IOSR-JEF   Volume-4 ~ Issue-5

Abstract: There are different factors that impact exchange rates. Exchange rates are highly unpredictable and they need to be monitored very closely to understand the change. Exchange rates are often used as indicator to determine nation's health. There are various market forces that effects exchange rates which is often determined by its level of demand and supply. Foreign Exchange policy is influenced by reversal of capital flows which causes balance of payments issues and makes currency volatile. Traders usually rely on two fundamental form of analysis in stock market viz fundamental analysis and technical analysis. However unlike companies countries donot have balance sheets and hence other parameters are used to determine countries health.

Abstract: This paper evaluates the sovereign wealth fund of Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria administration with a view to empirically examine the factors that affect its creation and operations vis-à-vis its impacts on the growth of the economy. Both primary and secondary data were used in this study. The study was guided by five research objectives. All the 40 staff of Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) in the state constituted the target population. A purposive sampling technique was used to select 30 staff of the establishment for the study. Mean scores and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions. Parametric statistics in forms of analysis of variance-ANOVA, co-efficient of correlation and simple linear regression were used to analyze the hypothesis. We determined the effect of SWF on the economic growth using gross domestic product as a major economic performance indicator. The study found that the link between SWF and economic growth in Nigeria is statistically significant but not positive. The reason is because the sovereign wealth fund is new in Nigeria, coupled with several challenges facing its operations hence has not contributed much to the GDP growth rate of the economy. Some remedial measures were suggested which include the need to ensure that the financial and operational independence of the organs of the NSIA be guaranteed by statute; the NSIA and its organs must be shielded from undue political influence through well defined administrative and operating procedures and that transparency and accountability in reporting must be seen as major watch words of the Fund.

Keywords: Nigeria, Sovereign wealth fund, Investment, NSIA, GDP, Economic growth.

Abstract: The paper highlights the strawberry cultivation in Meghalaya a product of Horticultural Revolution in the state which was initiated by the technology Mission for the Integrated Development of Horticultural in the North eastern region and Government of Meghalaya where a Project of Centre of Excellence under Horticulture Departmental farm at Dewlieh was implemented. The pilot project had selected Sohliya village as a vibrant model for the cultivation of the crop. The success of the project had attracted other districts to cultivate the crop, where Mawpran village, in East Khasi Hills District is the next strawberry hub with all potentialities. The Revolution in strawberry cultivation has bring a major transformation in the socio-economic aspects of the people engaged in the cultivation of the crop and making Meghalaya the third largest producer of strawberry in the country,thus, provides an incentive for the development of other organic and traditional horticultural crops in the state.

Keywords: Development, Horticulture, Meghalaya, Mawpran, Revolution, Sohliya, Socio-economic, Strawberry.