Editorial Note

Abstract

As we present Volume 31, Issue 2 (July-December 2024) of the Asian Journal of Applied Economics (AJAE), we are pleased to announce that we are enhancing our website to be more appealing and up-to-date. Our website's new look is expected to be ready by the end of this year. As always, we continue our tradition of delivering high-quality research in applied economics. This issue marks another milestone in our journal's 31-year journey, featuring diverse articles that offer valuable insights into a range of economic challenges and opportunities across Asia. The first article employs machine learning techniques to analyze the insolvency risk of Thai SMEs, providing crucial insights for financial strategy and risk management. Focusing on agriculture, the second study explores how land rental markets can reduce farmland fragmentation in rural Thailand, promoting cohesive farming plots while balancing land consolidation with farm diversity. The third paper estimates the economic costs of traffic congestion in Bangkok, laying the groundwork for future research on optimal congestion pricing strategies. Shifting to the international arena, the fourth article applies game theory from an international political economy perspective to examine the potential for US-China cooperation within APEC, emphasizing the long-term benefits of strategic collaboration. The fifth paper analyzes how tertiary education and government spending affect high-technology exports in Asia-Pacific and European countries, offering policy recommendations to enhance high-tech exports through strategic education investment. The sixth article focuses on Azerbaijan, using an ARDL approach to investigate the long-term impact of foreign direct investment on unemployment, providing insights for policymakers on how FDI can reduce unemployment. We are excited to announce that more articles are forthcoming and will be published shortly after this early publication. Please stay tuned for this important contribution to our journal.