Vol. 1 No. 1 (2025): Vol 1 No 1 June 2025

The International Journal of Economics and Development (IJED) proudly launches its inaugural edition, Volume 1, Number 1, June 2025. This foundational issue marks a significant milestone in the development of an academic platform dedicated to rigorous research and discourse in the fields of economics, public policy, and sustainable development. With a global orientation, IJED seeks to provide a space for diverse voices and critical perspectives on economic challenges and policy innovations in both emerging and developed economies.

This issue features original peer-reviewed contributions from scholars affiliated with eight distinguished universities across three countries: Indonesia, India, and China. These institutions include: Universitas Islam Negeri Sayyid Ali Rahmatullah Tulungagung, STAI Kh Muhammad Ali Shodiq Tulungagung, Universitas Kh. A. Wahab Hasbullah Jombang, Universitas Muhammadiyah Ponorogo, IAIFA Kediri, and UNHASY Tebuireng Jombang from Indonesia; Manipur University from India; and Shaanxi Institute of International Studies from China. The collaborative academic effort reflects IJED’s commitment to fostering transnational research networks and policy-relevant scholarship. The articles presented in this inaugural edition examine some of the most pressing economic concerns of our time, particularly in the context of low- and middle-income countries. This issue includes thought-provoking analyses such as “The Role of Fiscal Policy in Reducing Income Inequality in Emerging Economies,” “Islamic Finance as a Catalyst for National Economic Development in OIC Member States,” and “Evaluating Public Sector Efficiency and Its Influence on Economic Development Across Nations.” Complementing these macroeconomic themes are studies focused on inclusive growth and institutional reform, such as “Strengthening Human Capital Through Vocational Education for Inclusive Rural Economic Growth” and “Public Policy Strategies for Enhancing Innovation and SME Competitiveness in Emerging Economies.”

Each article contributes to a deeper understanding of the multidimensional factors shaping economic development, offering empirical insights, theoretical frameworks, and practical policy recommendations. Together, they highlight the importance of institutional quality, policy coherence, financial innovation, and capacity building in addressing global inequality and promoting sustainable development. IJED warmly invites researchers, policymakers, educators, and practitioners to engage with this first volume. The journal remains committed to advancing critical scholarship that bridges economic theory and practice, and that supports evidence-based decision-making across diverse national and regional contexts. We encourage future submissions that reflect interdisciplinary approaches and global perspectives on economic and development issues.