COVID-19 has presented considerable challenges to fiscal budget allocations in developing countries, significantly affecting decisions regarding number of investments in the transport sector where precise resource allocation is required. Elucidating the long-term relationship between public transport investment and economic growth might enable policymaker to effectively make a decision in regard to those budget allocation. Our paper then utilizes Thailand as a case study to analyze the effects on economic growth in a developing country context. The study employs Cointegration and Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) techniques to account for long-term correlations among explanatory variables during 1991–2019. The statistical findings reveal a significantly positive correlation between transport investment and economic growth by indicating an increase of 0.937 in economic growth for every one-percent increment in transport investment (S.D. = 0.024, p < 0.05). This emphasizes the potential of expanding the transport investment to recover Thailand’s economy. Furthermore, in terms of short-term adjustments, our results indicate that transport investment can significantly mitigate the negative impact of external shocks by 0.98 percent (p < 0.05). These findings assist policymakers in better managing national budget allocations in the post-Covid-19 period, allowing them to estimate the duration of crowding-out effects induced by shocks more effectively.

Many previous studies find no significant effect of health insurance on health outcome in rural areas of China. Many researchers believe this could be because of the characteristics of health care provision in those areas. In this paper, we aim to examine if urbanization will change the situation. Our research question focuses on if urbanization will change the participation and performance of health insurance on health outcome in a positive direction. Using a longitudinal sample drawn from the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS), we employed multiple estimation strategies for multiple waves to handle the potential selection bias. We find that urbanization factors such as population density, transportations and housing are associated with probability of insurance participation. That is, urbanization related factors tend to increase people’s willingness of insurance participation. We also conclude that urbanization improves the performance of insurance on self-reported health outcome. Results show that the health insurance has a significant positive impact on health production in urbanized areas. Health insurance in general increases the probability of health care utilization for all areas. However, it does not lead to a significant improvement in the health outcomes in under urbanized areas because of the health provision quality or characteristics of health insurance coverage in those areas.

This inquiry endeavors to meticulously examine the intricate dynamics of the symbiotic developmental interplay among the gaming, tourism, and economic sectors in Macau. Utilizing the methodology of deviation standardization, the data undergoes scrupulous processing, invoking the entropy method to ascertain the weights of diverse evaluative indices. The developmental trajectories of Macau’s gaming, tourism, and economic domains spanning the years 2011 to 2021 are fastidiously gauged. Subsequently, a sophisticated coupled coordination model is employed to delve into the nuanced systemic interdependencies characterizing their developmental relationships. From 2011 to 2021, the holistic progression of Macao’s gaming and tourism sectors has exhibited a discernible ascent over the temporal continuum. Concurrently, the degree of coupling coordination has advanced from a state of near coordination to a commendable level of synchronized development. The overarching system of Macau’s gaming and tourism industries has transitioned from a state of disarray to one of ordered harmony, with the correlative impact of Macau’s tourism sector being adeptly realized. The supporting role played by Macau’s gaming industry in fortifying the tourism sector is conspicuously manifest. The alignment and coordination between Macau’s gaming and tourism sectors exhibit fluctuations across distinct developmental stages. During phases of nascent development in both the gaming and tourism domains, a palpable imbalance prevails. Elements such as the proliferation of gaming enterprises, international tourism revenue, aggregate output value of gaming establishments, market share held by gaming enterprises, and the profit margins thereof have, to a certain extent, impinged upon the harmonized evolution of the tripartite subsystems. This study proffers recommendations to foster the optimization and elevation of the industrial structure while championing the integration and advancement of diverse sectors. It advocates for the amplification of the propulsive impetus intrinsic to the gaming industry, coupled with the enrichment of the tourism product portfolio. Furthermore, it espouses the establishment of an effective mechanism for high-quality development, tailored to the exigencies of the contemporary era. This involves the implementation of precise policies, the facilitation of amalgamated progress in gaming and tourism, and an unwavering commitment to sustainable development through the interconnected alignment of gaming, tourism, and the broader economy. The findings of this study furnish a scientific foundation for the strategic industrial planning and developmental initiatives undertaken by relevant departments in Macau.

The urgency of implementing sharia economics and a green economy is in the same spirit as the efforts made by the international community to promote sustainable development. The purpose of this study is to describe the role of Islamic economics in realizing sustainable, green economic development. The approach used in this research is a qualitative approach through literature study and content analysis methods. The results of this study state that the concept of sharia economics, when implemented wisely by human resources as khalifah on earth based on the Qur’an and Hadith and following Islamic law, including hifdzhu al-din, hifzhu al-nafs, hifzhu al-aql, hifzhu al-nasl, and hifzhu al-maal, will realize the goal of sustainable green economic ideas. Maqashid sharia-based views have a complex mindset, considering not only environmental aspects but also moral, financial, and hereditary aspects.

This research explores the intricate relationship between digitalization, economic development, and non-cash payments in the ASEAN-7 countries over a ten-year period from 2011 to 2020. Focusing on factors such as commercial bank branches, broad money, and inflation, the study employs panel data regression analysis to investigate their impact on automated teller machine (ATM) usage. The findings reveal that commercial bank branches significantly influence ATM usage, emphasizing the role of accessibility, services, and technological preferences. Broad money also shows a significant impact on ATM transactions, reflecting the interplay between fund availability and non-cash transactions. However, inflation does not exhibit a direct influence on ATM usage. The research underscores the importance of maintaining service quality and security in the banking sector to enhance digital financial inclusion. Future research opportunities include exploring diverse non-cash payment methods and extending studies to countries with significant global economic impacts. This research contributes valuable insights to policymakers aiming to enhance digital financial inclusion policies, ultimately fostering economic growth through the digital economy in the ASEAN-7 region.

The endogenous, human, and social factors influencing the economic development of the municipalities of San Juan Cotzocón and San Pedro y San Pablo Ayutla in the Istmo de Tehuantepec region of the state of Oaxaca are analyzed. The hypothesis posits that the dimensions of endogenous development, social capital, and human capital directly impact the economic development of the respective municipalities. The study involved administering 262 questionnaires to the residents of these municipalities during the month of May 2023. The collected data were examined using exploratory factor analysis to determine the underlying structure and structural equation modeling to estimate the effects and relationships between variables. Results indicate that endogenous development, social capital, and human capital are factors in the economic development of the studied communities, with endogenous development being the most influential factor due to its statistical significance. Notably, the existence of tourist and cultural attractions in the municipalities emerges as a catalyst for local economic development in response to the establishment and operation of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec Interoceanic Corridor.