Development Aid--What Does The Money Buy?

I was looking at the total amount of dollars spent by the West on development programs around the world and I started to wonder how much of that is spent on their own workers--the "Expert Consultants." Here is the graph on the total amount of development aid provided by various countries expressed as a percentage of their GDP.

Ghintang Economics' source: http://www.economist.com/node/15542846 

Here (CLICK HERE) is an explanation on the high cost of foreign consultants and experts brought in by a lot of these agencies and the problems associated with that practice.

Of Ghettos and "Gallis!"

I was happy to see the support and endorsement I got for the "Galli Aapnaun" (CLICK HERE) project that I proposed. I am sure that there are a few who would argue that it can't happen or won't happen. Well, I thought I might be able to persuade them with the help of this inspiring video--a story of success in the south Bronx!

                      

One More...Have We Hit A "Century" Yet?

There is one more bank entering the financial market of Nepal. It plans to start operations sometime during the second week of February. The CEO of the new Century Bank says (CLICK HERE) that they plan to get involved in both commercial lending and micro-finance lending. He tells the reporter of The Kathmandu Post that the bank's slogan is "Simple Banking For All."

Here is a graph of the various financial institutions from Nepal Rastra Bank's (Nepal's Central Bank) website. 

Growth of Financial Institutions in Nepal

  

"Galli Aapnaun"

I was driving on the highway and realized something that I had overlooked for a while--"Adopt A Highway" signs! So, I sat down and put my thoughts on paper. The article is published on Nepali Blogger (CLICK HERE). Please feel free to add your ideas/thoughts, which will undoubtly help improve it. Also, share it on Facebook so other Nepali people are aware of this project!

Nepal's GDP Growth--Hijo, Aaja, Bholi

Ghintang Economics' source: http://www.tradingeconomics.com/

New Bubble?

According to the World Bank data for Nepal, the Gini-index, a measure of income disparity, stood at 38 in 1996 and increased to 47 in 2004—an increase of about 24 percent. The overall income share of the richest 20% of Nepali people increased in the same time period from 46% to 54%, whereas the share decreased for all other income groups. In fact, the income share of the second richest 20% and the middle 20% dropped by 14% and 20%, respectively. It is very likely that the rich have a lower propensity to consume and would therefore save. However, due to the risk of inflation, these individuals would look elsewhere for saving rather than at a typical savings account—a well performing real-estate market was a perfect store of value. As the residential real estate market pulled back in recent years, is the money moving towards commercial real estate? Here is an article (CLICK HERE) from MyRepublica on the rise of commercial complex construction . Is a new bubble on the way? Is it the end of the "Kirana Pasal" concept that gives Kathmandu its unique identity?

"Ask What You Can Do For Your Country"--JFK