Infrastructure for Growth and Human Development in Pakistan : A Simulation Analysis of Fiscal Policy Options
This paper explores the use of fiscal policy to accelerate development in Pakistan during the period 2013-2022, with a focus on the creation of fiscal space for increased investment in infrastructure, as well as on indicators related to macro and s...
Main Authors: | , |
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Format: | Policy Research Working Paper |
Language: | English en_US |
Published: |
World Bank, Washington, DC
2013
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Subjects: | |
Online Access: | http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/2013/08/18067770/infrastructure-growth-human-development-pakistan-simulation-analysis-fiscal-policy-options http://hdl.handle.net/10986/15916 |
Summary: | This paper explores the use of fiscal
policy to accelerate development in Pakistan during the
period 2013-2022, with a focus on the creation of fiscal
space for increased investment in infrastructure, as well as
on indicators related to macro and sectoral developments,
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), and education. In terms
of method, the analysis relies on simulations with a
Pakistani version of MAMS (Maquette for MDG Simulations), a
Computable General Equilibrium model developed at the World
Bank for country strategy analysis. The different policy
scenarios point to the importance of selecting
infrastructure projects with high productivity effects and
the crucial role of financing in determining the net effects
of expanded government infrastructure spending. Transfer
programs can generate immediate welfare gains but are less
effective over time unless they are designed to raise
productivity, perhaps via improvements in health, nutrition,
and education outcomes. A final high-growth scenario
explores requirements and consequences for Pakistan's
economy if, during the period 2013-2022, it managed to raise
its rate of annual GDP growth from the 4-5 percent range to
7 percent. The results for the final scenario indicate that
rapid growth acceleration may be achieved via a combination
of strong increases in savings, investment and total factor
productivity. By 2022, 10 years of growth at a rate of 7
percent would spread across the macro demand indicators as
well as the major production sectors. Its effects would
include significant, broader gains in terms of poverty
reduction and better outcomes for indicators. |
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