Info Englisch
UNU-WIDER invites to its Annual Conference 2013 with the important theme "Learning to Compete: Industrial Development and Policy in Africa" (see the Link for paper submissions: http://www.wider.unu.edu/home/news/en_GB/call-for-papers-l2c/). It is an international conference held in the context of a collaborative research program (see the Link: http://www.wider.unu.edu/research/current-programme/en_GB/L2C-2010/).
Economics Professor Karl Wohlmuth works on similar lines. He has recently researched on strategies for converting comparative advantages into competitive advantages in Africa's agro-industry sectors (Link: http://www.iwim.uni-bremen.de/Agro-IndustrialDevelopment.htm). As a further project in this context, the planned volume 17 (for 2014) of the African Development Perspectives Yearbook will cover some of these issues under the umbrella title of Africa's Progress in Regional and Global Economic Integration (Links to the Yearbook Project: http://www.iwim.uni-bremen.de/african_developm_.htm and http://www.iwim.uni-bremen.de/africa/about.htm).
Soon after the conclusion of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement for Sudan (CPA) on January 9, 2005 the Research Project "Governance and Social Action in Sudan" started at IWIM, University of Bremen. It was directed by Professor Karl Wohlmuth and Dr. Elke Grawert. It was the purpose of the Project to follow up the process of transition after the CPA towards reconstruction of governance at various levels of decision-making, and thereby to analyze the conditions for development and a sustainable peace. A network of researchers from universities in Sudan, South Sudan, Kenya, Ethiopia and staff from IWIM, University of Bremen were involved. The Project was the first one approved in the context of the Volkswagen Foundation's new Sub-Saharan Africa Research Initiative, and it got generous support during two project phases (Links: http://www.iwim.uni-bremen.de/africa/Sudanforschung.htm and http://www.karl-wohlmuth.de/governance_and_social_action_in_sudan/Governance.htm). The Project had also a training component as PhD students and Master students were trained. By research workshops in Bremen and in all the other Project Countries the students were trained to do field research in and near the conflict areas (such as refugee camps, conflict areas, border areas, etc.).
Many publications were released by the project professors and by the project students. Considerable human capital was built and a future-oriented network of research partnerships has emerged. The trained young professionals are now starting their own research projects and use intensively the network that was established during these seven years of cooperative researches.
Now the Final Report to the Volkswagen Foundation was released by the Project Coordinator Dr. Elke Grawert. She is now Research Coordinator at the Bonn International Center for Conversion/BICC in Bonn. The Report will be released to the Public quite soon. Economics Professor Karl Wohlmuth from IWIM continues his researches on Sudan/South Sudan with a New Project on "Economic Cooperation between Sudan and South Sudan". There was a rather smooth process towards a Referendum on Independence of South Sudan on January 9, 2011 and towards the official Declaration of Independence of South Sudan on July 9, 2011. However, since these days the relations between the two states have deteriorated to the extent that now - over more than a year starting in January 2012 - the oil production in South Sudan had been stopped because of accusations of unfair treatment by the partner. The oil is produced near the international border in the South Sudan but the infrastructure of Sudan is needed for transport and processing towards export via Port Sudan. Both states now suffer from huge losses of public revenues and foreign exchange despite of the nine September 2012 agreements in Addis Ababa about all the open security, border and finance issues. A Strategic Economic Cooperation is needed between the two countries as the border regions of the two states are of extremely great economic importance for Sudan and South Sudan (Links: http://www.iwim.uni-bremen.de/EconomicPoliciesInSudan.htm and http://www.iwim.uni-bremen.de/forschung/forsch-sudan.htm).
Back to J. M. Keynes in Regulating International Commodity Markets: A Note
There is now increasing attention given to transparency of international commodity markets. Voluntary initiatives like EITI (Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative) and PWYP (Publish What You Pay) have a role to play although these initiatives are limited in coverage and effectiveness. New legal initiatives now play an increasing role, especially in the USA and in the EU, so as to increase the transparency of all types of payments by large and transnational raw materials-producing corporations to governments in developing countries, especially of countries with weak institutional contexts. In the USA the legal initiative is working along the Dodd-Frank Act of financial sector reforms and in the EU it is working along the proposed transparency and accounting orders.
However, the particular features, problems and complexities of international raw materials markets (with elements such as market cycles, market failures, market power, and market restrictions) cannot be addressed by these voluntary initiatives and the mentioned legal moves. Also, the complete lack of regulation of the international raw materials markets is a fundamental problem, for developing countries (suffering, for example, from resource curse and from export restrictions) and for developed countries (suffering, for example, from irregular and insecure supplies and from various forms of decisions under corruption).
The famous economist J. M. Keynes has more than 60 years ago proposed a regulation of international commodity markets in the context of an International Trade Organization (ITO). Although this project never materialized, the proposals have increasing relevance again now. There is however no chance to revitalize such ideas as an ITO in the current world economy context, but even in the context of WTO and GATT rulings some meaningful provisions and waivers can be incorporated so as to regulate some crucial aspects of the international commodity markets.
In a Note Back to J. M. Keynes in Regulating International Commodity Markets Professor Karl Wohlmuth addresses these issues in the form of Guidelines highlighting ten major issues why "moving back to Keynes" is important for regulating international commodity markets (see Publications: http://www.iwim.uni-bremen.de/publikationen/pub-wohlmuth.htm).
Unter diesem Titel fand kürzlich eine Podiumsdiskussion im Haus der Wissenschaft in Bremen statt, an der auch Frau Professor Dr. Edda Müller, die Vorsitzende von Transparency International Deutschland und Professor Dr. Karl Wohlmuth von der Universität Bremen teilnahmen (vgl. das Programm der Veranstaltung anlässlich des Antikorruptionstages und die Presseerklärung von Transparency International Bremen). Moderiert wurde die Podiumsdiskussion von Herrn Theo Schlüter, Radio Bremen. Professor Wohlmuth betonte, dass die diversen freiwilligen Transparenzinitiativen (z. B. EITI/Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, PWYP/Publish What You Pay) und die gültigen bzw. vorgesehenen gesetzlichen Transparenzregelungen (wie etwa im Frank-Dodd-Act in den USA verankert bzw. für die EU im Rahmen der Transparenz- und Buchungsrichtlinien vorgesehen) wohl bedeutsam sind, aber zur Regulierung der internationalen Rohstoffmärkte nur sehr bedingt beitragen können. Mehr ist nötig, insbesondere eine Rückbesinnung auf J. M. Keynes und seine Vorschläge zur Regulierung der internationalen Rohstoffmärkte, die er vor mehr als 60 Jahren im Zusammenhang mit der seinerzeit vorgeschlagenen Gründung einer Internationalen Handelsorganisation (ITO/International Trade Organisation) machte. Viele seiner konkreten Vorschläge sind nach wie vor aktuell und können teilweise auch über Waivers und andere Instrumente im WTO/GATT-System verwirklicht werden.
Die Teilnehmer an der Podiumsdiskussion (von links):
Prof. Dr. Karl Wohlmuth, Universität Bremen
Dr. Heidi Feldt, Entwicklungs- und Menschenrechtsexpertin
Theo Schlüter, Moderator, Radio Bremen
Stephan Werner, Portfoliomanager Rohstoffe, DWS
Annemieke Wijn, Nachhaltigkeitsexpertin Anchor Consult, früher General Manager Kraft Foods
Prof. Dr. Edda Müller, Vorsitzende Transparency International Deutschland e.V.
Auf dem Foto (von links):
Prof. Dr. Karl Wohlmuth, Universität Bremen
Dr. Heidi Feldt, Entwicklungs- und Menschenrechtsexpertin
Theo Schlüter, Moderator, Radio Bremen
Die Podiumsdiskussion wurde unter dem Titel "Korruption und Spekulation - Ursachen für viel Armut" von Radio Bremen/Nordwestradio Unterwegs aufgezeichnet (vgl. den Link: http://www-origin.radiobremen.de/nordwestradio/sendungen/nordwestradio_unterwegs/kalender102_date-20121214.html).
A Unit of the forthcoming issue 16 of the African Development Perspectives Yearbook with the theme "Macroeconomic Policy Formation in Africa" is now finalized and will consider the economic causes, the recent developments and the perspectives of the "Arab Spring" countries like Egypt and Tunisia. While the international discussion centers on political and international relations issues, the economics of the background factors to these revolutions in Arab countries is largely neglected.
IWIM joined forces with institutions in the region, like UNESCWA (United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia) in Beirut, UNDP's Regional Center in Cairo and the Arab Planning Institute in Kuwait to make this Unit possible. Research Director Magda Kandil from ECES (Egyptian Center for Economic Studies) and Professor Karl Wohlmuth, University of Bremen will introduce into the Unit. Background studies and country case studies are presented in the Unit. An analysis of the socioeconomic causes of revolutions in "Arab Spring" countries, an overview of recent developments in "Arab Spring" countries, and a strategic framework for new economic policies in "Arab Spring" countries are presented.
Other Units of this forthcoming volume of the Yearbook cover new macroeconomic policy approaches and frameworks for African countries, macroeconomic policies of low income and post-conflict countries in Africa, and macroeconomic policies in WAMZ (West African Monetary Zone) countries with special emphasis on Nigeria. Also a Book Reviews/Book Notes Unit is included.
The Yearbook Project will continue with the theme "Africa's Progress in Regional and Global Economic Integration" as Volume 17 for 2014 (Link to the Project Website: http://www.iwim.uni-bremen.de/africa/about.htm and link to the website with the description of the past volumes: http://www.iwim.uni-bremen.de/africa/africanyearbook.htm).
Die sozioökonomischen Grundlagen und die Folgen des "Arabischen Frühlings":
Unter diesem Thema wurden für die Unit 2 (Teil 2) des neuen Afrika-Jahrbuchs mit dem Titel "Macroeconomic Policy Formation in Africa" einige Studien verfasst, sowohl Grundlagenstudien als auch Länderstudien für Ägypten und Tunesien. Während politologische und soziologische Studien sich dem Thema der Ursachen und der Folgen des "Arabischen Frühlings" intensiv widmen, sind ökonomische Studien dazu eher rar. Diese Lücke soll mit den Studien im neuen Afrika-Jahrbuch nun geschlossen werden.
Das IWIM hat bei der Erstellung dieser Studien mit wichtigen Institutionen in der Region kooperiert, um diese Unit möglich zu machen, so mit UNESCWA (United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia) in Beirut, dem UNDP Regional Center in Cairo und dem Arab Planning Institute in Kuwait. Research Director Magda Kandil vom ECES (Egyptian Center for Economic Studies) und Professor Karl Wohlmuth, Universität Bremen führen in einem Beitrag in diese Unit ein.
Andere Units des neuen Jahrbuchs behandeln neue makroökonomische Rahmenbedingungen und Politiken für afrikanische Länder, makroökonomische Politiken in Niedrigeinkommensländern und Post-Konflikt-Ländern, und makroökonomische Politiken in WAMZ (West African Monetary Zone)-Ländern, insbesondere für Nigeria. Auch eine Book Reviews/Book Notes-Unit ist vorgesehen.
Das Jahrbuch-Projekt wird mit dem Thema "Africa's Progress in Regional and Global Economic Integration" für den Band 17 (2014) fortgesetzt (vgl. den Link zur Website des Jahrbuch-Programms: http://www.iwim.uni-bremen.de/forschung/forsch-adpy.htm und den Link zur Seite mit einer Beschreibung der bisher erschienenen Bände: http://www.iwim.uni-bremen.de/africa/africanyearbook.htm).
This was the title of the plenary lecture given by Professor Karl Wohlmuth at the Sudan/South Sudan conference in Hermannsburg which took place from October 31-November 2, 2012 (Link Final Conference Programme). Professor Wohlmuth presented in his lecture five criteria for sound economies and sustainable economic policies in Sudan and South Sudan:
First, macroeconomic stability has to be provided. Because of the stop of oil production in January 2012 by the government of South Sudan the macroeconomic instability problems were even aggravated in both countries and they are still severe.
Second, a medium term public finance framework is needed for both countries, especially so because of the volatility of oil revenues and the low importance of non-oil exports. Such medium-term public finance frameworks are not in place, and there is no Permanent Fund/Permanent Income approach at work to smooth the expenditures from the oil revenues towards stabilization and long-term development objectives.
Third, a redirection of exports towards non-oil products is needed in both countries. However, the time since January 9, 2005 (Comprehensive Peace Agreement) was not used in the two countries for generating non-oil exports. Despite of the huge agricultural resources and the agro-industrial opportunities, both countries are large-scale food importers.
Fourth, effective social safety nets are needed to protect the poor and the poorest, but also the middle class which became impoverished in recent years, as the available rudimentary social safety systems have rather deteriorated. Public interventions in health and education sectors as well as towards the functioning of the labour market were highly inefficient and ineffective, and macroeconomic policies were not pro-poor.
Fifth, effective reductions of horizontal and vertical inequalities are requested but the reality in both states is that the regional imbalances and the income inequalities have rather increased. This has repercussions on political stability in both countries and on the perspectives of cooperation in the border-belt.
Professor Karl Wohlmuth at the opening of the Plenary Session on Economic Issues in Sudan and South Sudan
Professor Wohlmuth also commented on the Nine Agreements between the two countries from September 27, 2012 at Addis Ababa and on the future tasks to promote a strategic economic cooperation between Sudan and South Sudan. Five core programmes for a strategic economic cooperation were presented (see PDF Sudan-South Sudan-Conference Presentation). Other contributions to the Conference were made by the Chairman of the Anti-Corruption Commission in Juba, South Sudan on the fight against corruption in South Sudan, by the General Secretary of SPLM/N on the situation in Darfur, South Kordofan, Blue Nile, and Khartoum by highlighting the perspectives for peaceful solutions. The former head of UNMIS in Juba spoke on national and regional challenges for the two states and the role of outsiders. The current situation of Abyei area was considered by a Member of the South Sudan Parliament representing Abyei in Juba.
Professor Karl Wohlmuth, University of Bremen, Justice John Gatwech Lul, Chairman of the Anti-Corruption Commission, Juba, South Sudan, and Marina Peter, Sudan Focal Point Europe and Conference Chair in a Plenary Discussion on Corruption in Sudan and South Sudan
The conference was attended by around 120 participants, among others by representatives of the civil society of Sudan and South Sudan, by regional and international church organizations and NGOs, by government organizations and ambassadors of Sudan and South Sudan, by media people and researchers on Sudan, by members of the German parliament, by the donor community, and by representatives from the SPLM/N speaking for ethnic and disadvantaged groups in South Kordofan and Blue Nile States. The Conference Communique (see Communique Hermannsburg Conference) presents a call for peace, reconciliation and good neighbourliness. The communique emphasizes also: "To avoid new conflicts and ensure sustainable peace, natural resource management and equitable sharing of resources should be a top priority at all levels in society starting from the bottom-up. Oil is a key element, but a sound economy needs to be built on diversified sources of income. A strategic approach for economic relations between Sudan and South Sudan, with a special focus on the border areas, could help to safeguard peace and good neigbourliness. However, a prerequisite is to immediately address the needs of the people, and the end of armed conflicts."
This Sudan/South Sudan Conference was the 25th in Hermannsburg which was directed by Marina Peter and Hermann Hartmann (see the leaflet informing about these 25 conferences: Leaflet Hermannsburg Conferences).
“Agribusiness for Africa’s Prosperity”: All UNIDO Project Books are now available as E-Books
Also the book with the African Country Case Studies on Agro-industry Development which is related to the main document “Agribusiness for Africa’s Prosperity” is now available as an E-Book. The Country Case Studies were conceived as background materials to the main document. The main document was published in English and in French. The three E-Books can be fully downloaded at: http://www.unido.org/index.php?id=1001692
At this website also other information about the project can be found, especially the Seven Development Pillars.
The books are presented particularly to the benefit of the members of the 3ADI (Accelerated Agribusiness and Agro-industries Development Initiative) and of policy advisers to African governments, especially the ministries of industry and trade being responsible for new industrialization steps. The website of 3ADI contains further information about the Project: http://www.3adi.org/Agribusiness_for_Africa_Prosperity
In a Video about the book “Agribusiness for Africa’s Prosperity” UNIDO Director General Dr. Kandeh K. Yumkella discusses the importance of the study for Africa: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C23tW_MjnFE.
Further information about the book is provided also in UNIDO’s quarterly magazine Making It: http://www.3adi.org/agribusiness_making_it
Professor Karl Wohlmuth has contributed to the Project since February 2008 as a Consultant, Author and Editor. In the African Development Perspectives Yearbook these issues were given attention quite regularly. See details on the various issues of the Yearbook: http://www.iwim.uni bremen.de/africa/africanyearbook.htm
Research Cooperation with Nigeria 2012 - 2013:
Professor Dr. Alabi is soon ending his research visit to IWIM, University of Bremen after a stay of three months financed by a Senior Research Fellowship by the Alexander von Humboldt-Foundation. Further researches are planned for the year 2013 in cooperation with Professor Karl Wohlmuth (see the Report by Professor Alabi and some of his already published studies to be accessed in the Blue Series Discussion Papers of IWIM).
Professor Dr. R. A. Alabi, Ekpoma, Nigeria
A study on An Analysis of the Impact of Foreign Aid on Nigeria: A Dynamic Specification is under Review and will then also be published in the Blue Series Discussion Papers of IWIM.
Zweite Auflage der UNIDO-Studie mit den Länderfallstudien zur Entwicklung von Agroindustrie und Agribusiness in Afrika ist erschienen:
Die zweite Auflage der UNIDO-Studie Agribusiness for Africa’s Prosperity - Country Case Studies ist eben erschienen. In acht Länderfallstudie (Äthiopien, Mali, Sambia, Kamerun, Nigeria, Senegal, Kenia und Südafrika), die meist von afrikanischen Wissenschaftlern und Wissenschaftlerinnen dieser Länder erstellt wurden, werden die Entwicklungen von Agroindustrie und Agribusiness untersucht. Es werden auch Vorschläge für eine umfassende Politikreform mit dem Ziel der Stimulierung des Sektors gemacht. In zwei zusammenfassenden Kapiteln werden von Professor Karl Wohlmuth, IWIM, Universität Bremen und Dr. Patrick Kormawa, Direktor für die Region Westafrika der UNIDO die wesentlichen Ergebnisse der Länderfallstudien zusammengefasst. Die Determinanten der Entwicklung des Sektors und die Perspektiven einer Politikreform zur Förderung des Sektors stehen dabei im Vordergrund. In einem Index der Transformation des Sektors werden die Erfolge bzw. Hemmnisse bei der Entwicklung des Sektors dargestellt.
Der Bremer Wirtschaftsprofessor Karl Wohlmuth arbeitet seit Februar 2008 an dem Projekt der UNIDO „Value Addition to Africa’s Industry“ mit.
Der gesamte Bericht mit den Länderfallstudien kann eingesehen werden über den Link:
http://www.unido.org/fileadmin/user_media/Services/Agro-Industries/Agribusiness/AAP_CCS_v4.pdf
Diese Studie mit den Länderanalysen ist ein Hintergrundbericht zu der umfassenden Grundlagenstudie Agribusiness for Africa’s Prosperity, die vom Generaldirektor der UNIDO, Dr. Kandeh Yumkella initiiert wurde. Auch diese Studie kann als E-Book in englischer und in französischer Sprache komplett eingesehen werden (vgl. Links unten).
Die Studie ist verfügbar als E-Book in englischer Sprache via:
und als E-Book in französischer Sprache via:
Diese drei Bücher sind gedacht als Inputs für die Politikreform in diesem Bereich in den afrikanischen Ländern und als Materialien für die Initiative 3ADI/Accelerated Agribusiness and Agro-industries Development Initiative (vgl. die relevanten Links zu dieser Initiative: http://www.3adi.org/ und http://www.3adi.org/tl_files/3ADIDocuments/Other%203ADI%20docs/briefing%20note%203adi%201103.pdf).