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This study uses a comprehensive dataset of 5938 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in seven ASEAN economies to scrutinize the credit constraints currently deteriorating the firms’ growth incentives and development paths. By employing the ordered logit model to the research sample, we extracted novel and valuable findings that highly enriched the research field and provided a firm foundation for our recommendations to loosen credit obstacles to supporting ASEAN SMEs’ development in the future. Specifically, we found strong and positive linkages between SMEs’ easier access to credit and a group of factors including firm’s age, industry, export activities, audited financial statements, and female managers. Meanwhile, rising business competition and unfavorable legal frameworks block SMEs from obtaining credit finance.

This paper investigates the development of retirement pension assessing its structure, current state, introducing and explore the model of the superannuation fund model in Vietnam as a supplemental pension channel for employees, besides other state retirement savings and voluntary supplemental retirement schemes. The paper contains some recommendations to policy makers and regulators aiming to drive the development of retirement pension system in Vietnam, especially the superannuation fund model., В статье исследуется развитие пенсионной системы во Вьетнаме, оценивается ее структура, текущее состояние, сильные и слабые стороны. Авторы объясняют необходимость введения и изучения модели пенсионного фонда во Вьетнаме в качестве дополнительного источника пенсий для работников, помимо других государственных пенсионных накоплений и добровольных дополнительных пенсионных схем. В документе содержатся некоторые рекомендации для политиков и административных органов, нацеленные на стимулирование развития системы пенсионного обеспечения во Вьетнаме, особенно модели пенсионного фонда.

Seed storability in rice (Oryza sativa L.) is an important agronomic trait. Two segregating populations with N22 (indica) as a common parent, viz. a set of 122 backcross-inbred lines (BILs) derived from the backcross Nanjing35 (japonica)/N22//Nanjing35 and another population comprising 189 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) from the cross of USSR5 (japonica) and N22, were studied to detect quantitative trait loci (QTL) controlling seed storability. Germination percentage (GP) was used to evaluate seed storability after aging treated under three different conditions, viz. natural, artificial and combined aging treatments. A total of seven QTLs were identified on chromosomes 1, 2, 5, 6 and 9. Among them, a major QTL, qSSn-9, was common in the two populations. In contrast, four QTLs (qSSnj-2-1, qSSn-2-2, qSSn-5 and qSSn-6) were detected in BILs and the QTL qSSn-1 was identified in RILs, which was a new QTL for seed storability. The N22-derived alleles increased the seed storability at all the loci except qSSnj-2-1. We also investigated the effect of QTLs using five selected lines with high storability from BILs and verified qSSn-5 with a near-isogenic line (NIL). These results provide an opportunity for pyramiding or map-based cloning major QTLs for seed storability in rice.

Seed aging or deterioration in rice (Oryza sativa L.) is a major problem for agronomic production and germplasm preservation. Deciphering the genetic mechanism involved in seed aging and improving seed storability is therefore a vital goal for rice breeding. A set of 85 backcross inbred lines derived from the backcross ‘Sasanishiki’ (japonica cv.)/‘Habataki’ (an indica cv. with strong seed storability)//‘Sasanishiki’ was used here to detect quantitative trait locus (QTL) controlling seed storability. Seeds were treated under natural (conventional storage for 48 months) and artificial aging storage conditions (i.e. increased temperature and relative humidity) and germination rate was used to evaluate seed storability. A total of thirteen QTLs for seed storability were identified on chromosomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 11 and 12, respectively. Among them, two QTLs, viz. qSSh-2-1 and qSSh-2-2, were repeatedly detected in both treatment conditions. In contrast, four (qSSh-4, qSSs-5-1, qSSs-5-2 and qSSh-12) and seven QTLs (qSSh-1, qSSh-3-1, qSSh-3-2, qSSh-3-3, qSSh-7-1, qSSh-7-2 and qSSh-11) were detected only once in natural and artificial aging treatments, respectively. The ‘Habataki’-derived alleles were observed to increase seed storability at all the loci except qSSs-5-1 and qSSs-5-2. The existence of QTLs qSSh-1, qSSh-3-1, qSSh-3-2, qSSh-3-3, qSSh-4, qSSh-7-1, qSSh-7-2 and qSSh-11 was confirmed using Habataki chromosome segment substitution lines in a Sasanishiki genetic background. These results provide an opportunity for map-based cloning of major QTLs for seed storability, thereby gaining an understanding of seed storability in rice and possibilities for its improvement.