Economic Research Forum (ERF)

Seda Ekmen Özçelik

Author

Seda Ekmen Özçelik
Associate Professor, Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University

Seda Ekmen Özçelik completed her undergraduate studies in Economics at Hacettepe University. After that, she was admitted as a research assistant by the Department of Economics at the Middle East Technical University. Between 2001 and 2012, she worked as a research assistant there; and at the same time she completed her Master’s and PhD studies as a graduate student. She obtained her PhD degree in Economics in 2012 after successfully defending her PhD thesis. In her thesis, she basically focused on Turkey’s export competitiveness in the European Union market. Seda Ekmen Özçelik is a faculty member at Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University, Department of International Trade and Business since 2013. Seda Ekmen Özçelik has been working at the Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University as an associate professor doctor since 2021. Her research areas are international trade, and economic development.

Content by this Author

The environmental impact of foreign direct investment in MENA

Are countries in the Middle East and North Africa ‘pollution havens’ when it comes to foreign direct investment (FDI) – or do they merit a ‘pollution halo’? This column reports evidence on how the quality of economies’ institutions and human capital influences the environmental impact of FDI.

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Global value chains and sustainable development

What is the role of exchange rate undervaluation in promoting participation in global value chains by firms in developing countries? What is the impact of the stringency of national environmental regulations on firms’ GVC participation? And how do firms’ political connections affect their participation in GVCs? These questions will be explored for the MENA region at a special session of the ERF annual conference, which takes place in Cairo in April 2025.

Adoption of decentralised solar energy: lessons from Palestinian households

The experience of Palestinian households offers a compelling case study of behavioural adaptation to energy poverty via solar water heater adoption. This column highlights the key barriers to solar energy adoption in terms of both the socio-economic status and dwellings of potential users. Policy-makers need to address these barriers to ensure a just and equitable transition, particularly for households in conflict-affected areas across the MENA region.

Migration, human capital and labour markets in MENA

Migration is a longstanding and integral part of the MENA region’s economic and social fabric, with profound implications for labour markets and human capital development. To harness the potential of migration for promoting economic and social development, policy-makers must aim to deliver mutual benefits for origin countries, host countries and migrants. Such a triple-win strategy requires better data, investment in return migration, skill partnerships, reduced remittance costs and sustained support for host countries.

Shifting gears: how the private sector can be an engine of growth in MENA

Businesses are a key source of productivity growth, innovation and jobs. But in the Middle East and North Africa, the private sector is not dynamic and the region has a long history of low growth. This column summarises a new report explaining how a brighter future for MENA’s private sector is within reach if governments rethink their role and firms harness talent effectively.




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