Asia & Pacific

"Land Grabbing" by Foreign Investors in Developing Countries: Risks and Opportunities
Increased pressures on natural resources, water scarcity, export restrictions imposed by major producers when food prices were high, and growing distrust in the functioning of regional and global markets have pushed countries short in land and water to find alternative means of producing food. These land acquisitions have the potential to inject much needed investment into agriculture and rural areas in poor developing countries, but they also raise concerns about the impacts on poor local people, who risk losing access to and control over land on which they depend. It is crucial to ensure that these land deals, and the environment within which they take place, are designed in ways that will reduce the threats and facilitate the opportunities for all parties involved.
15 March 2010

Dynamics of Structural Transformation: An Empirical Characterization in the Case of China, Malaysia, and Ghana
The paper develops a metric of structural transformation that can account for the production of new varieties of goods embodying advancements in technological know-how and design. The authors apply their measure to four-digit-level SITC trade data of China, Malaysia, and Ghana over the period 1962-2000 and discuss qualitatively the role of policies and institutions in spurring transformation in the three countries.
15 March 2010

Agricultural and Economic Development Strategies and the Transformation of China and India
China and India can both gain tremendously by learning from each other, as both nations still face a long road ahead. The lessons learned from the experiences of China and India are also of relevance to other developing countries and the fight against global hunger and poverty.
15 March 2010