Almas Heshmati

TL;DR: In this paper, two composite Lisbon strategy indices that quantifies the level and patterns of development for ranking countries are presented. But, despite the difference in the ranking by the two indices, it is shown that the United States outperformed most EU-member states.

TL;DR: In this article, the authors studied the development of the service sector over the years in Rwanda's economy and empirically estimated its determinants by using an econometric methodology based on micro-data collected during the Rwanda Enterprise Survey 2011 and the 2014 Establishment Census.

TL;DR: In this paper, the main sources and routes for energy transmission to the global market, including Europe, are considered, and Iran is an alternative alternative for energy transmissions to Europe after lifted sanctions.

Abstract: The flow of foreign direct investment (FDI) has increased dramatically in the last two decades. However, the distribution of FDI is highly unequal and the competition among countries to attract foreign investors is fierce. This report investigates the determinants of FDI inflows to developing countries in general and to the Federal Region of Kurdistan (FRK) in particular. The emphasis is on the impact of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) active policy measures to encourage inward FDI to the region and at the same time to discourage outward FDI, respectively. We explore whether factors that affect FDI to developing countries affect Kurdistan differently and estimate the magnitude of heterogeneity and its effect by location and level of their development. The current regional investment law, the weaknesses and strengths of the law and infrastructures, institutions and their effectiveness in coordinating the efforts to facilitate inflow of FDI to the region, are investigated. Finally, we emphasize the need for the KRG to further promote investment in infrastructure and to impact economic growth, which in turn reinforce each other by attracting more investment in infrastructure and the productive sectors.

TL;DR: In this paper, the Lisbon performance of the countries of the European Union from such a long-term, structural perspective is analyzed by factor analytical means, and it is shown that a majority of the kernel Lisbon indicators go indeed hand in hand with high comparative price levels; high freight transport; high greenhouse gas emissions; low business investment rates; and low youth educational attainment rates.