This paper highlights the opportunities as well as challenges posed for Bangladesh by the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) of China. BRI is being considered as the most expensive project ever initiated connecting more than half of the world population from Asia, Europe and Africa. For writing this paper, the authors utilized published sources such as journal articles, newspaper articles and web-based information published from 2013 to 2024. The article proposes that although the involvement of Bangladesh in the BRI is not absolutely free of challenges, it can serve the ultimate national interest through greater connectivity with other countries, increased volume of trade and economic activities and socio-cultural exchange. Although, as the originator and major contributor of the BRI, China will be the principal benefiter, other partner countries can also attain considerable benefits out of this historical mega scheme through the application of appropriate vision and strategic implementation. This paper has highlighted those benefits/opportunities and challenges for Bangladesh that can be beneficial for upcoming research projects particularity aimed at development studies, political economy and international relations. On the other hand, based on the arguments made on this paper, policymakers and businessmen can formulate their best policies as well as trading strategies with mutual benefits for all the stakeholders involved.

The article examines the current state of fertility processes in Kazakhstan, the diversity of reproductive scenarios, and the reasons for their formation. The authors proceed by analysing the sovereign demographic system formed in Kazakhstan in the first quarter of the 21st century based on the Kazakh ethnic group. Cluster analysis was performed for demographic zones, considering indicators such as the proportion of Kazakhs in the urban population and the total fertility rate in cities. We believe that case technology allows us to demonstrate the differences in the reproductive attitudes and behaviour of urban Kazakhs, ultimately determining the trends in reproductive processes in the country. The focus is given to the socio-cultural and socio-economic differences across the regions of Kazakhstan and their impact on fertility processes in the context of the accelerated urbanisation of Kazakhs. The main variants of adaptation of the reproductive behaviour of Kazakhs to new urban living conditions are described, and an assumption is made about further prospects for maintaining or changing birth rates in Kazakhstan.

Agriculture is an industry that plays an essential role in economic development towards eliminating poverty issues, but foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows to this sector remain modest in Vietnam. This study analyzed the determinants of foreign direct investment in the agricultural sector into the Southern Key Economic Zone (KEZ) of Vietnam, which is considered the foreign direct investment magnet of Vietnam, but its FDI inflows into the agricultural sector have been consistently low, and has shown a downward trend in recent years. The study was based on a sample of 129 foreign investors of a total of 164 multinational enterprises (MNEs) in the agricultural sector, including representatives of the Board of Directors and representatives at the department level. The Partial Least Squares Structural Equation modeling (PLS-SEM) approach was used to test the hypotheses. Findings indicated that FDI attraction policies have the strongest impact on FDI inflows. This was followed by infrastructure, regional agriculture policies, public service quality, natural conditions, and human resources. This study suggests policy recommendations to improve foreign direct investment inflows into the agricultural sector of the Southern Key Economic Zone (KEZ) of Vietnam.

This research can help improve public health and ensure the sustainable transformation of the food system. This study aims to analyze the success of Regional Food Security development activities through Community Empowerment with the food independent village program carried out by regional command units in the ranks of Korem 063/SGJ (Sunan Gunung Jati). This study uses qualitative descriptive with comparative methods. Population includes villages that have received the food independent village program in West Java (Kuningan, Cirebon, Majalengka, and Cirebon City) between 2009 and 2022. The research sample consisted of 4 villages selected from each of the districts/cities. The research informants totalled 37 people, consisting of stakeholders from the Korem 063/Sunan Gunung Jati Unit and its staff, the Food Security Service, village heads, affinity groups or farmers, and community leaders in the research area. The results of the study indicate that the success and failure in the implementation of the food independent village program by affinity groups and the food security development activity program by Satkowil have an effect on food availability, food distribution and food consumption. This research is expected to provide a comprehensive overview of the implementation of the food independent village program and food security development activities by regional command units in West Java.

This study examines the impact of education quality and innovative activities on economic growth in Shanghai through international trade and fixed asset formation. The study examines how higher education quality and innovation activities drive regional economic growth, with a focus on the mediating effects of international trade and fixed asset formation in Shanghai. The study adopts a quantitative approach utilizing panel data from 31 provinces in China covering the period from 1999 to 2022. The study incorporates variables such as education quality, innovation capacity, and GDP per capita, as well as control variables like labor, capital, and infrastructure. The methodology involves multiple regression models and robustness tests to verify the relationships between and effects of education quality and innovation with regard to economic growth. This study analyzes the direct and indirect effects of university R&D expenditure and innovation on economic growth using a regression model, based on data from 2014 to 2022 in relation to Shanghai. The model introduces variables such as international trade, capital formation, and urbanization to analyze the relationship between higher education quality and economic growth.

Papua, one of the provinces in Indonesia, is recognized for its limited infrastructure and high poverty rates. This limitation undoubtedly emphasizes the government’s special attention toward augmenting foreign and domestic investments by expanding industrial sectors to absorb more labor, thereby aiming to enhance the region’s economic performance. The focus of the study seeks to assess the extent to which foreign and domestic investments, industrial employment, and the proliferation of industries in Papua contribute to increasing the Gross Development Product (GDP) and reducing poverty. By employing secondary data from 2016 to 2022 and utilizing the Regression Data Panel method, it encompasses 29 districts. The findings reveal that domestic investment, employment in the industrial sector, and the number of industries significantly influence poverty rates. However, as conclusion, foreign investment, surprisingly, demonstrates no substantial impact on economic performance. This unexpected result might be attributed to issues linked with the inadequate quality of financial performance, which doesn’t align with the available investment funds. Utilizing the analytical network process (ANP), the study outlines two primary strategies. The first involves prioritizing investment expansion by focusing on both domestic and foreign investments. The second strategy emphasizes industrial revitalization through augmenting the number of industries and enhancing labor participation in the industrial sector.