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HANDOUT 2 - SCENARIO EXERCISE INTRO - MEWONG COUNTRY PROFILE
Background and Geographical Information
The Republic of Mewong is located in Southern Asia, bordering the Main Sea, between
Southland, Northland and Westland. Its geographic coordinates are 30’00”N and 70’00”E. The
country is divided into 5 provinces (South West region, Southern region, North East region,
Northern region and Eastern region). The Mewong Mountain range runs through the southern
part of the country. Given the geography and lack of accessibility, the Western part of the
country remains dependent on the Eastern part where most of the economic activities take place.
The climate is quite cold and wet in winter. The Capital, Meo, is located in the north-west of
Mewong where the main port is located.
Key Country Data
COUNTRY SIZE:
POPULATION:
Mewong covers an area of approximately 202,000 km2.
The estimated population of Mewong is 23.8 million (2007) and the
estimated growth rate is 2.06% (2009 estimate).
ETHNIC GROUPING: The three main ethnic groups are Brinish, Banaiashi and Beni. There
is a good relationship between the three main ethnic groups with no
significant history of rivalry or conflict.
CULTURAL HABITS: Mewong has a very rich cultural heritage with a diverse range of
physical features, customs, traditions and habits of people living in
different provinces.
Economic Profile
Mewong is one of the few countries not to have been too adversely affected by the negative
effects of the economic crisis, however it is still recording low levels of economic growth.
During much of its history, underdevelopment and poverty in parts of Mewong - as well as
fiscal mismanagement – obscured the potential of a country with the resources and
entrepreneurial skill to support rapid economic growth. The economy averaged a relative
growth rate of 1% over the past 20 years.
Throughout the 1980s, Mewong was a large recipient of international developmental aid. In the
twentieth century overall, its economic growth rate was quite constant, but imprudent policies
have led to a slowdown in the past 5 years. Few reforms have taken place, impacting economic
growth more and more. There has been very little improvement in Mewong’s foreign exchange
position and a rapid decline in hard currency reserves has occurred as a result of its current
account deficits.
While Eastern region and Southern region are accessible by sea, Southern region remains the
second poorest after South West region; Northern region, North East region and South West
region suffer the added disadvantages of being remote and difficult to reach.
Recent surveys from international NGOs indicate that a third of the population live with
minimum resources and over 18% of the population is food insecure. Corruption has become a
major concern in the past few years, especially when dealing with essential public services.
The main resources of Mewong are cotton and minerals. Mewong relies almost entirely on
Northland for the provision of fuel (both countries have signed a commercial agreement giving
the exclusivity to Northland for providing oil through subterranean pipe). There is a high level
of protectionist policies towards local production and industry in Mewong; import is strongly
regulated and large list of items are either prohibited or restricted.
Income Distribution
So far there have been no wage or pension arrears in the public sector, though there are surmised
delays in payment of targeted social assistance. Salaries in the public sector, particularly health
and education, remain low. About 10 per cent of the population were unemployed four years
ago with urban unemployment twice as high as rural (14% compared to 7%). The difference
between males and females in this case is about 3 percentage points.
Agriculture is still the dominant economic activity in the country and comprises 40 per cent of
total employment despite contributing to only 10 per cent of GDP.
In the previous year, the Eastern region province was the only province which did not
experience any forms of food insecurity. In the Southern region the rural areas often lie in
mountainous regions which make the cultivation of land a difficult process. Food insecurity
also impacts the national economy: on average households spend 53% of their total cash
expenditure on food thereby slowing the future economic development of the country.
Food insecurity and malnutrition remains a major public health problem, predominantly in the
southern parts of the country. Among children under 5, 25 % are chronically malnourished
(stunted), 15% underweight and 8 % acutely malnourished (wasted).
About 19 children per day were registered as disabled four years ago with the total number of
such children reaching 58,400 three years ago – 12 % of all the officially registered disabled.
Scenario Exercise
Mewong Country Profile