Resumen Objetivo: este artículo estudia la relación entre la demanda turística y el crecimiento económico, el tipo de cambio real y la incertidumbre de política económica (EPU, por sus siglas en inglés) en Australia, China, Francia, Alemania, Italia, Japón, España, Estados Unidos y el Reino Unido. Metodología: se aplicaron pruebas de dependencia transversal, de raíz unitaria y de cointegración. El modelo de largo plazo se estimó con los siguientes métodos: PCSE, FGLS y FMOLS. Resultados: los resultados muestran una relación positiva entre el crecimiento económico y el tipo de cambio real respecto a la demanda turística. En el largo plazo, la relación de causalidad es de la incertidumbre, el tipo de cambio y el PIB al turismo. Se valida la hipótesis de retroalimentación. Limitaciones: la disponibilidad de datos. Originalidad: estudia la influencia conjunta del crecimiento económico y la EPU sobre la demanda de turismo en los países de los principales destinos mundiales de turismo internacional según los ingresos turísticos internacionales. Conclusiones: se sugiere que el turismo impulsará el crecimiento económico general, y de manera correspondiente la inversión en otros sectores de la economía también influirá en un aumento del turismo.

Abstract Objective: to study the relationship among tourism demand and economic growth, real exchange rate, and economic policy uncertainty (EPU) in Australia China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Methodology: cross-section dependence, unit root, and cointegration tests were applied. The long-term model was estimated according to the Panel-Corrected Standard Error (PCSE), Feasible Generalised Least Squares (FGLS), and Fully Modified Ordinary Least Square (FMOLS). Results: the results show a positive relationship between economic growth and the real exchange rate concerning tourism demand. In the long term, the causality relationship is from uncertainty, exchange rate, and GDP to tourism. The feedback hypothesis is validated. Limitations: availability of data. Originality: it studies the joint influence of economic growth and the EPU on demand for tourism in the countries of the world’s leading destinations for international tourism according to international tourist income. Conclusions: tourism will drive general economic growth and, correspondingly, investment in other sectors of the economy will also influence an increase in tourism.

Abstract The surging health and financial costs of diseases, disabilities, and disparities support the global acceleration of interests and investments in health AI for better, cheaper, faster, and fairer health solutions globally and locally. Yet there is no consensus on practically operationalizing responsible AI principles across diverse global sectors, states, and belief systems. This proof-of-concept study utilizes the global pluralistic ethical framework (the Personalist Social Contract) to therefore provide the first known Bayesian augmented AI-driven Computational Ethical (AiCE) and policy analysis integrating clinical, cost effectiveness, and healthcare disparity analyses with nationally representative data to estimate the global cost of healthcare disparities in colonoscopy (CS) and the savings from AI-enabled CS to reduce them. It suggests that reversing racial disparities particularly for Hispanics and Asians may save American healthcare systems $17.61 billion annually, with AI-augmented CS potentially contributing savings of $625.40 million for Hispanics and $289.00 million for Asians in particular (with similar cost savings for vulnerable communities in middle and low-income countries also). The above findings support the cost savings imperative for such strategic and capacity-building investment in these AI-driven measures to improve healthcare’s strategic aims of Sustainability, Effectiveness, Efficiency, and Equity (SEEE). Such empirical results inform the larger global bioethical argument from the twin dimensions of human dignity and human security (rooted in the personalist, multicultural, and metaphysical account of the person as a member of the global human family) to highlight the AI ethical imperative to optimize the performance of the global digital health ecosystem. Such an instrumental end is a critical means of advancing toward the ultimate end of the common good, in which the individual good of each person is safeguarded and in which it finds her/his fulfillment working toward.

Resumen El aumento de los costos sanitarios y financieros de las enfermedades, las discapacidades y las disparidades respalda la aceleración mundial de los intereses y las inversiones en IA (inteligencia artificial) sanitaria para lograr soluciones sanitarias mejores, más baratas, más rápidas y justas a escala mundial y local. Sin embargo, no existe un consenso sobre la aplicación práctica de los principios de la IA responsable en diversos sectores, estados y sistemas de creencias de todo el mundo. Este estudio de prueba de concepto utiliza el marco ético pluralista global (el Contrato Social Personalista) para proporcionar, por tanto, el primer análisis conocido de ética computacional (AiCE, por sus siglas en inglés) y política basado en IA aumentada bayesiana que integra análisis clínicos, de rentabilidad y de disparidades en la atención sanitaria con datos representativos a nivel nacional para estimar el costo global de las disparidades en la atención sanitaria en la colonoscopia (CS, por sus siglas en inglés) y el ahorro de la CS habilitada por IA para reducirlas. El estudio sugiere que revertir las disparidades raciales, en particular entre hispanos y asiáticos, puede ahorrar a los sistemas sanitarios estadounidenses 17.610 millones de dólares al año, con un ahorro potencial de 625,40 millones de dólares para los hispanos y 289 millones de dólares para los asiáticos en particular (con un ahorro similar para las comunidades vulnerables en países de ingresos medios y bajos). Los resultados anteriores respaldan el imperativo de ahorro de costos que supone la inversión estratégica y de capacitación en estas medidas impulsadas por la IA para mejorar los objetivos estratégicos de sostenibilidad, eficacia, eficiencia y equidad (SEEE) de la atención sanitaria. Estos resultados empíricos informan el argumento bioético global más amplio de las dimensiones gemelas de la dignidad y la seguridad humanas (arraigadas en el relato personalista, multicultural y metafísico de la persona como miembro de la familia humana global) para destacar el imperativo ético de la IA para optimizar el rendimiento del ecosistema sanitario digital global. Semejante fin instrumental es un medio decisivo para avanzar hacia el fin último del bien común, en el que se salvaguarda el bien individual de cada persona y en el que éste encuentra su realización trabajando hacia él.

SIGNIFICANCE: To address water challenges, several strategic water source areas (SWSAs) have been defined as important for water security in South Africa. The governance of SWSAs is faced with a series of interconnected tensions. The Living Catchments Project was implemented in four SWSAs, and provides an example of how social processes and learning projects can be funded, designed and implemented at different levels. At all of these levels, conceptualisation and evaluation of social learning processes are important for capturing the lessons learnt and advocating investment in community-engaged governance of SWSAs. Ongoing research is required for observing, examining and improving social learning processes in the governance of SWSAs.

Die inflasiekoers en die produksiegaping speel 'n belangrike rol in die monetêrebeleidstand-punt. Alhoewel die publiek inflasie redelik goed verstaan, is die produksiegaping 'n relatief onbekende begrip. Definisies van potensiële produksie kan dubbelsinnig wees, aangesien die term dikwels gebruik word om verwante, maar logies afsonderlike, konsepte te beskryf. Die produksiegaping word ook nie direk waargeneem nie en word afgelei uit beramings van potensiële produksie, wat self nie waarneembaar of meetbaar is nie en dus beraam moet word. Hierdie beramings kan egter sensitief wees vir verskillende metodologiese paradigmas en databeskikbaarheid. Die doel van hierdie artikel is om by te dra tot 'n beter begrip van en groter deursigtigheid in plaaslike monetêre beleid deur die rol van die produksiegaping in Suid-Afrikaanse monetêre beleid te verduidelik. Eerstens word die idees onderliggend aan die konsep van die produksiegaping bespreek, waarna 'n werksdefinisie van die produksiegaping in die konteks van monetêre beleid voorgestel word. Verskeie metodologieë en empiriese tegnieke waarvolgens potensiële produksie en die produksiegaping beraam kan word, word bespreek, insluitende eenveranderlike statistiese tegnieke, strukturele modelle en semistrukturele benaderings. Die artikel verduidelik voorts hoe die Suid-Afrikaanse Reserwebank (SARB) die plaaslike produksiegaping beraam en hoe hierdie beraamde produksiegaping op die monetêrebeleidstand-punt inwerk. Ten slotte word die SARB se monetêrebeleidstandpunt beskou met betrekking tot die inflasiekoers en produksiegapingsberamings oor die afgelope twee dekades ten einde die reaksie van die plaaslike monetêre beleid op groot ekonomiese skokke soos die wêreldwye finansiële krisis en COVID-19 te illustreer, en ten einde die beramings se sensitiwiteit vir datahersienings uit te lig.

The inflation rate and the output gap are two of the main determinants of the monetary policy stance. However, while inflation is relatively well understood by the public, the output gap is not. The output gap is not directly observed and is derived from estimates of potential output. Potential output is also not observable or measurable, and therefore needs to be estimated. Such estimates can, however, be sensitive to different methodological paradigms and the availability of data, while definitions of potential output may be ambiguous, because the term is often used to describe related, but logically distinct, concepts. With the aim of contributing to a better understanding of and greater transparency in domestic monetary policy, this paper describes the role of the output gap in South African monetary policy by broadly examining the following three questions: (i) What exactly is the output gap?; (ii) How is it measured? and (iii) Why is it important? To begin with, the idea underlying the concept of the output gap is explained and a tentative working definition of the output gap in the context of monetary policy is provided. Various methodologies and empirical techniques of estimating potential output and the output gap are then discussed, including univariate statistical techniques, structural models and semi-structural approaches. This is followed by an explanation of how the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) estimates the domestic output gap, and how the estimated output gap feeds into the monetary policy stance. Finally, the SARB's monetary policy stance is viewed in relation to the inflation rate and output gap estimates over the last two decades to illustrate the domestic monetary policy response to notable economic events such as the global financial crisis and the COVID-19 shock, and to highlight the sensitivity of the estimates to data revision. This paper shows that both actual and potential economic growth have declined over the last decade, even without taking into account the COVID-19 shock. This is consistent with the South African empirical literature, and points to a worrying and persistent stagnation in domestic economic activity. After strong economic activity during the early 2000s, the economy started slowing down in 2008. This may be ascribed to a number of factors, including the introduction of load-shedding in 2007, changes in the global economic landscape following the globalfinancial crisis, dwindling infrastructure investment after the 2010 FIFA World Cup tournament, and uncertainty about domestic economic policy. COVID-19 brought about a massive economic shock in 2020. Lockdown regulations saw capital and labour withdrawn from economic use, which caused real GDP and potential output to contract by 6,2% and 2,7%, respectively, for the year. The output gap, which has mainly remained in negative territory since 2009, fell to -7,9% in the second quarter of 2020. In response to the crisis, the SARB drastically lowered the policy rate and applied several other financial market interventions, but even this extensive range of stimuli failed to prevent an economic collapse. Moreover, the output gap has remained negative despite a minor rebound of the economy in 2021 and 2022, which indicated that economic activity remained on its weakpre-COVID-19 trajectory. Inflation has stabilised markedly since 2010. This may be partly due to weak domestic economic activity that does not exert significant domestic inflationary pressures. In fact, many of the notable inflationary episodes of the last 25years were largely caused by external factors, such as the rand depreciation shock and the global financial crisis. This benign domestic inflationary environment has arguably made it easier for the SARB to achieve its inflation target. Such consistency has contributed to an increase in the SARB's credibility, which, in turn, has led to inflation expectations that are lower and better anchored.

Abstract The article exposes the public policy of closing the border of the Dominican Republic against the Haitian population since 1937, a situation that has been beneficial for global corporations that have increased their profit margins by taking advantage of the context of poverty, violence, and racism experienced by the Haitian population. The case of the textile corporation Compagnie Développement Industriel (CODEVI) is studied, which has placed an industrial site on the Haitian-Dominican border line. Methodologically, an anthropological and geographical study was carried out, consisting of interviews and visits to both workers and company officials, in addition to a documentary review of the economic policy of both countries and the legislation regulating transnational corporations. In this way, the creative political, legal, technical, and territorial devices used to exploit cheap Haitian labor are exposed, evidencing the national and racial segregation imposed by the textile company. It is concluded that this system of labor exploitation generates great economic profits in exchange for a minimal investment that does not contribute significantly to overcome the extreme poverty experienced by workers living in the impoverished Haitian border town of Ouanaminthe.

Resumen En el presente artículo se analiza la política racial de cierre de frontera que desde 1937 se ha instaurado en la zona dominico-haitiana, situación que ha resultado beneficiosa para corporativos globales que han incrementado sus márgenes de ganancia aprovechando el contexto de pobreza, violencia y racismo que vive la población haitiana. Se estudia el caso de la empresa textil Compagnie Développement Industriel (CODEVI), la cual ha desarrollado un sofisticado emplazamiento industrial sobre esta línea fronteriza. Metodológicamente se realiza un trabajo antropológico y geográfico que consistió en entrevistas y visitas tanto a personas trabajadoras como funcionarias de la empresa, además de una revisión documental de la política económica de ambos países y de legislaciones de corporaciones trasnacionales. De este modo, se exponen los ingeniosos dispositivos políticos, legales, técnicos y territoriales utilizados para explotar la mano de obra barata haitiana, evidenciando la segregación nacional y racial que impone la empresa textil. Se concluye que este sistema de explotación laboral obtiene grandes ganancias económicas a cambio de una mínima inversión que no contribuye significativamente a superar la extrema pobreza que viven trabajadores y trabajadoras que residen en la depauperada ciudad fronteriza haitiana de Ouanaminthe.

Abstract The federalisation of science and technology in Argentina has gained momentum with the enactment of Law 27.614/2021 and the implementation, since 2022, of a ministerial budgetary program for this purpose. This article seeks to assess the territorial impact of Equipar Ciencia, one of the instruments associated with this funding. For this purpose, we analyse provincial data from the three main phases of allocation (June 2022-June 2023) and discuss the results in light of official statements and technical aspects of this and other science policy instruments. The provincial distribution of Equipar is consistent with a logic of positive discrimination, taking into account inequalities of origin and favouring the approval of a significant part of applications from less developed provinces, as opposed to what happens with scientific projects of the I+D+i Agency or the entry of researchers to CONICET. This dissociation does not facilitate a coherent policy of territorial deconcentration of public investment. Among the different institutional resistances, the federalisation funds and Equipar continue to be managed in a centralised manner.

Resumo A federalização da ciência e a tecnologia na Argentina ganhou impulso com a sanção da Lei 27.614/2021 e a implementação, desde 2022, de um programa orçamentário ministerial para esse fim. Este artigo procura avaliar o impacto territorial do Equipar Ciência, um dos instrumentos associados ao referido financiamento. Para isso, são analisados os dados provinciais das três principais rondas de repasse (junho 2022-junho 2023) e são discutidos os resultados a luz de declarações de agentes públicos bem como aspectos técnicos deste e outros instrumentos da política científica. A distribuição provincial do Equipar enquadra-se numa lógica de discriminação positiva, tendo em conta as desigualdades de origem e favorecendo a aprovação de boa parte dos pedidos de províncias de menor desenvolvimento relativo, ao contrário do que acontece com os projetos científicos da Agência I+D+i ou o ingresso de pesquisadores no CONICET. Esta dissociação não permite uma política consistente de desconcentração territorial do investimento público. Entre as diversas inércias institucionais, os fundos de federalização e o Equipar continuam a ser geridos de forma centralizada.

Resumen La federalización de la ciencia y la tecnología en Argentina ha ganado impulso con la sanción de la ley 27.614/2021 y la instrumentación, desde 2022, de un programa presupuestario ministerial para tal fin. Este artículo busca evaluar el impacto territorial del Equipar Ciencia, uno de los instrumentos asociados a dicho financiamiento. Para ello, se analizan datos provinciales de las tres principales rondas de adjudicación (junio de 2022-junio de 2023) y se discuten los resultados a la luz de declaraciones de funcionarios y aspectos técnicos de este y otros instrumentos de la política científica. La distribución provincial del Equipar se condice con una lógica de discriminación positiva, atendiendo a las desigualdades de origen y favoreciendo la aprobación de buena parte de las solicitudes de provincias de menor desarrollo relativo, lo contrario a lo que ocurre con los proyectos científicos de la Agencia I+D+i o el ingreso de investigadores al CONICET. Esta disociación no permite una política consistente de desconcentración territorial de la inversión pública. Entre las diversas inercias institucionales, los fondos de federalización y el Equipar continúan siendo gestionados de forma centralizada.

SIGNIFICANCE: A census provides a snapshot of a population at a point in time. In addition to describing the basic demographic and socio-economic characteristics of a population, census data provide denominators for estimating rates; inform resource allocation and policy, development and infrastructural investment; and are used to define sampling frames for other national inquiries. Although the 2022 South African census attempted to correct for a national undercount of over 30%, it was not entirely successful. We identify a number of concerns with the estimates released, which suggest that the data may not be fit for purpose.

ABSTRACT This research aimed to suggest practical strategies for Mexico's economic development through the trend of nearshoring. It involved identifying, analyzing, and organizing the causes of the conflict between China and the USA over international trade and exploring the opportunities that nearshoring to Mexico can offer. Qualitative research methods were applied, and documentary research techniques were used based on two study objects: a) the Sino-American dispute over international trade and b) nearshoring to Mexico. Nearshoring to Mexico is driven by various factors, including tariff benefits from Free Trade Agreements, low labor costs in manufacturing companies, and a stable exchange rate. Therefore, Mexico needs to encourage the development of industrial parks, implement an effective Public Security Policy, offer tax incentives to attract Foreign Direct Investment and improve port, road, and air infrastructure to take full advantage of this trend.

RESUMEN Esta investigación tuvo como objetivo sugerir estrategias prácticas para el desarrollo económico de México a través de la tendencia del nearshoring. Implicó identificar, analizar y organizar las causas del conflicto entre China y Estados Unidos sobre el comercio internacional y explorar las oportunidades que puede ofrecer el nearshoring a México. Se aplicaron métodos de investigación cualitativos y se utilizaron técnicas de investigación documental basadas en dos objetos de estudio: a) la disputa chino-estadounidense sobre el comercio internacional y b) el nearshoring a México. El nearshoring a México está impulsado por varios factores, incluidos los beneficios arancelarios de los Tratados de Libre Comercio, los bajos costos laborales en las empresas manufactureras y un tipo de cambio estable. Por lo tanto, México necesita fomentar el desarrollo de parques industriales, implementar una Política de Seguridad Pública efectiva, ofrecer incentivos fiscales para atraer Inversión Extranjera Directa y mejorar la infraestructura portuaria, vial y aérea para aprovechar al máximo esta tendencia.

ABSTRACT At the end of the 1970s, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) promoted policies to attract investments from the developed capitalist world, aiming for technological transfer and offering a profitable environment in exchange. Although the TNC capital, know-how, and technology have been key factors for Chinese development, the State has planned and regulated those investments, so they can be aligned with an autonomous project of development, avoiding the classic centre-periphery dependency relationship. This paper analysis focuses on the Five-Year Plans, and the regulation policy laws for inward investment. At the end we analyse the FDI data, which allowed us to identify the main changes and distinct phases of the development of FDI and the State policy. 1970s s Peoples People PRC (PRC world exchange capital knowhow, knowhow know how, how know-how centreperiphery centre periphery relationship FiveYear Five Year Plans investment data

RESUMO No final da década de 1970, a República Popular da China (RPC) promoveu políticas de atração de investimentos do mundo capitalista desenvolvido, visando à transferência tecnológica e oferecendo um ambiente lucrativo em troca. Embora o capital, o know-how e a tecnologia das ETN tenham sido fatores fundamentais para o desenvolvimento chinês, o Estado planejou e regulou esses investimentos, de modo que possam ser alinhados a um projeto autônomo de desenvolvimento, evitando a clássica relação de dependência centro-periferia. A análise deste trabalho centra-se nos Planos Quinquenais e nas leis de política de regulação para o investimento interno. Ao final analisamos os dados do IDE, que nos permitiram identificar as principais mudanças e distintas fases do desenvolvimento do IDE e da política de Estado. 1970 RPC (RPC desenvolvido troca capital knowhow know how chinês centroperiferia. centroperiferia centro periferia. periferia centro-periferia centrase centra se interno 197 19 1

Abstract The Expenditure Ceiling, effective from 2017 to 2022, marked a significant period in Brazilian fiscal policy and triggered numerous debates regarding its impact on macroeconomic variables. This article employs the synthetic control method and utilizes annual data from the World Bank and IMF to assess its influence on the central bank policy rate (Selic) from 2017 to 2021 and the real rate of public investment between 2017 and 2019. The findings indicate that the implementation of the expenditure ceiling aligned with a decrease in the Selic rate, consistent with previous research on long-term and neutral interest rates. However, analyzing public investment proves challenging due to the substantial reduction in government investments resulting from the 2015-2016 recession. Ceiling 201 2022 variables (Selic 202 2019 longterm long term rates However 20152016 2015 2016 2015-201 recession 20 2015201 2015-20 2 201520 2015-2 20152 2015-

Resumo Tendo vigorado entre 2017 e 2022, o Teto de Gastos marcou um importante período da política fiscal brasileira e gerou uma série de debates acerca de seus efeitos sobre variáveis macroeconômicas. Usando a metodologia do Controle Sintético e dados anuais do Banco Mundial e do FMI, este artigo avalia o seu impacto sobre a taxa básica de juros (Selic) entre 2017 e 2021 e sobre a taxa real de investimento público entre 2017 e 2019. Os resultados indicam que a implementação do Teto coincidiu com uma queda na Selic não observada no contrafactual, estando em linha com resultados anteriores relacionados às taxas de juros longas. A análise do investimento público, por sua vez, revela que não é possível isolar o efeito do Teto, haja vista a queda de investimentos governamentais durante a recessão de 2015-2016. 201 2022 macroeconômicas FMI (Selic 202 2019 contrafactual longas vez 20152016. 20152016 2015 2016. 2016 2015-2016 20 2015201 2015-201 2 201520 2015-20 20152 2015-2 2015-

Abstract In this paper the use of expression rights of nature is viewed with a critical approach regarding its effects in other public authorities, including public policies or state policy, such as energetic resources in long term agenda. At first time, those cases have been initiated on a lawsuit inter partes, with effect inter comunis with effect on third parties. For this reason, the whole state assumes the risk of legal international affair related to foreign investment for change material rules related to its economic activities, including obstruction.

Resumen Se presenta un balance crítico de la noción naturaleza sujeto de derechos, cuando se usa esta noción en un fallo interpartes. Esta locución tiene efectos prácticos en otras ramas de poder público, sometiendo al Estado al incumplimiento de compromisos internacionales de protección a la inversión extranjera, al impedir explotar recursos naturales con la introducción de una nueva noción interpretativa, que convierte un objeto en sujeto de derecho, sacándolo del comercio, o variando con la decisión, políticas estatales. Es decir, el efecto inter-comunis del fallo interpartes puede modificar el orden jurídico interno, con efectos contra él y de derechos adquiridos.

Resumo Nos últimos cinco anos, três Acordos de Livre Comércio (ALCs) emblemáticos completaram dez anos: o ALC República Dominicana-América Central-Estados Unidos, o acordo com a China e o Acordo de Associação com a União Europeia. Discute-se a importância da avaliação comparativa do desempenho desses ALCs como referências na política comercial da Costa Rica. Para cada um desses acordos, são avaliados diferentes impactos multidimensionais em áreas comerciais e não comerciais. Os resultados comerciais são analisados em termos quantitativos de exportações, importações, balança comercial, diversificação da oferta exportável e investimento estrangeiro direto. Mas, além disso, para cada um desses acordos, são estudados componentes não comerciais de enorme importância, refletidos em resultados sem precedentes, como a quebra de monopólios estatais, como foi o caso do TLC com os Estados Unidos. Este estudo se concentra na avaliação dos impactos específicos de cada acordo, com o objetivo de fornecer uma análise original de resultados que são apresentados como discordantes e assimétricos.

Résumé Au cours des cinq dernières années, trois accords de libre-échange (ALE) emblématiques ont fêté leur dixième anniversaire : l’ALE entre la République dominicaine, l’Amérique centrale et les États-Unis, l’accord avec la Chine et l’accord d’association avec l’Union européenne. L’importance de l’évaluation comparative des performances de ces ALE en tant que points de référence de la politique commerciale du Costa Rica est discutée. Pour chacun de ces accords, différents impacts multidimensionnels dans les domaines commerciaux et non commerciaux sont évalués. Les résultats commerciaux sont analysés en termes quantitatifs d’exportations, d’importations, de balance commerciale, de diversification de l’offre exportable et d’investissement étranger direct. Mais, pour chacun de ces accords, des composantes non commerciales d’une importance considérable sont également étudiées, se traduisant par des résultats sans précédent, tels que la rupture de monopoles d’État, comme ce fut le cas pour l’accord de libre-échange avec les États-Unis. Cette étude se concentre sur l’évaluation des impacts spécifiques de chaque accord, avec l’objectif de fournir une analyse originale de résultats présentés comme discordants et asymétriques.

Abstract Over the last five years, three emblematic Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) marked their tenth anniversary: the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States FTA, the agreement with China and the Association Agreement with the European Union. The importance of the comparative evaluation of the performance of these FTAs as benchmarks in Costa Rican trade policy is discussed. For each of these agreements, different multidimensional impacts in both trade and non-trade areas are assessed. Trade results are analyzed in quantitative terms of exports, imports, trade balance, diversification of the exportable supply and foreign direct investment. But, also, for each of these agreements, non-trade components of enormous importance are studied, reflected in unprecedented results, such as the breaking of state monopolies, as was the case of the FTA with the United States. This study focuses on the evaluation of the specific impacts of each agreement, with the objective of providing an original analysis of results that are presented as discordant and asymmetrical.

Resumen En el transcurso del último quinquenio, tres emblemáticos Tratados de Libre Comercio (TLC) cumplieron 10 años de vigencia: el TLC suscrito entre República Dominicana-Centroamérica-Estados Unidos, el acuerdo con China y el Acuerdo de Asociación con la Unión Europea. Se plantea la importancia de la evaluación comparativa del desempeño de estos TLC como puntos de referencia en la política comercial costarricense. Para cada uno de estos acuerdos se valoran diferentes impactos multidimensionales tanto en ámbitos comerciales como no comerciales. Los resultados comerciales se analizan en términos cuantitativos de exportaciones, importaciones, balanza comercial, diversificación de la oferta exportable e inversión extranjera directa. Pero, también, para cada uno de estos acuerdos, se estudian componentes no comerciales de enorme transcendencia reflejados en resultados inéditos, como la ruptura de monopolios estatales, cual fue el caso del TLC con Estados Unidos. Este estudio se enfoca en la evaluación de impactos específicos de cada acuerdo, con el objetivo de ofrecer un análisis original de resultados que se presentan como discordantes y asimétricos.

In hierdie studie word optimale prysbepaling en lotgrootte produksiebeleidsmodelle met pryssensitiewe vraag na verswakkende produkte oorweeg, met inagneming van twee afsonderlike produksietempo's. Dit is moontlik om produksie teen een tempo te begin en dan na 'n ander tempo oor te skakel na 'n tydperk. So 'n scenario is aantreklik, aangesien 'n groot aanvanklike voorraad geproduseerde goedere vermy kan word deur produksie teen 'n beskeie tempo te begin, en sodoende die aanvanklike belegging en die houkoste te verminder. Verder word die vyfde-orde vergelyking verkry wanneer die vergelyking vir optimale prysbepaling afgelei word. Maksimering van die wins word bereken op grond van 'n vyfde-orde vergelyking. Beide optimale pryse en produksielotgrootte is besluitveranderlikes, en optimale siklustyd is ook een van die besluitveranderlikes vir die bepaling van prysgelykbreekpunte. Wat inligting betref, het geen navorser optimale prysbepaling en produksielotgrootte-beleide in twee-tempo-van-produksie-modelle vir hul studie ondersoek nie. Die doel van die studie is om die optimale produksie, optimale pryse en optimale siklustyd te ondersoek om die totale koste te verminder en die totale wins te maksimeer. Beide prys-gelykbreekpunt en winsmaksimering word oorweeg. 'n Toepaslike wiskundige model word ontwikkel. 'n Illustratiewe voorbeeld word verskaf en numeries bekragtig met behulp van 'n sensitiwiteitsanalise. Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0 is gebruik om die model se uitkomsvalidering te kodeer.

In the present study, optimal pricing and optimal lot size production policy models with price-sensitive demand of deteriorating products are considered, taking into account two distinct production rates. It is possible to begin production at one rate and then switch to a different rate after a period of time. Such a scenario is appealing, in that a big initial stock of produced goods can be avoided by starting production at a modest pace, thus reducing the initial investment and the holding cost. Further, the fifth-order equation is obtained when the equation for optimal pricing is derived. Maximising the profit is calculated based on a fifth-order equation. Both optimal pricing and production lot size are decision variables, and optimal cycle time is also one of the decision variables for determining price break-even points. As far as information is concerned, no researcher has examined optimal pricing and production lot size policies in two-rates-of-production models for their study. The objective of the present study is to examine the optimal production, optimal pricing, and optimal cycle time to reduce the total cost and to maximise the total profit. Both price break-even point and profit maximisation are considered. An appropriate mathematical model is developed. An illustrative example is provided and numerically validated using a sensitivity analysis. Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0 was used to code the model's outcome validation.

RESUMEN En este artículo, se lleva a cabo un análisis de los factores que obstaculizan la efectiva y eficiente administración de los recursos del Estado, y se realiza una propuesta de un nuevo paradigma para la gestión pública. Múltiples obstáculos impiden alcanzar el bienestar de la ciudadanía con atención a su diversidad; eliminarlos; y redefinir la gestión pública con un cambio de prioridades de las políticas públicas que permitirá alcanzar crecimiento con inclusión. El vector de inclusión requiere inversiones importantes en capital humano -educación, salud y tecnología- para elevar el bienestar y la calidad de vida, y en infraestructura física, para alcanzar mayor productividad y absorción del progreso tecnológico. Las prioridades son: empleo registrado (formal) y productivo, reforma del sector salud, educación e inversiones con criterio de integración social. Estas prioridades son comprendidas por siete lecciones de la política macroeconómica que pueden adaptarse a la nueva gestión pública.

ABSTRACT This article conducts an analysis of the factors hindering the effective and efficient administration of state resources and proposes a new paradigm for public management. Multiple obstacles prevent achieving the well-being of the diverse citizenry, necessitating their elimination and a redefinition of public management with a shift in policy priorities to promote inclusive growth. The inclusion vector requires significant investments in human capital, including education, health, and technology, to enhance well-being and quality of life, as well as in physical infrastructure to boost productivity and absorb technological progress. Priorities include formal and productive employment, healthcare sector reform, education, and socially integrated investments. Seven lessons from macroeconomic policy are outlined as applicable to the new public management.

This article deals with the nature of social cost-benefit analysis (SCBA) and economic impact analysis (ECIA) of road projects and describes the coherence of and distinctions between the two types of analysis. In the final part of the article, the reasons are given for not including in an SCBA the economic impacts of a road as determined through an ECIA, regardless of how positive they may be. The SCBA of a road project is a systematic procedure to determine the economic viability of the road project by considering the costs and benefits that accrue when the road is constructed and during the service period of the project. The cost component in the SCBA of a road project is the once-off investment or capital cost of taking the road into service or improving it. The benefit component in the SCBA of a road is the difference between recurring costs associated with an improved road and without the road improvement. Recurring costs of a road include (a) road user costs, (b) external costs arising from road use and (c) maintenance costs to protect and preserve the usefulness of the road. The beneficiaries in an SCBA are the road users. The following road user groups can be distinguished: (i) Normal traffic (consisting of existing, normal-growth and non-induced development traffic; (ii) diverted traffic; and (iii) induced traffic (consisting of generated, induced development, and transferred traffic.) To assess the efficiency of resource allocation, an SCBA is based on the consideration of social cost. From the perspective of allocative efficiency, as determined by an SCBA, a road project is regarded as economically viable when the current value of the reduction in recurring costs associated with the road during its service life exceeds the current value of the once-off investment cost of taking the road into service. Road provision and use have economic impacts. Unlike an SCBA, which focuses on the efficiency with which a road project increases accessibility for and the mobility of road users, a regional economic impact analysis (ECIA) focuses on the effectiveness of a project to affect the performance of the economy of a region by enhancing time and place utilities creation by non-road-users. Consequently, an analysis of the effect construction, operation and use of a road will have on regional economic performance should focus on their expected income multiplier and accelerator effects on the number and size of activities in the economy of a region. The following non-road-user groups can be distinguished: (a) The public, (b) landowners, occupants and land users, (c) roadside enterprises, (d) utility enterprises and (e) goods consignors and consignees (in their capacity as non-road-users). An ECIA is based on a consideration of market prices. In an ECIA the following objectives serve as criteria for judging the impact of a road project on the performance of the economy: • Economic growth (including economic development) • Full employment • Price stability • Balance of payments stability • Equitable distribution of income These impacts, regardless of how positive they may be, are not included in an SCBA for the following reasons: • A comprehensive economic assessment consists of two components that are performed in tandem, namely an SCBA and an ECIA. An SCBA relies on allocative efficiency as assessment criterion, while an ECIA relies on output effectiveness as assessment criterion. The inclusion of effectiveness criteria among efficiency criteria in an SCBA will result in a misrepresentation of project viability. • Double counting of benefits will occur when road user cost savings and economic impacts are combined. • Not all the economic benefits obtained through coordinated investment in various sectors, one of which may be a road, can be ascribed to the investment in the road alone. The reason for conducting an ECIA of a road project is to determine to what measure the analysed road is expected to affect the performance of the economy of the region concerned. Although the results of an ECIA do not form part of the outcome of an SCBA, an ECIA can be used as an instrument in the pursuit of the economic policy objectives of a government.

Die hoofdoel van die sosialekoste-voordeel-ontleding (SKVO) van 'n pad is om die inligting oor die koste en voordele te verskaf wat nodig is om die lewensvatbaarheid, al dan nie, van die voorsiening en gebruik van die pad te beraam. Die kostekomponent in die SKVO is die eenmalige investeringskoste om die pad tot stand te bring, en die voordeelkomponent is die daling van die herhalende koste wat uit die gebruik en instandhouding van die pad sal spruit. Die hoofdoel van die ekonomiese-impakontleding (EKIO) van 'n pad behels dat die verwagte gevolge van die voorsiening en gebruik van die pad op die ekonomiese vertoning van 'n bepaalde streek geïdentifiseer en bereken word. Dié ontleding berus hoofsaaklik op die volgende: (a) die beraming van die verwagte eenmalige streeksinkome-vermenigvuldigereffek wat uit die investeringsbesteding aan die pad sal spruit, en (b) die beraming van die herhalende streeksinkome-versnellereffek wat uit die gebruik en instandhouding van die pad sal spruit. Die ekonomiese uitwerking van 'n padprojek word nie by 'n SKVO ingereken nie. Die rede hiervoor is drievoudig: Eerstens berus 'n SKVO op toewysingsdoelmatigheid as beoordelingsnorm, en 'n EKIO op doeltreffendheid as beoordelingsnorm. Die kombinering van doeltreffendheidsnorme en doelmatigheidsnorme sal tot 'n wanvertolking van 'n projek se ekonomiese lewensvatbaarheid lei. Tweedens sal voordele dubbeld getel word indien padgebruikerskostebesparings en ekonomiese impakte saamgevoeg word. Derdens kan ekonomiese voordele wat verkry word deur gekoördineerde investering in verskeie sektore, waarvan een 'n pad is, nie alles aan investering in die pad toegeskryf word nie.