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Title Foreign investment as the engine of the agricultural transformation to attain food security in the 'liberalising' Ethiopian state: The effects of Ethiopia's interference in foreign investment and food security
Full text http://scripties.let.eldoc.ub.rug.nl/root/Master/DoorstroomMasters/InternationaleBetrek/2015/KleingeldM.Maryn/
Date 2015
Author(s) Kleingeld, M. (Maryn)
Abstract This policy analysis addresses the current paradox in Ethiopia that, on the one hand, seems to liberalise and privatise its economy in order to become an African lion while its government, on the other hand, aims to control both the political and economic practices. By taking as a case study, the attainment of food security through foreign investment, as prescribed by the ADLI strategy, this paper questions the current liberalisation of international policies in Ethiopia due to the traditional interference of the government in all political and economic affairs. This is in line with Bayart's embedded state theory, which argues that self-interest and the pursuit of hegemony prevail. The argument is that policies are not (fully) liberalised, which deters potential foreign investors from investing in Ethiopia and prevents them from contributing to food security and economic growth. This argument is based on interviews with previous investors in Ethiopia, showing that, for instance, the foreign exchange policy merely benefits the ruling government while being detrimental to economic growth. As a consequence, the structural balance of payments deficit will persist, jeopardising national food security because Ethiopia is a net food import-dependent country.
Language en
Repository Groningen - University of Groningen
Added to C-A: 2018-11-14;10:56:35