Section Three: Linkages and Economic Development of the Book "Economic Development and Planning: Theory and Practice" explains how linkages, partnerships, and collaborations can aid the achievement of balanced economic development. The significance of synergizing national development with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is also explained. Equally, aligning decision-making with monitoring and reporting makes it easier to analyze progress and make necessary adjustments frequently. Corruption, a weak rule of law, bureaucratic burden, and low institutional capability are among the institutional and governance restrictions that impede economic progress. Improving communication and information sharing, supporting policy consistency, developing capacity and skills, and monitoring and assessing linkages are all critical elements toward long-term and equitable economic development. For inclusive decision-making, collaboration, knowledge exchange, prioritizing long-term outcomes, and multi-stakeholder participation are emphasized. Case studies and examples of successful links in development planning are provided.
Prof. Uwem Essia holds a Ph.D. degree in Economics from the University of Calabar, Nigeria. He taught Development Theory and Planning at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels for more than 2 decades and has written extensively on economic development and planning and other aspects of economics, management, and the social sciences.
