African export success: finding the needle when you’re not sure which haystack

Export success in Africa is a matter of finding a rare Big Hit, with the added complication that it won’t stay a hit, and that in a few years you will need a new Big Hit.

This from a new NBER working paper by Ariell Reshef (U. Va.) and myself. We also tell some stories of the individual successes, some of which involve the local government.

The news is not that Africa is different from the rest of the world in this, but that it’s?the same.

This unstable uncertainty?holds regardless of whether you include or exclude oil, minerals, and other export commodities. And so does the concentration of success — the top-ranked non-commodity export is 23 times larger than the 10th ranked export.

The stereotype of African countries as unchanging mono-exporters based on some unchanging natural endowment just turns out to be…wrong.

Coping with such remarkably high and unstable uncertainty (the “unknown unknowns”)?as to what will be a hit?seems like an a priori case for a lot of decentralized, highly motivated seekers and experimenters. We don’t exclude ANY possible government involvement — at the very least, governments need to be nimble to adjust regulations and infrastructure to support any new success that comes along from private entrepreneurs.

In sum,?we think?there is just as much a role for entrepreneurs in Africa, and just as little role for centralized and systematic?government industrial policy, as in the rest of the world.

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African export success: finding the needle when you’re not sure which haystack

Export success in Africa is a matter of finding a rare Big Hit, with the added complication that it won’t stay a hit, and that in a few years you will need a new Big Hit.

This from a new NBER working paper by Ariell Reshef (U. Va.) and myself. We also tell some stories of the individual successes, some of which involve the local government.

The news is not that Africa is different from the rest of the world in this, but that it’s?the same.

This unstable uncertainty?holds regardless of whether you include or exclude oil, minerals, and other export commodities. And so does the concentration of success — the top-ranked non-commodity export is 23 times larger than the 10th ranked export.

The stereotype of African countries as unchanging mono-exporters based on some unchanging natural endowment just turns out to be…wrong.

Coping with such remarkably high and unstable uncertainty (the “unknown unknowns”)?as to what will be a hit?seems like an a priori case for a lot of decentralized, highly motivated seekers and experimenters. We don’t exclude ANY possible government involvement — at the very least, governments need to be nimble to adjust regulations and infrastructure to support any new success that comes along from private entrepreneurs.

In sum,?we think?there is just as much a role for entrepreneurs in Africa, and just as little role for centralized and systematic?government industrial policy, as in the rest of the world.

This entry was posted in Academic research, Trade. Bookmark the permalink. Follow any comments here with the RSS feed for this post. or leave a trackback: Trackback URL.

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Finding a San Diego Landscaper

Published November 3rd, 2010 at 5:10 pm in LANDSCAPING with no comments
Tagged with Diego, Finding, Landscaper

One of the things you may not think about when you buy a property in San Diego is landscaping. Finding a San Diego landscaper can be time consuming. It is important to know what a landscaper does, and what you want from them, before signing a contract.

First a landscaper is someone you hire in order to design a specific look for your yard. Landscape in effect means changing the condition of the land. A landscaper will make the soft and hard aspects of your yard and make them blend together. The hard aspects of your yard include porches, patios, decks, and walkways. The soft aspects of your yard are your grasses, flowers, and plants.

When looking for a San Diego landscaper you will want to find someone that is going to work with you on your dream landscape. You should first do some research to discover some of the things you might enjoy having in your yard. Decide if you would like a deck or patio added and what you want it to consist of. Would you like fountains or a small pond? What kinds of flowers do you enjoy? These are all questions you should think about and write down before interviewing your landscaper in San Diego.

One way to help you find the right landscaper in San Diego is to talk to people. Ask your friends and family who they used for their landscaping job. If you really enjoy your neighbor’s yard make sure to ask them who their landscaper was. This is a great way to first start making contacts with your future landscaper.

In order to find the right San Diego landscaper for your needs you will want to interview several. Have a design idea in mind before you start calling places to come and look. Go on the website of the San Diego landscaper that you are thinking about calling and look at their designs. It is important to check their background. Look for comments written about the company and check with the better business bureau to make sure the company is legitimate. You do not want to hire a landscaper, pay him, and then watch your yard be either ignored or destroyed. If you see something that you like then give them a call and have them come out to give you a quote. When the landscaper comes to visit be prepared to ask and answer all questions. You should have made a list of your ideas to discuss with the landscaper when he arrives. The landscaper should come with a book of his designs and questions for you about what you want. You will want to ask the landscaper about the maintenance of your landscape once it is finished. If you do not have a lot of time to take care of your lawn it is important to mention this to your landscaper. He will be able to design a yard that looks beautiful but does not require constant care.

The most important thing about finding a landscaper San Diego is to know what you want, but to also be open to ideas. You may think you want a certain plant but then the landscaper tells you what is required to have that plant and it might not sound as great anymore. irrigation and drainage are very important, touch on water conservation and make sure you hire licensed C-27 contractors

Looking for a great landscaper in the San Diego area? Want a professional who will get
your job done right the first time? Visit http://www.jcms1.com/ to learn more.

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Finding Your Real Estate Agent

Whenever you buy or sell real estate, you may be like millions of other people out there, in thinking that you don’t need a real estate agent. Most people who buy or sell homes, generally think that a real estate agent is a waste of money. Those who choose to buy a new home, think that real estate agents only add to the cost of purchasing the home.

What most people aren’t aware of, is the fact that real estate agents are normally paid by the seller, not by the buyer. As a buyer, you’ll get to work with a professional real estate agent without really having to pay for it yourself. The policies can vary greatly from state to state and company to company, which is why you should always check any paperwork or contracts that are provided to you to ensure this is the case. When you are interviewing agents, make certain to ask about any type of fees as well.

A lot of real estate agents out there may work with both buyers and sellers, although most specialize in working with either the buyer or the seller. If you are buying a home, make sure that the agent you choose has prior experience of working with buyers and transactions that involve no money down. This way, you can count on your agent to be there when you need him the most – especially if you don’t have a down payment.

If you are interviewing a real estate agent and he or she isn’t familiar with down payment assistance programs, you shouldn’t hire their services. Agents who aren’t familiar with these types of programs generally aren’t on the level, or they may lack the experience necessary to help you purchase the home of your dreams.

You can also make a list of real estate agents that you can interview based on referrals from friends, lenders, and even family. Lender referrals are normally a great choice as most lenders have worked with their recommendations in the past and both are already familiar with each other. Choosing a lenders referral can also prevent you from encountering any obstacles or surprises.

When you interview a real estate agent, make sure that you have the agent explain his fees. This way, you’ll know exactly how much he will be getting from the purchase. You should also find out how much experience he has in the field, and how long he has been working with real estate. You can also ask about sample contracts as well. If you are buying a home, you should make sure that the agent works with buyers. If you happen to be selling your home, then you’ll want to make sure that the agent works with sellers. Agents that are dedicated to one or the other are the best to choose, as they will have more experience than agents who work with both buyers and sellers.

Find a real estate agent is an easy task – providing you know what to look for. If you take things one step at a time and carefully make a decision, chances are that you’ll end up with an agent who has the experience you want. You should always be careful when you choose, and never rush the process. Real estate agents are easy to find, although finding one who fits your needs and has your budget in mind is a little tougher to locate. When you make that final decision, you should always choose an agent who has your best interest in mind – and isn’t just after the money.

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