ARR720S - APPLIED AND RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - 1ST OPP - JUNE 2024


ARR720S - APPLIED AND RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - 1ST OPP - JUNE 2024



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nAmlBIA UnlVERSITY
OF SCIEnCE Ano TECHnOLOGY
FACULTYOF ENGINEERINGAND THE BUILTENVIRONMENT
DEPARTMENTOF ARCHITECTURE,PLANNINGAND CONSTRUCTION
QUALIFICATION: BACHELOROF REGIONALAND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
QUALIFICATIONCODE: 07BRAR LEVEL:7
COURSECODE:ARR720S
COURSENAME:
APPLIED REGIONAL AND RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
SESSION:JUNE 2024
DURATION: 3 HOURS
PAPER: 1
MARKS: 100
FIRST OPPORTUNITY EXAMINATION QUESTION PAPER
EXAMINER(S) Dr Nico Sisinyize
MODERATOR: Ms. Naita Kamho
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Answer ALL the questions.
2. Question 1, consist of multiple-choice questions, you must choose one correct answer
from the options provided.
3. Read all the questions carefully before answering.
4. Number the answers clearly
THIS QUESTION QUESTIONPAPERCONSISTSOF 6 PAGES
(Including this front page)

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Applied Regionaland RuralEconomicDevelopment
ARR720S
QUESTION 1
a) What is meant by the term economic development?
(1)
1. The processof increasingthe efficiency of production in a country
2. The improvement of economic indicators such as GDP and per capita income.
3. The sustainable improvement in the standard of living and well-being of a
population
4. The promotion of international trade and investment.
b) What is the primary objective of "sustainable development"?
(1)
1. Maximizing short-term economic growth.
2. Exploiting natural resources to their fullest extent.
3. Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future
generations to meet their own needs.
4. Achieving self-sufficiency in all economic sectors.
c) What is the primary focus of Regional Economic Development?
(1)
1. Maximising corporate profits within a specific industry
2. Promoting economic growth and stability within a particular geographical areai/
3. Encouraging international trade agreements
4. Reducing government intervention in the economy
d) What is the main goal of RegionalEconomicDevelopmentpolicies?
(1)
1. To prioritize urban development over rural areas
2. To redistribute wealth equally across all regions
3. To promote balanced growth and development across different regionsi/
4. To concentrate economic activities in one central region
e) Which of the following bestdescribesthe contribution of Smalland Medium Enterprises{SMEs)
to regional development?
(1)
1. They primarily focus on serving local markets and have little impact on regional
economies.
2. They are often the backbone of regional economies, contributing significantly to
employment and economic growth.
3. They tend to hinder regional development by competing with larger corporations.
4. They rely heavily on government subsidies and support, making them
unsustainable in the long term.
f) Which of the following is a potential challenge that SMEs may face in contributing to
regional development?
(1)
1. Limited accessto skilled labour and human capital
2. Excessivegovernment intervention and regulation
3. Lack of competition from larger corporations
4. Easyaccess to financing and capital resources
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Applied Regional and Rural Economic Development
ARR720S
g) Which of the following is NOT typically considered a factor influencing Rural Economic
Development?
(1)
1. Accessto healthcare and education
2. Availability of natural resources
3. Density of urban population
4. Infrastructure development
h) Which of the following best defines Rural Economic Development?
(1)
1. The process of promoting economic growth and improving living standards in rural
communities
2. The pursuit of economic policies aimed at maximizing profits for urban industries.
3. The concentration of economic activities in urban centres to the detriment of rural
areas
4. The expansion of international trade agreements to benefit rural regions.
i) Which of the following best defines globalization?
(1)
1. The process of eliminating all trade barriers between nations
2. The spread of Western culture to non-Western societies
3. The increasing interconnectedness and interdependence of countries around the
world
4. The dominance of multinational corporations over national governments
j) Which of the following statements best describes the impact of globalization on cultural
diversity?
(1)
1. Globalization promotes homogenization, leading to the loss of cultural diversity.
2. Globalization has no impact on cultural diversity.
3. Globalization enhances cultural exchange and diversity.
4. Globalization encourages the preservation of traditional cultures.
k) Which of the following is an example of regionalization?
(1)
1. A multinational corporation expanding its operations globally.
2. The formation of the European Union to promote economic and political
integration among European countries
3. A country implementing protectionist trade policies to shield its domestic
industries.
4. The adoption of a national currency by a single country
I) How does regionalization impact economic development?
(1)
1. It hinders economic growth by promoting trade barriers between neighbouring
countries
2. It promotes economic development by pooling resources and sharing expertise
among member states.
3. It has no impact on economic development.
4. It reduces economic development by limiting accessto global markets.
m) How do government agencies contribute to job creation in rural areas?
1. By outsourcing employment opportunities to urban centres
First Opportunity Question Paper
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Applied Regional and Rural Economic Development
ARR720S
2. By investing in local businesses and industries
3. By prioritizing automation over human labour
4. By imposing restrictions on small-scale entrepreneurship
n) How do government agencies collaborate with other stakeholders to promote rural
economic development?
{1)
1. By monopolizing decision-making processes
2. By excluding local communities from development initiatives
3. By fostering partnerships with NGOs, businesses, and communities
4. By prioritizing urban interests over rural needs
o) Why is it important for regional and rural development strategies to be tailored to specific
local contexts?
{1)
1. To impose uniform policies across diverse regions.
2. To encourage competition among regions.
3. To address unique challenges and capitalize on local resources.
4. To prioritize the interests of urban areas over rural communities.
p) Which of the following best describes the formal sector in regional development?
{1)
1. It includes businesses and enterprises that operate outside of government
regulation and oversight.
2. It comprises established businesses that are registered with the government and
comply with legal requirements.
3. It primarily consists of traditional and subsistence activities that are not integrated
into the formal economy.
4. It is characterized by informal employment arrangements and unregulated
working conditions.
q) What role can formalization play in enhancing the contribution of the informal sector to
regional development?
{1)
1. It can stifle entrepreneurship and innovation in the informal economy.
2. It can provide informal businesses with accessto formal markets, credit, and legal
protections.
3. It can increase government control over informal activities, leading to higher
compliance costs.
4. It can perpetuate inequalities and exploitation of informal workers.
r) How does the Namibian government's Harambee Prosperity Plan (HPP)contribute to local
economic development?
{1)
1. By promoting sustainable tourism and conservation initiatives in rural areas
2. By streamlining bureaucratic processes and improving the ease of doing business
3. By privatizing state-owned enterprises and reducing government intervention in
the economy
4. By implementing austerity measures and cutting social welfare programs
s) How does the Namibian Government's Local Economic Development {LED) framework
support economic growth and job creation at the community level?
{1)
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Applied Regional and Rural Economic Development
ARR720S
1. By centralizing decision-making and resource allocation at the national level
2. By promoting public-private partnerships and community participation in
development planning
3. By imposing strict regulations and restrictions on local businesses and
entrepreneurs
4. By prioritizing investment in urban areas at the expense of rural development
t) Which of the following is a key objective of Local Economic Development (LED)
planning?
(1)
1. Maximizing profits for multinational corporations
2. Attracting foreign direct investment at any cost
3. Enhancing the economic well-being of a specific geographic area
4. Expanding government control over local businesses and industries
u) Which of the following is a direct role of local government in promoting small business
development?
(1)
1. Providing venture capital to start-ups
2. Enforcing zoning and land use regulations
3. Issuing business licenses and permits
4. Investing in multinational corporations
v) What is a key consideration for successful implementation of Public-Private Partnerships
(PPPs)?
(1)
1. Maximizing private sector profits at the expense of public interests
2. Excluding local communities and stakeholders from project planning
3. Ensuring transparency, accountability, and risk-sharing arrangements
4. Limiting private sector involvement to avoid conflicts of interest
w) Which of the following functions is typically undertaken by the Local Economic
Development Agency (LEDA)of Namibia?
(1)
1. Enforcing national tax policies and regulations
2. Conducting research on global market trends
3. Facilitating business support services for local entrepreneurs
4. Administering social welfare programs for disadvantaged populations
x) Which section of the business plan typically outlines the company's mission, vision, and
values?
(1)
1. Marketing plan
2. Operations plan
3. Executive summary
4. Company profile
y) How does Swakopmund benefit from its coastal location in terms of economic
development?
(1)
1. It experiences extreme weather conditions.
2. It attracts tourists interested in marine activities
3. It has limited accessto transportation networks.
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Applied Regional and Rural Economic Development
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4. It lacks accessto fresh water sources.
[25]
QUESTION 2
a) Define the concept Local Economic Development
(2)
b) Distinguish and provide an example of each, between comparative and competitive
advantages
(4)
c) List five (5) objectives of the White Paper on Local Economic Development Policy in
Namibia
(5)
d) Namibia is one of the signatories to the Sustainable Development Goals. Briefly, describe
how Namibia is working towards achieving the following goals:
(10)
e) Explain five key roles of Public Private Partnership in regional and rural economic
development
(10)
f) List five categories of globalization and provide an illustration for each.
(10)
[41]
QUESTION 3
a) Regional Economic Development (RED) is guided by several principles that shape
strategies and initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable economic growth and prosperity
in specific geographic areas. Explain five (5) principles of Regional Economic
Development
(10)
b) Discuss in detail the financial instruments that can be utilized to promote regional and
economic development
(10)
c) As a regional and rural development officer, you have been requested by local businesses
and communities to create a business plan. Describe the components you will include in
the plan.
(14)
[34]
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