PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS

1. COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH PROJECTS

   Based on research agendas identified and formulated by MIER in connection with projects being undertaken, Canadian economic policy researchers are sought, in consultation with Queen's University, to participate with colleagues at MIER. Some of the current and projected research projects at MIER involving Canadian collaborators are:

   Key Issues in Design and Delivery of Social Programs

   The economic crisis has brought increased attention to fundamental issues in the delivery of basic social expenditure programs. The crisis has drawn attention to the importance of the social safety net and has triggered debates about the need for innovation in the delivery of social services. MIER will be following up on these issues by organizing informal workshops, seminars, and brief issue-papers for public dissemination and discussion. Among particular areas to be addressed are social security and pensions, and private provision of health services. Professor Robin Boadway of Queen's University is continuing his collaboration with MIER on these issues.

   Environment and Biodiversity

   In light of the training workshops on issues of environment and project appraisal over the past several years (see below) , MIER has been requested to undertake research on environment and biodiversity issues. Professor Peter Kennedy of the University of Victoria will follow up on his previous collaboration by working with senior state government officials at the Sarawak Biodiversity Centre on issues facing the government's newly created biodiversity protection department.

   Migration and Labour Markets

   Dr. Don DeVoretz of Simon Fraser University has been assisting MIER in developing a research program on issues of migration and labour in Malaysia. Dr. DeVoretz participated in an MIER conference on this issue in May 1998. The conference focussed discussion of the important policy issues surrounding the temporary migration (legal and illegal) of foreign labour to assist with labour shortages. Research assistance was provided by Dr. DeVoretz and Mr. Gordon Dick's, a recent M.A. graduate of the University of Victoria, who undertook a research internship attachment at MIER.

   Regulation and Market Structure

   MIER has undertaken a study of the market structure of the food processing industry for the Department of Domestic Trade, Malaysia. This study follows initial work on the development of a competition policy for Malaysia completed with the assistance of Derek Ireland of Industry Canada and Professor Christopher Maule of Carleton University, who continued their work on the market structure study.

   State Development Plans and Strategies

   As a result of the expertise developed through MIER's work on Malaysia's Post-Industrial Master Plan, as well as previous assistance given to state governments on a variety of specific issues, the institute is being approached by a number of state governments to assist with issues related to the preparation of state economic plans. Professor Sam Wilson of the University of Alberta has been assisting MIER with several such projects, including a state revenue study and a cost of living study for Johor State.

2. WORKSHOPS, SEMINARS, CONFERENCES

   Managing the Macroeconomic Crisis and Recovery

   The economic crisis in Malaysia and the region has raised some interesting and difficult macroeconomic policy issues. These issues include the appropriate exchange rate management regime, the treatment of short and long term capital flows, and the proper role and independence of the central bank. MIER and Queen's are planning a workshop and brainstorming session in 1999 in which several Canadian macroeconomic policy experts will provide an international perspective as a framework for discussion among Malaysian policy makers and researchers.

   1999 National Outlook Conference

   The NOC is MIER's premier annual policy showpiece. It presents to a large and diverse audience MIER's short and medium term economic forecasts, and domestic and international presentations on policy issues of current interest and importance. This year's conference will take place on November 30 and December 1, 1999, in Kuala Lumpur. The theme is "Towards Sustaining Economic Recovery: Issues and Challenges." Some of the topics for which sessions are being planned include: capital market reforms; debt restructuring; assessing the regulatory framework; sectoral issues; ethics and governance; trade and investment; and a social agenda. Canadian researchers have participated in the NOC since its inception. This year the project will co-fund the conference and support Canadian participation.

   Workshop on Corporate Governance

   MIER and Queen's University are organizing a workshop on corporate governance issues to take place in Kuala Lumpur in January 2000 (tentative). As Malaysia has gone from a booming "Asia Miracle" to an economy in crisis, the financial system has come under severe stress. As in other countries in the region, it is becoming increasingly apparent that some major rethinking of the framework of corporate governance is required. This workshop will include participation by several Canadian experts, as well as regional and Malaysian experts from the research, business and regulatory communities.

   Training Workshop on Project Appraisal and the Environment

   As a result of rapid income growth and industrialization, environmental management has moved closer to the forefront of policy discussions in Malaysia. MIER is contributing to policy research in this area with a series of training workshops in environmental management and policy analysis. These workshops have been organized and implemented with the assistance of Professor John Livernois of the University of Guelph, Professor Peter Kennedy of the University of Victoria, and Professor Frank Flatters of Queen's University. The first of the series took place in March 1998 and included seminars on the principles, concepts and techniques of cost-benefit analysis and on case studies involving natural resources and environmental projects in Canada and the developing world. Project intern Ms. Mona Thong of the University of Guelph also participated in this workshop. The next 3 in the series took place in November 1998 in Kuala Lumpur, and in Kuching and Kota Kinabalu in East Malaysia.

   1998 National Outlook Conference

   The most recent NOC was held in Kuala Lumpur on 1- 2 December 1998. The theme was Economic Recovery: Agenda for the Nation, which focussed on Malaysia's options for recovery in the face of the current financial and economic crisis. Canadian participants will included Professor John Helliwell of the University of British Columbia, Professor Christopher Maule of Carleton University, and Professor Frank Flatters of Queen's University.

   Workshop on the Future of Social Security in Malaysia

   Queen's University and MIER organized a two-day workshop on reforming social security in Malaysia. Sessions included public pensions, unemployment and disability insurance, and workers' compensation. The workshop was held in Kuala Lumpur in June 1998. Canadian participants included Professors Frank Flatters and Robin Boadway of Queen's University, Professor Lars Osberg of Dalhousie University, and Professors Bev Dahlby and Sam Wilson of the University of Alberta. Two papers from this workshop were published in the International and Development Studies working paper series.

   Survey Design and Industrial Data Modelling

   Dr. Peter Koumanakos, Director of the Investment and Capital Stock Division at Statistics Canada, presented a series of seminars and workshops on surveying and data modelling at MIER in March 1998. A follow up training visit to Statistics Canada is being planned for 1999.

3. OTHER PROJECT ACTIVITIES

   Internship Program

   The Project supports an internship program for recent Canadian M.A. graduates to undertake research attachments at MIER for periods of 3 months to one year. Graduates of economics programs at the Universities of Alberta, Guelph, Victoria and Simon Fraser have participated in the program, and have provided MIER with valuable research assistance on a variety of studies. These attachments have also provided valuable international experience to the interns.

   Publications

   JDInternational publishes a series of monographs arising from collaboration between Canadian and Malaysian researchers. The following discussion papers and conference proceedings are available by contacting JDInternational by email JDInternational@qed.econ.queensu.ca or by telephone (613) 533-2248 or facsimile (613) 533-6895.

   The Role of Degree-Level Private Colleges in Malaysia's Economic Development Strategy, David L. Anderson (1994)

   Fuelling the Malaysian Economy, Chan Huan Chiang and Michael Yap Meow Chung (1996)

   Forecast of Energy Consumption in Malaysia, Robert McRae (1996)

   Federal-State Fiscal Arrangements in Malaysia, L. S. Wilson (1996)

   State Revenue Equalization in Malaysia, L. S. Wilson (1996)

   Malaysia's Public Sector in the Twenty-First Century: Planning for 2020 and Beyond, edited by Sulaiman Mahbob, Frank Flatters, Robin Boadway, Sam Wilson and Elayne Yee Siew Lin (1996)

   Dynamic Factor-Based Coincident and Leading Indicators of the Malaysian Economy, Allan W. Gregory and Allen C. Head (1997)

   The Service Sectors, Economic Growth and the Balance of Payments in Malaysia: Suggestions for a Research Agenda, Alasdair Sinclair (1997)

   Economic Insecurity in the Malaysian Context, Lars Osberg (1998)

   Public Pensions: Lessons from Canada and Other OECD Countries,Bev Dahlby (1998)

   Balanced Growth: The Scope for National Polices in a Global Economy, John F. Helliwell (1999)

   Competition Policy for the Year 2000, Christopher Maule (1999)

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