by kam42 Nov 19, 2023 | Uncategorized
This interactive visualizations offer detailed comparison of governance, economic conditions, and social stability in Canada, Saudi Arabia, and Syrian Arabic Republic from 2003 to 2021. The analysis begins with a look at corruption control, where Canada exhibits consistent strength in governance. This is visually represented in our map by lighter regions indicating lower inflation, emphasizing Canada’s economic stability. Where also in the third visual, it is shown the absence of terrorism and violence acts.
Turning to Saudi Arabia, its control of corruption is less stringent compared to Canada. This is reflected in the map, where Saudi Arabia is depicted with a darker color than Canada, indicating higher inflation rates. Additionally, in our bar chart analysis of the absence of violence, Saudi Arabia falls into the negative region, suggesting the presence of some violence and instability.
The situation in Syria, especially after the war began in 2011, shows a stark difference. Governance control deteriorates , mirrored by the country’s severe inflation and diminishing peace and stability. The map distinctly shows Syria in darker shades, signifying high inflation levels. Furthermore, in the bar chart measuring the absence of terrorism and violence, Syria is deeply entrenched in the negative area, highlighting the extensive violence and unrest prevalent in the country.
Through this comparative study, we delve into how governance quality is intricately linked to economic health and societal peace. Our findings resonate with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 16, which advocates for peaceful, just, and strong institutions. This analysis not only sheds light on the varying situations in these three countries but also emphasizes the critical need for governance systems that nurture economic and social stability, crucial for achieving sustainable development as envisioned in the SDGs by 2030.
by csc04 Nov 18, 2023 | Dashboard
In the middle of European crisis, a silent re-alignment of two emerging Asian giants is taking shape. This would force major changes in world politics and strategic scenarios.
For those who didn’t hear about it before, Spice route is actually the name of the historic road that was used to transport Indian spices and spices products to ME, Africa and Europe.
Similar to its rival, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) (aka Silk Road) led by China, the Spice Route (aka IMEC: India-Middle East-Europe Corridor) aims to establish an economic corridor connecting India to Europe via West Asia through a network of sea and rail links. One of the main objectives is to bring economic benefits, prosperity and growth to countries along this route. Aligned with the ambitious economic corridor goals announced at the G20 in September 2023, this initiative seeks to contribute to the UN’s Vision 2030 by achieving Sustainable Development Goal 16.
Contrary to expectations, the same objectives were announced for the Silk Road. However, upon closer examination of each country along this corridor, it becomes evident that, rather than achieving the goal of significantly reducing violence and related death rates (Target 16.1), the region has witnessed an escalation in conflicts. Conflict-related deaths per 100,000 populations (Indicator: 16.1.2) have notably risen over the past two decades. Ongoing and new violent conflicts globally pose a significant challenge to the achievement of SDG 16, with a quarter of humanity residing in conflict-affected areas.
Again, historically the data proves that instead of promoting sustainable development, there has been a concerning trend of increased military expenditures among the involved nations:
As showing in the historical data, China has increased its military expenditure the most after 2006, followed by Russia, India and Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia & Iran has the highest military expenditure as % of general government expenditures
Saudi Arabia & Iran, India and China has very high military expenditure as % of GDP in 2022
Having the impact of silk road in the back of our mind, do you think that the spice route will help the involved countries in achieving the desired sustainable development?
While aspiring for a peaceful corridor, the memory of the Beirut port blast remains fresh, prompting us to question the potential ramifications of the ambitious project announced during G20 summit. Additionally, the timing of events like the Armenia, Ukraine and lately Gaza wars raises concerns about the relation between economic initiatives and geopolitical tensions.
To meet SDG 16 by 2030, immediate action is imperative. The UN and its members, especially dominant regional and international players, must work collectively to restore trust, strengthen institutional capacities, and ensure justice for all. This collaborative effort is essential to facilitate transitions and drive sustainable development as announced at the G20 summit.
Read more about the topic:
https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/silk-route.asp
https://www.agbi.com/articles/india-middle-east-europe-corridor-to-revive-spice-route/
https://www.mei.edu/publications/geopolitical-and-geoeconomic-challenges-chinas-silk-road-strategy-middle-east
by han25 Nov 29, 2022 | Team Project
Contributors: Haidar Noureddine, Christy BouMansour, Haya Mouakeh, Jennifer Sabra, Hanine Charanek, Mohamad Kanj
The Downfall of the Lebanese Lira Abu Ali, a farmer living in Beqaa valley in Lebanon was facing problems with his apples crops after he was forced to cut the pesticides used because of the price increase after the Lebanese crisis.
The Lebanese Lira exchange rate decreased because the supply for dollar was not enough to match the demand, and the central bank did not have enough reserves to interfere and match it with the demand. The demand for dollars was mainly driven by the aim to complete imports transactions. Since 2002, the net trade balance was negative, and the deficit was growing, reaching very high levels to around $14 Billion in 2014. This means that imports were higher than exports, and so the dollars outflow was bigger than the inflow.
To maintain the exchange rate fixed, as it was the case earlier, Lebanon used to depend on two main sources for dollars inflow, net transfers sources, and financial account source. First, Lebanon used to depend on transfers which includes grants, loans, and personal remittances. The graph below shows that net transfers were bringing a significant amount of dollars. However, this source is very unstable. It is very fluctuating, and it depends highly on uncontrolled factors like the help from other countries that we can not control as shown in the graph.
The financial account consists mainly of Eurobonds, and investments in companies, and currency & deposits coming from abroad into the Lebanese banks. As shown, this account was a huge source for dollar inflow. However, again, it is very unstable, and very fluctuating. There are almost no two similar points that are equal. Further, it depends highly on uncontrolled factors. For example, after Iraq invasion, so many Iraqis transferred their money into the Lebanese banks, and so the dollar inflow increased, but this happened because an event that we do not have control over it.
These two accounts together were balancing the dollar demand needed from the imports. In cases of mismatch between dollar supply and demand, the central bank used to interfere by buying or selling dollars in the market to keep the exchange rate fixed. However, in 2018, we had the second largest BOP deficit as shown below, which means the second largest dollar shortage, but the central bank did not have enough reserves which caused the current crisis.
Solution
Saudi Arabia Now, since Saudi Arabia is infamous for its totally dry lands and a central region that is characterized by extremely hot and dry summers, it harbors a very limited agricultural sector and thus heavily relies on importing olive oil as well as basic produce. We should make use of the current improving relationship between Saudi Arabia and Lebanon and prioritize exportation to this country due to the low and reasonable shipping fees.
1-Olive oil The olive oil market in Saudi Arabia needs a lot of importation as a change in dietary habits throughout the entire country has spurred the consumption of it. Saudi Arabia started importing about 30,000 tons annually while only producing 20% of its own olive oil, but that’s slowly changing as it’s heading towards an independent olive oil market realm that’ll eventually decrease the exports. We won’t focus on increasing the imports from Lebanon but on decreasing the shipping and customs fees that were introduced in June of 2020.
2-Apples As we mentioned above, a huge change in dietary habits and healthy eating have welcomed Saudi lifestyles, thus making produce, especially apples, way higher in demand. Lebanon exports apples to Saudi Arabia in relatively low quantities as opposed to other countries because of strict pesticide regulations. To increase the exports, we should introduce strict laws that modulate their usage.
3-Avocados Lebanon’s avocado exports were totally banned in Saudi Arabia because of drug smuggling fiascos, which led the Saudi government to enforce harsh consequences that will only be salvageable by an examining process that helps avoid any trials of smuggling drugs.
Cyprus
Cyprus makes a great exporter as well, as it only holds 14.52% of agricultural land that is extremely affected by small temperature inconsistencies. Our focus on Cyprus is mainly due to the distance from Lebanon, which is only 26 kilometers, making it extremely easy for shipments to move within those countries.
1-Olive oil The olive oil market in Cyprus is in a desperately high demand since the consumption of olive oil is three times greater than what the country produces. Because of this, we should encourage exports from Lebanon in a way that competes with both Germany and Spain, since they’re offering their olive oil at similar and lower prices.
2-Apples Considering Cyprus is one of the most countries with apple shortage, it exports most of its apple supply excluding Lebanon from its exportations because of a heavily regulated pesticide system, solving that issue requires us introducing strict pesticide laws, after that we can start exporting to Cyprus at the same rate and price that we export to Turkey.
3-Avocados Because of the free trade agreement between European countries, Lebanon is unable to compete equally with European countries at exporting avocados, yet we are able to compete with Egypt, which offers a lower price. To solve this, we can try and export at a lower price than Egypt.
