DPC BOSNIA DAILY: About That "Progress" You Mentioned...
Bosnia Daily: November 16, 2015 – About That "Progress" You Mentioned...
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Bosnia Daily: November 16, 2015 – About That "Progress" You Mentioned...
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Instead of an Abstract/Summary here, please refer to the Introduction PDF-file which includes the Executive Summary
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Purpose:The previous studies report ambiguous effects of public subsidies on firm productivity. The aim of the paper was to assess the effects of public subsidies on the productivityof firms that were supported by the Czech Operational Programme Enterprise and Innovation(OPEI) in the EU programming period 2007-2013. Design/methodology/approach:We used the data for 147 supported companies in the Czech food processing industry (72.4% of all beneficiaries within the industry) to calculate four indicators related to the firm productivity, i.e. value added, personnel costs, value added per personnelcosts and production efficiency. We analysed the level and development of selected productivity indicators and then we applied the paired t-test to compare the productivity in the period before the intervention (2005-2007) with the post-programme period (2014-2015). Findings: The obtained results suggest that participation of the Czech food processing companies in the OPEI did not lead to the higher productivity of the supported enterprises, both in terms of labour productivity and production efficiency two years after the end of the intervention. Research/practical implications:The presented findings, therefore, suggest that there is no significant impact of the public support from the OPEI on the productivity of supported enterprises in the Czech food industry. However, it is worth mentioning, that the results must be taken as a preliminarysince we have not accounted for the firm-level characteristics such as firm size. The changes in the productivity indicators might also take more time, and therefore it would be very relevant to investigate the effects also in the long run. Originality/value:The presented study empirically contributes to the knowledge on the relationship between the allocationof the public subsidies and firm productivity from the perspective of the Czech agribusiness sector.
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The article analyzes the changes occurred in a Transylvanian village farming. First part of the paper focuses on the economic and social frameworks and context of the rural farming. The main part of the analysis based on the theoretical concepts of pluriactivity, diversification and food self-provisioning and the conceptualization of the special literature analyzes the economic strategies of a Romanian village, seeking to present a typology based on nature of economic strategies. The author argues that the main strategy is pluriactivity, however the limited forms of diversification are also present in the farming patterns of the village, which mark a shift toward a more specialized, profit-oriented farming. Near this strategies the food self-provisioning is also present, what is more there has appeared new ideologies and meanings regarding to food very well known mostly from the western countries' alternative food networks.
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The study attempts to present the economic strategies of a settlement, in which employment in state companies built upon a specific environmental resource (natural gas extraction) as well as the success of an independent enterprise has significantly transformed the livelihood strategies based on agriculture, resulting in a change in lifestyle as well. The studied settlement represents the opposite model of the villages re-peasantised after the regime change, described in the Transylvanian scholarly literature. The study analyses the economic behaviour modes, as well as the changes in the livelihood strategies observed in a settlement along the Kis-Küküllő (Târnava Mică) River, aiming to present the stratification of the rural society based on economic strategies. The author outlines the way in which in this multiethnic (inhabited by Hungarians, Romanians and Romani) small settlement, the bakery which used to function as a cooperative during socialism became a well-established company employing a significant part of the village's population, being present in important segments of the national markets, connecting the previously isolated small settlement with new regional and national networks. He also presents the significance of the natural gas extraction activities from the point of view of livelihood strategies, after which he presents the economic strategies built upon agricultural activities.
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UKRAINE ON THE INTERNATIONAL MARKETS: PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS // 1. THE CURRENT STATE OF UKRAINE'S FOREIGN TRADE // 2. FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE UKRAINE'S FOREIGN TRADE // 3. CONCLUSIONS AND PROPOSALS // DEVELOPMENT OF UKRAINE'S EXPORT POTENTIAL: AN EXPERT VIEW // UKRAINE'S EXPORT POTENTIAL: THE PRIORITIES OF INTEGRATION // CHANGES ON THE WORLD ALUMINIUM MARKET: UKRAINE'S PROSPECTS UKRAINE ON THE WORLD ARMS MARKET // EXPORT OF UKRAINIAN SCRAP METAL: THE EXPERIENCE OF STATE REGULATION // UKRAINE - IRAQ: TO TRADE, OR NOT TO TRADE?
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AGRARIAN REFORM IN UKRAINE: ACHIEVEMENTS AND MISCALCULATIONS // 1. AGRARIAN REFORM IN UKRAINE: THE PRESENT STATUS AND CURRENT TRENDS // 2. FACTORS THAT DETERMINE THE RESULTS OF AGRARIAN REFORM // 3. CONCLUSIONS AND PROPOSALS // POSITIONS OF THE DEPUTY GROUPS ON AGRARIAN REFORM IN UKRAINE // AGRARIAN REFORM IN UKRAINE: THE RESULTS AND PROSPECTS // Secretariat of the Commission for Agrarian Policy under the President of Ukraine // AGRARIAN REFORM IN UKRAINE: THE RESULTS AND PROSPECTS // THE FIFTH WHEEL IN A PEASANT CART? THE ROLE OF PUBLIC ORGANISATIONS IN LAND REFORM IN UKRAINE // THE LIST OF PUBLICATIONS BY UCEPS EXPERTS IN 2001
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As part of the EU-Republic of Moldova Association Agreement, the Republic of Moldova committed to approximate its sanitary and phytosanitary and animal welfare law to that of the European Union. However, approximating the EU legislation is not going to be an easy process. The Decision no.1/2016 of the EU-Moldova Sanitary and Phytosanitary Sub-Committee modifying Annex XXIV-B to the Association Agreement [2016/1074] adopts the full list of the EU legislation to be approximated by the Republic of Moldova and can be regarded as official Moldova SPS Strategy. The SPS Strategy refers to around 240 directives and regulations including general aspects, veterinary legislation, placing on the market of food, feed and animal by-products, food safety rules, specific rules for feed, phytosanitary legislation, genetically modified organisms and veterinary medical products. Deadlines for approximation cover the time period 2016-2020. It should be mentioned that around 10 pieces of EU legislation are directly relevant for the Moldovan dairy sector, which is the subject of this paper. Unfortunately, we do not have any evidence on the effective degree of approximation of the pieces of legislation due to be approximated in the period 2016-mid 2017.
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Cluster development is important with the specificity of the modern innovative economy as a factor in increasing the competitiveness of agriculture and the agro-industrial complex in general. In this regard, this article explains the development of proposals for the introduction of a cluster system in improving the competitiveness of agricultural products.
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Elimination of animal-based products, often related to a vegetarian or vegan diet, is one of the most popular nutritional trends observed around the world. This chapter provides an overview of the assortment, market and consumption of various meat alternatives. Products replacing meat are made of various types of (mostly) plant-based raw materials including pulses/legumes, cereal proteins (mainly gluten), oilseeds, fungi (edible mushrooms) and algae; however, cultured meat and edible insects are also described. The market of meat alternatives was estimated at USD 10,11 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of minimum 15% by 2030. Europe has the largest share (52%) of the global market followed by North America (27%), Asia Pacific (12%), Latin America (6%) and Middle East and Africa (4%). The top producers are Beyond Meat, Boulder Brands, Hain Celestia, Nestlé, Garden Protein International, Vivera, Lightlife Foods, Woolworths, Naturli’ Foods and Sainsbury’s. Despite the fact that vegetarians and vegans constitute 6.4% and 6% of global consumers, respectively, more and more people are willing to either reduce the consumption of meat (62%) or animal-origin (42%) products. This is due to the fact that the consumption of meat-free products plays a role in sustainable development considering multiple health, economic and environmental issues.
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The purpose of the chapter is to reflect on global challenges from the perspective of developing countries, what is significant in order to prevent developmental disproportions from deepening. The following global challenges were identified and described: poverty and hunger, developmental inequalities, degradation of the environment and global security. Descriptive and comparative analysis methods were used in order to prepare the chapter, supplemented by presentation of research results, obtained mainly on the basis of selected descriptive statistics methods. The statistical database of the World Bank, United Nations Development Programme, Food and Agriculture Organisation and International Monetary Fund were used. Marginalisation of the developing countries and the challenges they are facing may bring tragic, and what is more global repercussions and, consequently, lead to a new division of the world, escalation of hatred, wars of Western civilisations with the followers of the extreme ideologies, rising inequalities and large uncontrolled migrations, among others. We are witnessing the destruction of ecosystems, global warming, cross continental terrorism, the problems of poverty and hunger – these are just a few of the consequences of ignorance of the problems of developing countries. The interconnections of the modern world economy leave no doubt that actions to solve them should be supported by the global community and their solutions cannot be solved without global involvement.
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The multi-dimensional European Green Deal strategy implemented in the European Union requires a systemic approach to achieve optimal results. One of the concepts offering a systemic approach to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals is the Compass for Systemic Change, which was developed in cooperation between Systemiq and the Club of Rome and published in 2020. The aim of the chapter is to discuss the concept of the Compass for Systemic Change by presenting its assumptions, the recommendations for actions contained therein and the assessment of the possibility of implementing a systemic perspective into activities undertaken in the European Union. Text analysis is applied in the chapter as a research method. The idea of the System Change Compass is to combine numerous and diverse activities to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, soas to take care of the future of our planet in the best possible way. This will not be possible without increased efforts from all stakeholders, taking into account the complexity of the entire process and the challenges that need to be faced.
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As a result of the armed conflict in Ukraine, nearly a third of Ukrainians have been forcibly displaced from their homes. This is one of the largest displacement crises in the world and in our time. Bulgaria and Poland were among the first EU countries to welcome the migrant wave in the early hours of the war. The aim of this paper is to identify the current problems and certain socio-economic prospects of Ukrainian migrants in Poland and Bulgaria after the start of the military conflict The article also aims to try to answer the question of whether it is possible to revive rural areas in Poland and Bulgaria, given the potential that incoming foreigners (mostly Ukrainian citizens) represent for our countries. To achieve the set goal, the authors use quantitative and qualitative methods, representative official statistical data from the NSI, migration services, non-governmental organizations, results of primary research, office studies, Internet sources etc. The application of the scientific method, as well as the inductive and deductive methods helps to analyze demographic and socioeconomic processes in their dynamic development and highlight their impact on the socio-economic environment in Bulgaria and Poland. The authors reveal the need to make more effective use of the economic and social potential of migrants and the opportunities for rural revitalization in both host countries. The integration of migrant business into the economic environment of Bulgaria and Poland requires not only training of the migrants themselves, but also of the institutions and society as a whole regarding the benefits of this activity. This is definitely an underestimated area with huge potential that is underutilized for the socio-economic development of rural areas and ensuring a normal and peaceful existence for Ukrainian families in the chosen host country.
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The creation of added value in the agro-sector is an essential part of the strategy of any business entity interested in a competitive position in the food market in a local, national, and international context. In the framework of the European Green Deal, the European food system known as the „Farm to Fork“ strategy, must bring the benefits to the climate, biodiversity, and health of population. One way how to achieve is the way of innovations in terms of technological or marketing progress or value added. The value created in the product creation process can be supported by appropriate innovative practices, with the effective involvement of modern marketing tools and the application of market segmentation. Each market segment and each level of the food system need different added value and innovations are perceived differently. Consumer perception we consider as an important aspect in successful implementation of the „Farm to Fork“ strategy at the level of consumer. Using the example of a Slovak wine producer, we point out the possibilities of using innovative marketing approaches to increase the value of a locally produced product (segmentation, marketing communication, event marketing and using social media). We used Google analytics to evaluate the quality of marketing communication. We chose the period from 01/04/2022 to 31/10/2022 as the monitored period because it is the period when the winery is most active from marketing point of view due to many wine tours and wine tasting that take place in observed period. Moreover, the observed winery, Frtus Winery, is trying to reach a very specific target group (searching for luxury products) within in market segmentation process, so marketing communication and social media must consider this aspect. To increase the value of using social media for marketing communication, we recommend to create a content plan, use of storytelling and story selling, and to create video content. Using video as a marketing tool can be significant to the marketing strategy. Email marketing is not very new, but still interesting tool of digital marketing. The goal of email marketing is to increase customer loyalty to the brand and encourage repeated purchases. The key is keeping emails relevant and interesting. Last, but not least, we mention the marketing position of ambassador as a person who represents company/brand and cooperates with brand continuously. Ambassador can be an expert in certain field or influential figure. They have significant impact on brand reputation and sales.
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Bulgaria has one of the fastest rates of population decline in the EU and the world. In 2021, the value is observed to be 21.6% lower compared to the value recorded in 2001. Changes in rural areas are even more dynamic and have a negative impact on their development opportunities. This paper aims to examine and analyse the economic activity of the rural population using statistical data obtained from population censuses. The analysis is mainly focused on the interdependencies between economic activity, employment in agriculture and their implications for the rural economy. Correlation and regression analysis were applied to test the research hypotheses. The summary of the obtained results shows that the coefficient of economic activity rises until 2020, but activity is uneven and at different rates in different regions, with the coefficient being lower in villages at the expense of economic activity in cities; • The unemployment rate in Bulgaria has gone through three stages: until 2013, it was in double digits, then it dropped to 4.2 (in 2021), and in 2019, an increase began, which varied greatly by region. The unemployment rate is significantly higher in the villages, with the most significant differences in the younger age groups; • The correlation analysis revealed a weak, positive, and insignificant relationship between the rural population and the coefficient of economic activity, as well as the presence of a medium, positive, and significant relationship between the rural population and the agricultural labour force; According to the regression analysis, Annual work unit has a positive and significant influence on the population in rural areas, indicating that agricultural specialization and automation are still in their early stages in Bulgaria, and the workforce in the industry is structure-determining Demographic processes have a negative impact on rural development. A cyclical pattern emerges wherein a declining local economy and depopulation coexist and mutually reinforce one another. A decline in demographic potential and a lack of human capital may limit investment flow. For these reasons, investing in human capital is regarded as a critical means of reversing unfavourable trends in demographic structures and processes in all countries affected by accelerated aging and depopulation. This includes improving the health-care system, education, and other social services, as well as raising the living standards of rural inhabitants. To achieve this goal, regional demographic policies must be developed that take into account the demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of each region.
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The concept of a green economy has gained significant traction as societies worldwide seek to balance economic growth with environmental preservation. Bulgaria, a country known for its rich cultural heritage and diverse natural landscapes, stands at a crucial juncture in its development journey. By capitalizing on the nation's strengths and addressing its challenges, Bulgaria can forge a path toward economic growth while preserving its natural heritage for generations to come. Through collective effort, informed policies, and innovative practices, Bulgaria can serve as a shining example of a country committed to harmonizing economic advancement with environmental stewardship. Embracing a green economy offers Bulgaria the opportunity to foster sustainable growth, reduce environmental degradation, and enhance overall well-being. The transition to a Green economy allows Bulgaria to transform its own economy – from a low-efficiency and resource-intensive one to an economy based on knowledge, digitalization and green growth, generating high added value and guaranteeing long-term sustainability. The green economy concept centers on the integration of economic development, environmental protection, and social well-being. It emphasizes resource efficiency, the minimization of waste, and the shift towards renewable energy sources. A green economy is characterized by sustainable and environmentally friendly practices that promote economic growth while minimizing negative impacts on the environment. A green economy is an economic system that aims to reduce environmental risks and ecological scarcities while promoting sustainable development. It focuses on creating a balance between economic growth, environmental protection, and social well-being. In the context of agriculture, a green economy involves implementing practices that minimize negative impacts on the environment, conserve natural resources, and promote sustainable food production. It encompasses sectors like energy, transportation, industry, and agriculture, among others. The concept revolves around the efficient use of resources, reduction of pollution, and conservation of biodiversity. This approach aims to decouple economic growth from environmental degradation, promoting sustainable practices that meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. The successful transition to a green economy requires collaboration among government, businesses, and civil society, along with strategic investments and supportive policies. This report delves into the theoretical basis of a green economy, explores its pros and cons, identifies obstacles to its implementation, discusses challenges in the agricultural sector, highlights promising sectors, provides examples of green initiatives in Bulgaria, and on this basis offers guidelines for a more efficient transition.
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The reduction of food loss and waste (FLW) has become a global priority under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Reports from the United Nations and FAO reveal alarming statistics, with 13.3 percent of the world’s food lost post-harvest and 17 percent wasted at the consumer level. FLW is a problem found in both industrialized nations like the EU and emerging countries like Indonesia. While EU nations have committed to reducing per capita food waste by 2030, Indonesia has only begun addressing FLW. This paper explores the awareness and management of FLW in Indonesia, focusing on food recovery and redistribution strategies and their potential impact on rural sustainability development. It addresses FLW management through literature review with the aim of raising awareness to the urgency of FLW management and to support the circular economy in Indonesia. FLW is closely associated with consumer behaviour, and lessons from the EU suggests that supporting local farmers and improving the supply chain can help reduce FLW. The role of food recovery and redistribution in reducing FLW in Indonesia highlights the successful practices, emphasizing the transformation of „ugly food“ and the redistribution of excess edibles to combat FLW. Non-profit organizations in Indonesia have emerged to combat FLW by redistributing edible leftovers to those in need. Additionally, FLW recovery practices extend to agriculture, involving the reprocessing of unharvested agricultural products onto animal feed or organic fertilizers. These initiatives not only reduce waste, but also contribute to food security and poverty alleviation, especially in rural areas. The study concludes that addressing FLW in Indonesia can lead to increased food availability and sustainability. It recommends the development of national policies, programs, and partnerships to promote FLW management and the well-being of Indonesian communities. Further research is needed to identify specific challenges and opportunities for implementing food recovery and redistribution initiatives effectively. By taking concrete steps to reduce FLW, Indonesia can enhance food security and simultaneously align itself with the global sustainability agenda.
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The pressure on ecosystems has intensified as a result of excessive pollution, overexploitation and depletion of natural resources. This imposes the need of a radical change in the existing methods of processing, storage, recycling and disposal of biological resources by establishing sustainable production and consumption models. The need to step up the transition to both clean energy and sustainable, resilient and equitable food systems has never been stronger and clearer. Future implementation of the EU Bioeconomy Action Plan will need to take into account the implications for food and energy prices, as well as the prices of energy-intensive products and global supply chains, and address the resulting additional pressures on natural resources at ecosystem boundaries. Activities in the bioeconomy sectors are especially reliant on healthy ecosystems to ensure a sustained production of biomass, but at the same time activities along the bioeconomy supply chains generate environmental impacts which can damage local and global ecosystems. The bioeconomy is directly related to 11 of all 17 Sustainable Development Goals but though the EU undertakes the steps necessary to achieve sustainability, there is still a wide range of actions to be taken in order to ensure the transition towards bioeconomy and to mitigate and eliminate the negative impacts on the environment. In the study we have focused on three important indicators that give insight about current state and trends in EU and Bulgaria about bioeconomy, respectively employment in the bioeconomy, turnover in bioeconomy, and value added at factor cost in the bioeconomy. The trend in Bulgaria follows that of the EU for those indicators which indicates the continuity of the measures adopted at the EU level and the consistency of the actions at the supranational level. The paper is based on a thorough review of available reports, analysis of official documents as action plans, communications, programs, strategies and data related to bioeconomy at EU level, reviewed in the context of global efforts for achieving sustainability. The main objective of this research is to represent the international efforts aimed at the protection of natural resources and to evaluate the measures taken to stimulate the EU transition towards bioeconomy.
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The volume of subsidies allocated to regions and beneficiaries indicates an inequitable distribution. The distribution of subsidies in a territorial profile shows a considerable difference between the districts that benefited from the highest and lowest payments. Thus, a discrepancy of 5 times (in the case of subsidies per hectare) and 7 times (in the case of subsidies per person) is attested. Such a discrepancy cannot be explained by the imprecision of the indicators used. Therefore there are some problems in the eligibility criteria and/or support measures, which do not provide fair access to the subsidy fund for all regions. This situation needs to be examined in more detail to rule out these discrepancies in the future.
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