Infrastructure And Economic Growth In Asia (economic Studies In Inequality, Social Exclusion And Well-being)

Public spending on infrastructure plays an important role in promoting economic growth and poverty alleviation. Empirical studies unequivocally show that under-investment in infrastructure limit economic growth. At the same time, numerous other studies have shown that investment in infrastructure can be a highly effective tool in fighting poverty reduction1. In that context, the financing of infrastructure has been a critical element of most economic growth and poverty reduction strategies in developing countries, since the start of this millennium. This book provides a comparative analysis of the aggregate and sectoral implications of higher spending on infrastructure in three very different Asian countries: China, Pakistan, and the Philippines. Particular attention is paid to the role of alternative financing mechanisms for increasing public infrastructure investment, namely distortionary and non-distortionary means of financing. The book will be of interest to scholars and policy-makers concerned with economic growth in developing countries. Public spending on infrastructure plays an important role in promoting economic growth and poverty alleviation. Empirical studies unequivocally show that under-investment in infrastructure limits economic growth. At the same time, numerous other studies have shown that investment in infrastructure can be an effective tool in fighting poverty reduction. In that context, the financing of infrastructure has been a critical element of most economic growth and poverty reduction strategies in developing countries since the start of this millennium. This book provides a comparative analysis of the aggregate and sectoral implications of higher spending on infrastructure in three very different Asian countries: China, Pakistan, and the Philippines. Particular attention is paid to the role of alternative financing mechanisms for increasing public infrastructure investment, namely distortionary and non-distortionary means of financing. The book will be of interest to scholars and policy-makers concerned with economic growth in developing countries Introduction / John Cockburn, Yazid Dissou, Jean-yves Duclos, Luca Tiberti -- Infrastructure And Growth / Yazid Dissou, Selma Didic -- The Growth And Distributive Impacts Of Public Infrastructure Investments In The Philippines / Erwin Corong, Lawrence Dacuycuy, Rachel Reyes, Angelo Taningco -- Growth And Distributive Effects Of Public Infrastructure Investments In China / Yumei Zhang, Xinxin Wang, Kevin Chen -- Public Infrastructure And Economic Growth In Pakistan: A Dynamic Cge-microsimulation Analysis / Vaqar Ahmed, Ahsan Abbas, Saira Ahmed -- Conclusion / John Cockburn, Yazid Dissou, Jean-yves Duclos, Luca Tiberti. Edited By John Cockburn [and Three Others]. Includes Bibliographical References. Front Matter....Pages i-ix Introduction....Pages 1-4 Infrastructure and Growth....Pages 5-45 The Growth and Distributive Impacts of Public Infrastructure Investments in the Philippines....Pages 47-86 Growth and Distributive Effects of Public Infrastructure Investments in China....Pages 87-116 Public Infrastructure and Economic Growth in Pakistan: A Dynamic CGE-Microsimulation Analysis....Pages 117-143 Conclusion....Pages 145-148