This book is the only annual study that dissects Indonesia's sub-national competitiveness at both the provincial level (covering 34 provinces) and the regional level (covering six major island groups). Based on a rich dataset of 103 indicators, the study covers four environments of competitiveness: (1) Macroeconomic Stability, (2) Government and Institutional Setting, (3) Financial, Businesses, and Manpower Conditions, and (4) Quality of Life and Infrastructure Development. It also presents each province and region's comparative strengths and weaknesses, and conducts 'what-if' policy simulations to propose policy suggestions.

Drawing on the studies by the Asia Competitiveness Institute (ACI) at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKYSPP), National University of Singapore (NUS), this book titled Balanced, Sustainable and Competitiveness Enhancement Study for Vietnam: A Critical Evaluation with Development Potentials, which is a joint research collaboration between the National Research Project on Improving Vietnam's Competitiveness and ACI-LKYSPP-NUS, provides a detailed assessment of the Vietnamese economy. We contend that Vietnam is at a critical juncture in its development whereby a new wave of far-reaching reforms is required to address persistent structural weaknesses and unleash the country's economic potentials. In addition, Vietnam's new growth model must tackle widening regional disparities which puts Vietnam at risk of becoming one country with two economies where the southern region of Vietnam pulls too far ahead of its northern and central counterparts. Based on our analysis, we propose a comprehensive policy roadmap for Vietnam to achieve balanced and sustainable development for enhanced competitiveness. The successful completion of this reform agenda will set Vietnam firmly on a dynamic growth path which will allow the country to catch up with the more advanced ASEAN member states by 2040.

This book is the fifth annual project of the Asia Competitiveness Institute studying competitiveness at the sub-national level of Greater China. ACI's flagship competitiveness study adopts a comprehensive framework to measure competitiveness by incorporating 102 indicators under four environments and 11 sub-environments. By undertaking the study at the sub-national level, it accounts for the considerable disparities within a large economy like Greater China. The study's unique methodology incorporates comparative strengths and weaknesses, and what-if policy simulations aimed at policy suggestions for each sub-national economy and region.A new feature of this competitiveness study introduces the concept of Shapley value for the assignment of weights to the various indicators that constitute competitiveness. This methodological innovation not only adds an element of objectivity in terms of the assignment of weights, but also validates the robustness of results obtained from the competitiveness studies over the past years.Moreover, the empirical research featured in this book attempts to understand the drivers of FDI inflows to Mainland China, with a specific focus on exchange rate movements and volatility. Nowadays with the international flows of goods and capital becoming ubiquitous and comprising an important aspect of national competitiveness, the role of exchange rate is drawing much more policy attention. In view of this, the research findings presented in this book make an important academic and policy contribution by empirically examining the relationship between FDI inflows and exchange rate.Finally, the timing of this publication makes it indispensable to include the interpretation and reconciliation of policy development of China after the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China held in October 2017. With the growing prosperity of its people and the improvement of its international status, China would 'realise the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation and see the people realise their aspirations for a better life.' As such, China has achieved the transformation from regaining dignity to becoming prosperous and growing strong to be a great modern socialist country visualised by President Xi Jinping. This book attempts to investigate the vision of 'growing strong to be a great modern socialist country' from different aspects.

The book 2016 Annual Competitiveness Analysis and Growth Slowdown Analysis for ASEAN-10 begins by presenting the insights of Mr George Yeo, Former Minister for Foreign Affairs of Singapore, who provides a thoughtful reflection on identities and their continued relevance for policy-making. It then provides an update to the annual competitiveness analysis for ASEAN-10. Based on a rich dataset of 121 indicators, the study covers four environments of competitiveness: (1) Macroeconomic Stability, (2) Government and Institutional Setting, (3) Financial, Businesses and Manpower Conditions, and (4) Quality of Life and Infrastructure Development. It then presents each economy's strengths and weaknesses, and conducts 'what-if' policy simulations to offer insights into the ASEAN economies. Furthermore, given prevailing worries about ASEAN economies falling into the 'middle-income trap', growth slowdown analysis for the ASEAN economies is conducted. Through income-group specific econometric models, determinants of growth slowdown are identified and predictive probability of slowdown for each ASEAN economy is computed. Finally, progress of economic reforms in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam is evaluated, from which policy implications for these countries' future development are drawn.

Indonesia's diverse economic landscape and growing importance in the global and regional stages warrant deeper understanding of the economy at sub-national levels. This book by the Asia Competitiveness Institute (ACI) is an update of ACI's annual study of the competitiveness landscape of 34 Indonesian provinces. With 100 indicators covering four environments and 12 sub-environments of competitiveness, the study's unique methodology incorporates comparative strengths and weaknesses, and 'what-if' policy simulations aimed at policy suggestions for each province.This fifth instalment will continue to feature a structure and graphical presentation that offer investors an overview of each province's competitiveness landscape. A novel addition to this update is the chapter co-authored by academics from Indonesian provinces, which details recent developments in 34 provinces of Indonesia. This latest edition also introduces a novel approach of weights assignment in the form of Shapley values as a robustness test to our findings. Additionally, a new appendix has been included which provides a richer visual representation of each province's competitiveness profile. Finally, our study on the impact of exchange rates on foreign direct investment inflows to the provinces of Indonesia is also featured as a chapter in this book.Coupled with practical insights and policy implications, this book is a recommended read for policymakers, researchers, and the general audience interested in Indonesia's economic development.

Indonesia is one of the largest economies in the world and is one of the major players in the global economy. The diversity in Indonesia's socio-economic structure from province to province and region to region warrants an in-depth inquisition at the sub-national level. This book forms part of the series of Asia Competitiveness Institute (ACI) annual flagship study on the competitiveness of the 34 provinces in Indonesia. Using over 100 indicators, the study covers four environments in (1) Macroeconomic Stability, (2) Government and Institutional Setting, (3) Financial, Businesses and Manpower Conditions and (4) Quality of Life and Infrastructure Development, and 12 sub-environments. This book also provides insights to the comparative strengths and weaknesses of the sub-national economies and conducts a 'What-ifs' policy simulation to craft targeted policy recommendations for each province.This sixth edition will continue to elucidate the competitiveness landscape of each province's competitiveness. Additionally, this edition will also feature commentaries by the local academics on the recent developments in the 34 provinces of Indonesia. In view of the importance of international trade to the Indonesia's economy, this book also features the study of impact estimation of exchange rates on exports in Indonesia.

This book is an update of the competitiveness rankings for Greater China economies at the sub-national and regional level with the latest available data. The study uses a comprehensive methodology which measures competitiveness across four unique dimensions to provide an in-depth competitiveness analysis for the 34 economies and the five regions of Greater China. It then recommends policy prescriptions which would be relevant to each economy and region based on their specific strengths and weaknesses.Aside from exploring competitiveness, the book also analyses the growth slowdown phenomenon for Greater China economies by income thresholds. This volume is recommended for scholars and researchers interested in China's economic development.