CAIE IGCSE Economics 6.2 Globalisation and Trade Restrictions Topic Practice

Read the source material carefully before answering Question 1.

The number of foreign nationals living in the UAE is higher than the number of citizens of the UAE. Labour mobility between the UAE and other countries is high with, for example, many daily flights landing in the UAE from India and Pakistan.

The UAE was the host of the World Expo in 2021-2022 where countries from all over the world demonstrated their economic achievements. The increased connection of people through migration, the trade of goods and services and the sharing of ideas were major features of the World Expo. Another common theme that was presented in the World Expo was the technological progress which has improved global living standards. Technological development has increased both the quality and quantity of the factors of production in the UAE.

This technological progress was supported by a huge amount of finance gained from their oil production and exports of oil. Oil is a necessity and its price inelasticity of demand has brought both advantages and disadvantages to the economy. Figure 1.1 shows the annual percentage change in the oil price and the annual percentage change in the UAE's balance on the current account of the balance of payments.

Dubai, one of the cities in the UAE, is not dependent on oil as $95 \%$ of its economy is non-oil based. Dubai is known internationally for its luxury tourism and financial services, which affect employment, tax revenues and export revenues. However, there are concerns over sustainable water use in a desert area and the level of inequality in the distribution of income.

Despite rapid changes in the economy, the value of the domestic currency, the dirham, has always been very stable as the government has maintained a fixed exchange rate system since 1980. This has helped maintain investor confidence in the economy. However, a fixed rate exchange rate affects the government's ability to deliver other macroeconomic objectives.

Identify two features of globalisation.

Indonesia operates a mixed economic system. Indonesia's central bank, Bank Indonesia, aims for stable prices. The country's price level can be influenced by changes in population size. Indonesia's population continues to grow but at a slower rate. Many of the country's industries are growing with particularly fast growth in Indonesian domestic and international air travel.

Discuss whether or not the global economy would benefit from an increase in air travel.

A Swiss multinational food manufacturer increased prices for its products by an average of 8% in 2022. It increased its prices in the USA by 11.6%. This multinational company (MNC) is one of the world's oldest MNCs. It started as a small firm but has grown over the last 160 years. Over this period, its decisions have always been influenced by opportunity cost.

Define multinational company.