficiency but also results in significantly reduced pollutant emissions, with a higher congruence index correlating with approximately 6.66% lower COD emissions and 5.39% reduced wastewater emissions per unit of industrial output. These findings offer valuable insights for policymakers and businesses, showing how alignment with local factor endowments can lead to mutually beneficial environmental and economic outcomes. The study contributes to the broader literature on environmental sustainability and economic development by demonstrating the practical application of New Structural Economics in a critical industrial region of China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crop production plays an important role in social and economic development. Exploiting the comparative advantages of major crop types has a profound effect on improving crop production. However, studies on these comparative advantages and their influencing factors are few. Here, the temporal variation characteristics of main crop types in Chongqing City from 1985 to 2021 were analyzed. The comparative advantages of these crop types were also evaluated, and the main factors that influenced them were determined using ordinary least square model. Results demonstrated that the temporal variation characteristics of sown area and comparative advantages in scale of six crop types in Chongqing City from 1985 to 2021 had obvious difference. The sown area of hemp crops showed the most variation among the six crop types. Tobacco, vegetable, and hemp crops had comparative advantages in scale in Chongqing City. GDP, pesticide usage, per capita disposable income of rural residents, agricultural film used, relative humidity, and atmospheric pressure were the major factors influencing the comparative advantages of the six crop types in Chongqing City from 1985 to 2021. These findings are useful for adjustment and optimization of planting structure, crop production management, and sustainable development of agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]