Strategically Leveraging Infrastructure and Financing Options for Sustainable Economic Growth in Resource-based Economies
Susan Smith Nash *
American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) and Texas A&M University Texarkana, USA.
Gary Stading *
Texas A&M University Texarkana, USA.
Larry R. Davis
Texas A&M University Texarkana, USA.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This paper proposes solutions and next steps toward developing a balanced approach that strategically leverages existing infrastructure for a diversified economy and sustainable growth for resource-based economies. It includes expanding financing opportunities in these countries with a combination of infrastructure policies and energy technologies and capturing the opportunities using supply chain technologies. The goals are to avoid both “debt traps” and “Dutch Disease” by leveraging existing infrastructure within a plan that incorporates supply chain management the prudent use of available financing and strategic partnership, such as China’s Belt and Road Initiative and Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.
Keywords: Economic development, Dutch disease, infrastructure investments, economic diversification, infrastructure financing, mono-economies, neo-mercantilism, resource-dependent economies, development loans, World Bank, One Belt One Road, Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), economic growth, supply chain, Vision 2030.