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Constraints to Achieving the MDGs with Scaled-Up Aid

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Listed:
  • François Bourguignon
  • Mark Sundberg

Abstract

This paper examines the macroeconomic and structural constraints to scaling up aid flows to developing countries to meet the Millennium Development Goals in 2015, including infrastructure, competitiveness and the real exchange rate, labour markets, fiscal constraints, governance, and aid volatility and fragmentation. The impact of these constraints on cost-efficient sequencing and composition of scaled-up aid flows is considered, using a dynamic computable general equilibrium model applied to Ethiopia. The main conclusions are that: (i) accelerating growth through productivity-enhancing infrastructure investment (and improved governance) is key to achieving the MDGs; (ii) large increases in aid risk undermining competitiveness and future growth; and (iii) skilled labour constraints require careful aid sequencing that limit the scope for frontloading.

Suggested Citation

  • François Bourguignon & Mark Sundberg, 2006. "Constraints to Achieving the MDGs with Scaled-Up Aid," Working Papers 15, United Nations, Department of Economics and Social Affairs.
  • Handle: RePEc:une:wpaper:15
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    File URL: http://www.un.org/esa/desa/papers/2006/wp15_2006.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Estache, Antonio, 2004. "Emerging infrastructure policy issues in developing countries - a survey of the recent economic literature," Policy Research Working Paper Series 3442, The World Bank.
    2. David Dollar & Craig Burnside, 2000. "Aid, Policies, and Growth," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 90(4), pages 847-868, September.
    3. Michael A. Clemens & Steven Radelet & Rikhil Bhavnani, 2004. "Counting chickens when they hatch: The short-term effect of aid on growth," International Finance 0407010, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    4. Burnside, Craig & Dollar, David, 2004. "Aid, policies, and growth : revisiting the evidence," Policy Research Working Paper Series 3251, The World Bank.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Osakwe, Patrick N. & Ben Hammouda, Hakim, 2006. "Financing Development in Africa: Trends, Issues and Challenges," MPRA Paper 1815, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    2. repec:unu:wpaper:wp2012-69 is not listed on IDEAS
    3. Arnab Acharya & Melisa Martínez-Álvarez, 2012. "Aid Effectiveness in the Health Sector," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2012-069, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    4. François Bourguignon & Mark Sundberg, 2006. "Absorptive Capacity and Achieving the MDGs," WIDER Working Paper Series RP2006-47, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    5. Rob Vos & Marco V. Sánchez & Cornelia Kaldewei, 2010. "Latin America and the Caribbean’s challenge to reach the MDGs: financing options and trade-offs," Palgrave Macmillan Books, in: Marco V. Sánchez & Rob Vos & Enrique Ganuza & Hans Lofgren & Carolina Díaz-Bonilla (ed.), Public Policies for Human Development, chapter 2, pages 17-69, Palgrave Macmillan.
    6. Alkassoum Sangare, Saadatou & Maisonnave, Helene, 2018. "Mining and petroleum boom and public spending policies in Niger: a dynamic computable general equilibrium analysis," Conference papers 332982, Purdue University, Center for Global Trade Analysis, Global Trade Analysis Project.
    7. Asmah, Emmanuel E. & Levin, Jorgen, 2008. "Aid-Financed Public Investments and the Dutch Disease: Evidence from Tanzania," Working Papers 2008:3, Örebro University, School of Business.
    8. Acharya, Arnab & Martínez-Álvarez, Melisa, 2012. "Aid Effectiveness in the Health Sector," WIDER Working Paper Series 069, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    9. Feeny, Simon & de Silva, Ashton, 2012. "Measuring absorptive capacity constraints to foreign aid," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 29(3), pages 725-733.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Millennium Development Goals (MDGs); aid effectiveness; scaling up aid; absorptive capacity.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O11 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Macroeconomic Analyses of Economic Development
    • O12 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Microeconomic Analyses of Economic Development
    • O21 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Development Planning and Policy - - - Planning Models; Planning Policy

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