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1002. Green growth and energy security Fossil-endowed middle-income countries at a crossroads
- Author:
- Louise Schaik Van and Louise Van Schaik
- Publication Date:
- 01-2017
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- Clingendael Netherlands Institute of International Relations
- Abstract:
- This policy brief synthesises the findings of political economy analyses (PEA) in the energy sector in three fossil-endowed middle-income countries (MICs): Colombia, Indonesia and Kenya. It is based on a research project on political economy constraints and enablers influencing governments’ decisions on green growth options in the energy sector, where policy directions for a robust green growth trajectory are explored.
- Topic:
- Energy Policy, Environment, and International Political Economy
- Political Geography:
- Kenya, Indonesia, and Colombia
1003. ASEAN as an FDI Attractor: How Do Multinationals Look at ASEAN?
- Author:
- Masahito Ambashi
- Publication Date:
- 01-2017
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA)
- Abstract:
- This policy brief presents an overview of the ASEAN economy in terms of its economic relationship with multinationals, particularly Japanese companies, that have long invested in this region. ASEAN has been an attractor of foreign direct investment (FDI). Business interest in ASEAN has increased again recently due to the (i) relatively low wage of ASEAN compared to China, (ii) establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), (iii) economic partnership network with a core of ASEAN countries, (iv) large-scale market covered by ASEAN, and (v) rise of CLMV countries (Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, and Viet Nam). In these trends, ASEAN has established a reciprocal economic relationship with other countries and regions. To develop its economy, ASEAN member states are expected to further advance the AEC at a high level. Hence, ASEAN must address challenges such as deepening further economic integration and narrowing development gaps in the region. Most importantly, ASEAN still needs to increase the attractiveness of its 'whole region' as an essential and integral part of global value chains to draw further FDI.
- Topic:
- Economics, International Political Economy, International Trade and Finance, and Global Political Economy
- Political Geography:
- Japan and Southeast Asia
1004. How not to create zombie banks: lessons for Italy from Japan
- Author:
- Mark Hallerberg and Christopher Gandrud
- Publication Date:
- 03-2017
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- Bruegel
- Abstract:
- Japan serves as a cautionary tale for Italy on how to clean up banking-sector problems. A general lesson is the need for policies to forthrightly address non-performing loans (NPLs) in countries with widespread banking problems. This helps address zombie banks and sluggish economic growth. The Japanese experience indicates that three elements are necessary to address NPLs: (a) sufficiently capitalised banks that can take losses from NPL write-downs; (b) an independent regulator that can identify problems and force action; and (c) tools to manage the orderly disposal of NPLs. The problem is not that this combination of policy tools is unknown, but that banks and governments lack incentives to use them in combination. Italy’s December 2016 package providing €20 billion for recapitalisation of banks is a step in the right direction. Similarly, pressure from the European Central Bank on Italian authori- ties and on banks to address NPLs is welcome. However, policy tools to manage and dispose of NPLs and, just as importantly, incentives to use them, are lacking. In January 2017, the European Banking Authority published a set of policy proposals for NPL resolution. Those include national and European-level public asset management companies (AMC), also known as ‘bad banks’. We argue that in Italy, the incentives to use such tools and dispose of NPLs have been weak.
- Topic:
- International Trade and Finance, Political Economy, Economic structure, and Global Political Economy
- Political Geography:
- Japan and Italy
1005. Brexit and the European financial system
- Author:
- Uuriintuya Batsaikhan, Robert Kalcik, and Dirk Schoenmaker
- Publication Date:
- 02-2017
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- Bruegel
- Abstract:
- London is an international financial centre, serving European and global clients. A hard Brexit would lead to a partial migration of financial firms from London to the EU27 (EU minus UK) to ensure they can continue to serve their EU27 clients. Four major cities will host most of the new EU27 wholesale markets: Frankfurt, Paris, Dublin and Amsterdam. These cities have far fewer people employed in finance than London. Moreover, they host the European headquarters of fewer large companies. The partial migra- tion of financial firms will thus have a major impact on these cities and their infrastructures. Banks are the key players in wholesale markets. United States and Swiss investment banks, together with one large German and three large French banks, will make up the core of the new EU27 wholesale markets. Some Dutch, Italian and Spanish banks are in the second tier. The forex, securities and derivatives trading markets are now in London. We map the current, limited market share of the four major cities that might host the EU27 client business. The expected migration of financial trading will lead to a large increase in trading capacity (eg bank trading floors). Clearing is the backbone of modern financial markets. A comparative overview of clearing facilities in the EU27 shows that Germany and France have some clearing capacity, but this will need to be expanded. The ownership of clearing is often intertwined with stock exchanges. Were the planned LSE-Deutsche Börse merger to go ahead, LSE would sell the Paris subsidiary of its clearinghouse. In terms of legal systems, there is an expectation that trading activities will be able to continue under English contract law, also in the EU27. A particular challenge is to develop FinTech (financial technology) in the EU27, as this innovative part of the market is currently based in London. We estimate that some 30,000 jobs might move from London to the EU27. This will put pressure on the facilities (infrastructure, offices, residential housing) in the recipient cities. The more the European Union market for financial services is integrated, the less need there will be for financial firms to move to one location, reducing the pressure for all facilities to be in one city (see Sapir et al, 2017, which is a companion piece to this paper).
- Topic:
- International Political Economy, International Trade and Finance, and Brexit
- Political Geography:
- Britain and Europe
1006. Europe in a new world order
- Author:
- Maria Demertzis, André Sapir, and Guntram Wolff
- Publication Date:
- 02-2017
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- Bruegel
- Abstract:
- The United States is the European Union’s most important trade and bilateral investment partner, which has, until now, supported a multilateral trade system and European integration and has provided a security guarantee to the countries of the EU. But like other advanced economies, the US’s relative weight in the global economy has declined. The new US administration seems intent on replacing multilateralism with bilateral deals. In trade, it aims to secure new trade deals in order to reduce bilateral trade deficits and to protect, in particular, the US manufacturing sector. In climate policy, the US commitment to the Paris Agreement is being questioned. In defence, the security umbrella appears less certain than previously. The overall promise behind this change of direction is to put ‘America first’ and deliver better results for US citizens.
- Topic:
- International Political Economy, International Trade and Finance, Bilateral Relations, Multilateral Relatons, and Political stability
- Political Geography:
- Europe and United States of America
1007. Making the best of Brexit for the EU27 financial system
- Author:
- Andre Sapir, Dirk Schoenmaker, and Nicolas Veron
- Publication Date:
- 02-2017
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- Bruegel
- Abstract:
- The United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union creates an opportunity for the remaining EU27 to accelerate the development of its financial markets and to increase its resilience against shocks. Equally, Brexit involves risks for market integrity and stability, because the EU including the UK has been crucially dependent on the Bank of England and the UK Financial Conduct Authority for oversight of its wholesale markets. Without the UK, the EU27 must swiftly upgrade its capacity to ensure market integrity and financial stability. Furthermore, losing even partial access to the efficient London financial centre could entail a loss of efficiency for the EU27 economy, especially if financial developments inside the EU27 remain limited and uneven.
- Topic:
- Economics, International Political Economy, International Trade and Finance, Political stability, and Brexit
- Political Geography:
- Britain and Europe
1008. Is Brexit an opportunity to reform the European Parliament?
- Author:
- Robert Kalcik and Guntram Wolff
- Publication Date:
- 01-2017
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- Bruegel
- Abstract:
- Brexit offers a political opportunity for the European Parliament to reform the allocation of seats to member states. This Policy Contribution explores different options for reform and their implications for equality of representation and distribution of seats to countries, within the constraints set by the EU treaties.
- Topic:
- International Organization, International Affairs, Political Theory, European Union, Democracy, and Brexit
- Political Geography:
- Europe
1009. Why is it so hard to reach the EU’s ‘poverty’ target?
- Author:
- Zsolt Darvus
- Publication Date:
- 01-2017
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- Bruegel
- Abstract:
- The ‘poverty’ target set by the European Commission aims to lift “over 20 million people out of poverty” between 2008 and 2020 in the EU27. Progress to date against this target has been disappointing. Why is it so hard to reach the Europe 2020 ‘poverty’ target? What does the poverty indicator actually measure?
- Topic:
- Economics, International Political Economy, International Trade and Finance, and Poverty
- Political Geography:
- Europe
1010. The US’ special relationships in Europe
- Author:
- Mikkel Runge Olesen and Matthew Hinds
- Publication Date:
- 01-2017
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- Danish Institute for International Studies
- Abstract:
- The election of Donald Trump as US president was met with considerable unease in Europe. This has not least been the case among those who, like the UK and Denmark, consider themselves among America’s closest allies. In the policy brief, Matthew Hinds and Mikkel Runge Olesen take stock of the US special relationships in Europe – large and small. In the policy brief they discuss both the classical “Special Relationship” between the US and the UK, as well as the US-Danish relationship, as an example of a small power that has chosen to give the relationship to the superpower premium priority. Hinds and Runge Olesen find that Trump may destabilize relations, but also that he may open up for new opportunities as well – especially for the UK.
- Topic:
- International Relations and International Affairs
- Political Geography:
- Britain, America, and Europe