Population aging and long-term care policies in the Gulf region: a case study of Oman

Population aging is a phenomenon occurring across the globe including in countries traditionally exhibiting population dividends and “youth bulges.” The Gulf Corporation Council countries are no exception as they currently experience a process of population aging, albeit at a different stage from many developed countries. However, due to historically high fertility rates and fast-paced epidemiological transition, some of these countries will experience population aging at a higher pace than what has been observed in Europe and the United States. This article reviews recent developments in long-term care policies in the Gulf region with a focus on Oman as an example of a high-income Arab country that is experiencing population aging while still being governed by traditional family aged-care norms. Utilizing existing data and published research complemented by policy analysis and field visits, we analyze the process of population aging in Oman and neighboring countries and its policy implications.     

我国中性财政政策选择解析

从一国经济的可持续发展来看,积极财政政策的实施只能是阶段性、暂时性的,随着一国经济形势的发展变化应适时适度做出相应调整,才能更加科学地调控宏观经济布局和结构,使其沿着健康、稳定的发展运行轨道前进。伴随着我国积极财政政策的连续实行,经济增长加速效应突出,国民经济领域产生了许多结构性的问题和矛盾,这迫使我国财政政策的选择有必要由扩张性向中性转移。把握积极财政政策向中性的财政政策逐步过渡的“火候”,就要充分适应经济形势的不断变化,在调控目标、调控方式、调控手段和方法组合上进行适时调整,采用更为适合我国国情的科学的宏观调控财政手段。     

BT融资模式在交通建设中的应用

结合BT模式工程项目的运作实践,对BT融资建设模式进行了分析。分析认为,选择合适的项目实施结构,兼顾参与各方利益;严格投标人资源标准;明确建设标准和工程接口;加大政府监管力度,保证BT项目建设质量是BT模式实施中应注意的几个问题。同时认为,建立BT模式的相关法律、法规体系;构建BT模式的风险防范机制是推行BT方式不可忽视的重要方面。     

发达市场地区中小企业融资渠道借鉴

2009年爆发经济危机以来,全球失业率大幅增长,中小企业在提供就业机会、复苏经济方面发挥着不可小觑的作用。中小企业的发展是世界焦点,融资缺口更是全球亟待解决的难题。通过比较发达和发展中国家的融资历史,解析了发达国家地区中小企业融资的渠道类型,为解决中国中小企业融资难题提出了一点建议。     

Embedded counselling in advisory work with clients in debt

This article addresses the potential for embedded counselling in social work with clients in debt. It is based on experiences from Sweden where budget and debt advisors employed by the municipalities give assistance to clients in financial difficulties. A distinction is made between advice and guidance on the one hand and counselling on the other. As the financial problems often have been long lasting, it is not enough with one-time advice that the client hopefully then follows. The purpose of the article, thus, is to explore the possibilities of incorporating counselling in the role of the advisor.     

“新金融”发展态势及上海的鼓励政策研究

中国式"新金融"规模不断扩大,对中国经济发展和宏观调控产生了重要影响。它在一定程度上使得经济增长与实体经济背离,也未能完全解决中小企业融资难问题。当前政策的出发点,不应仅出于控制金融风险而对"新金融"加以限制,更多的还是应考虑如何加大力度引导资金流向中小企业等实体经济。上海"新金融"政策定位,应借助"新金融"体系,引导社会资金流向实体经济,并以金融支持科技创新和产业升级转型为重点,以活跃和繁荣金融机构和中介服务体系为抓手,构建上海"新金融"鼓励政策。     

Extending social security coverage to the rural sector in China

In late 2009 China launched an innovative, voluntary programme that by 2011 had extended pension coverage to 326.4 million people in the rural sector, including contributors and beneficiaries. It requires one contribution per year and provides a flat‐rate benefit and a contributions‐related benefit through a contributory individual account, with a government guarantee that the benefit will continue for life. The programme encourages participation of persons who do not pay income taxes, and thus have no tax incentive to participate, by providing substantial government subsidies. As a further incentive, old‐age benefits are provided to older parents when all their adult children participate in the contributory programme.     

城乡一体化发展中的债务风险与融资创新

十八届三中全会提出要健全城乡发展一体化体制机制,融资机制是核心.然而,由于土地财政不可持续、融资平台潜藏巨大风险、地方政府性债务不断发酵,传统融资模式难以满足城乡发展一体化巨额融资需求.未来,地方政府主导城乡发展一体化应深度挖掘财政性、政策性和市场性融资渠道创新潜力,探索发行地方政府债券、开征房产税、开发性金融提供引导和信贷资金、资产证券化和项目融资等模式.     

Does a universal non-contributory social pension make sense for rural China?

China’s pension reform during the past three decades has allowed a majority of China’s population to be covered by a pension scheme. Of particular note has been the New Rural Pension Scheme (NRPS), a voluntary programme introduced starting in 2009. One goal of our analysis is to assess that pension scheme, using a variety of sources of information including data drawn from recent (2013 and 2015) nationwide China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Surveys (CHARLS). Our analysis involves an exploration of differences between the generosity and structure of the NRPS and other pension schemes currently in place. We also explore the feasibility of reforming the current “quasi-social pension” component of the NRPS by substituting a universal non-contributory social pension pillar. In connection with our assessment of the NRPS, we note the unusually low benefit levels for rural China.