Economics and Research Department

Knowledge for Development Priorities for 2006–2008  [PDF: 1.20 mb | 16 pages]

Economics and Research Department - ERD

ERD activities are rooted on rigorous data analysis and strong database development and management. By uncovering initial country conditions, explaining the recent past, and identifying various causal channels relating to economic variables, the direction where developing Asia will be moving into the future may be gleaned. Thus the effectiveness of ADB's aid, and ADB's contribution to a country's development strategy, will be enhanced.

ERD delivers four basic products: ideas, instruments, instructions, and informal connections. The research agenda for 2005-2008 covers:

• Applied Microeconomic Studies
• Applied Macroeconomic Studies
• Modeling for Forecasting and Policy Analyses
• Database and Development Indicators
• Knowledge Dissemination

Ideas: Knowledge Generation and Dissemination

Its immersion in countries in the Asian and Pacific region makes ADB a key knowledge bank for the developing countries in the region. ERD publishes the results of empirical research carried out within the Department and other departments in ADB. ERD research:

• contributes to the economic literature through in-house research
• enhances the practical stock of knowledge on development issues of interest to the DMC development community and policymakers through applied economic analysis and distillation of good practices
• identifies the development and policy imperatives for developing Asia using results of macroeconomic forecasting

In addition, ERD distributes its publications to over 1,000 libraries and institutions worldwide. ERD also conducts seminars, workshops, and conferences meant to share country experiences, state-of-the-art knowledge, and progress on ongoing projects.

Instruments: Knowledge Center Activities

Rigorous empirical research rests on timely availability of relevant data. ERD's vision of being a leading research group on key development issues in the region can only be accomplished by a strong core competency to compile, analyze, and share data. Hence, ERD:

• generates a statistical database and annual statistical publication that provides economic, financial, and social indicators at the micro and macro level
• builds quantitative economic and statistical models to support ADB's economic forecasting and policy analysis
• develops tools to analyze key Millennium Development Goals indicators

Instructions: Operations Support

ERD's research products help strengthen ADB’s institutional priorities and country operations, particularly ADB's aid effectiveness, even as ADB operations inform ERD's research agenda. ERD translates its research products into operational outcomes through interdepartmental collaboration. In particular, the department:

• pursues ADB's overarching role of poverty reduction through its poverty research and poverty database
• undertakes retrospective reviews of operations in collaboration with other departments and Resident Missions to enhance ADB's sector work
• drafts policy briefing papers for management and board on current, topical issues
• prepares handbooks for use by staff and consultants during project inception, implementation, and review, such as on environment statistics and policy-based lending

Informal Connections: DMC Assistance

ERD’s applied economic research contributes to augmenting the stock of knowledge on development issues of interest to the DMC development community and policymakers. The department:

• provides policy advice on various development issues
• conducts learning modules on economic issues relevant to country strategy programs and DMC officials
• strengthens its stature and partnerships in the international development community through institutional linkages and collaboration

Organization Structure of Economics and Research Department

The Office of the Chief Economist plans and coordinates the department's work program, and undertakes research. It also interfaces with the other departments in ADB's knowledge management. The Knowledge Dissemination Unit publishes the policy journal Asian Development Review and regular publication series containing results of research and other analytical work contributed by ADB staff, resource persons, and external authors.

The Macroeconomics and Finance Research Division engages in short- and medium-term economic monitoring and forecasting. It conducts research on issues of macroeconomics, financial sector, and international finance. It also produces the Asian Development Outlook and its Updates.

The Development Indicators and Policy Research Division undertakes policy research on critical development issues and public policies to improve economic efficiency and poverty reduction; formulates and implements statistical capacity building programs for DMCs with weak statistical systems; improves and assists DMCs in implementing data systems of international standards and participates in international initiatives related to statistical work such as the International Comparison Program. It also generates a statistical database and annual statistical publication that provides economic, financial, and social indicators at the macro level.

The Economic Analysis and Operations Support Division advises on the sound application of appraisal methods for the lending and nonlending services that ADB provides to its developing member countries. It undertakes methodology research, distills good practices of economic analysis of projects and programs, and conducts training programs for ADB staff and developing member countries. It also generates Guidelines and Handbooks on economic and risk analysis.

SEE ALSO

• Senior Staff in the Economics and Research Department