Research Article
Current Situation and Policy Solutions for Developing the Halal Economic and Trade Ecosystem in Vietnam
Pham Phuong Thao, Do Thi Hong Nhung, Nguyen Kien Trung
Middle East Research Journal of Economics and Management; 1-6.
https://doi.org/10.36348/merjem.2026.v06i01.001
The Halal economy has emerged as one of the most dynamic and rapidly expanding sectors of the global economy, driven by the consumption demand of more than 1.9 billion Muslims worldwide. The Halal market has expanded beyond food products to encompass a wide range of sectors, including pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, tourism, logistics, and Islamic finance. Vietnam is considered to possess significant potential to participate in the global Halal supply chain due to its abundant agricultural resources, strong food processing capabilities, and extensive network of free trade agreements. However, the Halal economic ecosystem in Vietnam remains at an early stage of development, with limitations related to institutional frameworks, certification systems, and enterprise capacity. This study examines the current state of the Halal economic and trade ecosystem in Vietnam and identifies key challenges hindering its development. Based on this analysis, several policy recommendations are proposed to promote the sustainable development of Vietnam’s Halal ecosystem and enhance its integration into the global Halal market.
Research Article
Fuel Subsidy Removal and Inflation Dynamics in Nigeria
Abraham Anthony, KUNEMOEMI, Zacchaeus
Middle East Research Journal of Economics and Management; 7-19.
https://doi.org/10.36348/merjem.2026.v06i01.002
This study investigated the impact of fuel subsidy removal on inflation dynamics in Nigeria over the period 1990–2025. Fuel subsidy removal was proxied by fuel subsidy expenditure, pump price of fuel, crude oil price, and exchange rate, while the consumer price index (CPI) served as a measure of inflation dynamics. Secondary data were sourced from the World Bank’s World Development Indicators (WDI) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Statistical Bulletin (2025), ensuring data reliability and consistency. The study adopted a rigorous econometric framework, employing the Augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) unit root test to examine stationarity properties, and the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) technique to estimate both short-run and long-run dynamics. The ARDL bounds test confirmed the existence of a long-run equilibrium relationship between fuel subsidy removal and inflation dynamics in Nigeria. Empirical findings revealed that crude oil price exerted a negative but statistically significant effect on CPI, suggesting that increases in global oil prices may moderate domestic inflationary pressures. Conversely, the pump price of fuel exhibited a positive and statistically significant relationship with CPI, reflecting its direct impact on production and transportation costs. Furthermore, fuel subsidy expenditure and exchange rate showed positive but statistically insignificant relationships with CPI in the long run. The study concluded that fuel subsidy removal significantly influenced inflation dynamics in Nigeria. It therefore recommended that the National Assembly of Nigeria strengthen oversight on subsidy allocations through periodic evaluation to ensure efficient targeting, price stability, and reduced fiscal leakages.
Research Article
Government Capital Expenditure and Nigeria’s Economic Development
David Bunaebi Sese, Oyeinbrakemi Innocent Azebi
Middle East Research Journal of Economics and Management; 20-31.
https://doi.org/10.36348/merjem.2026.v06i01.003
Nigeria’s capital expenditure has been on the increase over the years. However, the pursuit for its desired level of economic development appears to be somewhat elusive. This study investigates the impact of government capital expenditure on economic development in Nigeria. Government capital expenditures on administration, economic services, social community services, and transfers were employed as proxy for the independent variable -government capital expenditure-, while Human Development Index (HDI) was utilized as proxy for the dependent variable- economic development. Data on the selected variables for the period 1986 to 2023 were sourced from the Central Bank of Nigeria Statistical Bulletin (2023), and the World Development Indicators. These data were analysed using the Augmented Dickey-Fuller unit root test, and the Autoregressive Distributed Lagged (ARDL) Bound test technique. The ADF test indicates that the variables were integrated of order one and order zero, while the F-statistic of the bound test confirmed the existence of long-run relationship among the variables. Findings show that government capital expenditure on administration has a positive and significant influence on Nigeria’s economic development in the long-run, while capital expenditure on social community services has significant adverse effect on Nigeria’s economic development. Capital expenditures on economic services, and transfers have positive impacts which are however insignificant. Based on these findings, the study suggests among others, that the Nigeria government should increase its capital expenditure on administration, and reduce its capital expenditure on social and community services given that such spending reduces the pace of economic development in the country.
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