| e-Newsletter |
| Last update 2012-01-10 |
 Upgrading the quality of economic policy-making process in Azerbaijan"Azerbaijan’s current fiscal stance is quite strong; however, this stability is completely based on oil-related revenues. In the meantime, the situation with alternative sources of fiscal revenues is uncertain. A large part of fiscal management is built on opacity and an assessment of budget spending efficiency has never been done. It is likely that Azerbaijan will only be able to maintain its fiscal stability through the next ten years or so, i.e. until the end of the active oil-extraction period. In the more distant future, a substantial fiscal correction will be necessary.” Read CASE E-brief 02/2012: Azerbaijan's Fiscal Policy after the Oil Boom by Dmytro Boyarchuk. | ||||
 How can we manage the debt problem? And what should be the fiscal adjustments pace?Fiscal problems and fiscal balance were the topic of discussion at the 118th BRE-CASE seminar, presented by Carlo Cottarelli, director of the Fiscal Affairs Department in the IMF. | ||||
 CASE remains amongst the top 30 think tanks world wideAccording to the new ranking The Global “Go-To Think Tanks” CASE is ranked 25th among top 30 Think Tanks – Worldwide (US and Non-US) and 3rd among the top think tanks in Central and Eastern Europe. For the full report download the 2011 Global Go To Think Tank Index Rankings. | ||||
 EUROFRAME releases economic forecast for 2012Euroframe has published its Winter 2011/2012 Report "Economic Assessment of the Euro Area" today. The approach behind the outlook presented in this report, was to use NIESR’s NiGEM model to develop a central forecast, characterised as “muddling through” the crisis and two other scenarios which represent more optimistic and more pessimistic outcomes. | ||||
| 118 BRE-CASE seminar: Fiscal Challenges in an Era of Declining Demand and Sustainability Concerns January 26th: Carlo Cottarelli will base his presentation on the forthcoming update of the IMF Fiscal Monitor. The update will provide revised fiscal projections for fiscal indicators in advanced and emerging economies. One key focus of the update will be the challenges of managing fiscal policy at a time when aggregate demand is decelerating and markets are becoming increasingly concerned about the growth-fiscal sustainability nexus. These challenges have become particularly acute in Europe, where fiscal policies are being tightened in response to market pressures, thus contributing to the deceleration of aggregate demand. Among other things, the presentation will also provide an update of the fiscal outlook in the United States and Japan where important fiscal policy decisions are expected to be taken over the next couple of months. For further information, please see seminar invitation. | ||||
| Trade Sustainability Impact Assessment in support of negotiations of deep comprehensive free trade areas The project, funded by the European Commission, focuses on trade and trade-related provisions under negotiation of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA). The project examines economic, social and environmental issues that could be affected by DCFTA in the EU and respectively, in Georgia and Moldova (as well as in other neighbouring countries). With this study, the EU shall be made aware of both positive and negative effects of a possible DCFTA; and can therefore adapt its approach towards the negotiations. The project is led by ECORYS (the Netherlands) in cooperation with CASE, CASE Moldova and CASE Georgia. For detailed information please see the project description on CASE website. | ||||
| Poland - Meeting 2020 Social Inclusion Targets CASE expert Irena Topińska is conducting a study contracted by the World Bank. The project is a study of the costs and benefits of meeting 2020 objectives for social inclusion for Poland. It is conducted within a framework of a larger EU initiative 'Europe 2020 Strategy for Smart, Sustainable, and Inclusive Growth' that aims at meeting five ambitious objectives - on employment, innovation, education, social inclusion and climate/energy - by 2020. In the framework of the study CASE experts run a series of simulations related to labour market, vulnerability of polish families and minimum wages. For further information please see the project description on CASE website. | ||||
 Russia’s Accession to the WTO: Impacts and ChallengesOn December 16th, 2011, an 18 year long negotiation process regarding Russia’s WTO membership was finally brought to an end. Undoubtedly, Russia’s WTO accession is an important event both for the global trade system and for the country. With Russia now in the club, the WTO will control over 97 per cent of global trade. Read CASE E-brief 01/2012: Russia’s Accession to the WTO: Impacts and Challenges by Irina Tochitskaya. | ||||
| Financial Participation of Employees in Companies’ Proceeds CASE is providing the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs of the European Parliament (EP) with a research study on the financial participation of employees in companies’ proceeds. The aim is to provide the EP with an up-to-date, comprehensive picture of the latest development in this area. The study is based on interviews, existing available data, relevant documents of national and international institutions as well as our own expertise. The final aim is to provide the EP with policy recommendations. For a further details, please see the project description. | ||||
 First NEUJOBS conference on "European Labour Market Perspectives Between Gloomy Economic Outlook and Major Transitions in Society"On December 15th the first conference within FP7 NEUJOBS project took place in Brussels. The conference was titled "European Labour Market Perspectives Between Gloomy Economic Outlook and Major Transitions in Society" and was attended by several stakeholders. You may follow the webcast recording by accessing: http://conferenceboard.adobeconnect.com/p7s2ghjw704/ For further information on the project please visit NEUJOBS website. | ||||
 CASE International Conference: first presentations now availableIf you missed CASE International Conference in November 2011 you have now the possibility to watch the presentations online. The first sessions are now available on CASE vimeo channel. | ||||
 The Failed Political Economy of the Euro CrisisThe euro crisis has been extensively discussed in terms of economics, finance, political intrigues, and European Institutions, but a key aspect—the political economy of the crisis—has received little attention. Politicians and social scientists from emerging economies, especially Eastern Europe, look with amazement at this oversight. CASE Network E-briefs 10/2011 by Anders Åslund. | ||||
 FEMISE - Euro-Mediterranean Conference 2011 on the 15-16 December, CASE participated in the 2011 FEMISE conference, Arab Awakening and the Role of the EU-Med Partnership, in Marseille France. The two day conference presented the uprising in Southern Mediterranean countries in three preliminary sessions and brought together members of the network, academics, policymakers and representatives of the EU to engage in a constructive dialogue about the future of the region and the role of the EU in supporting the process of transformation. CASE continues to be an active member of the FEMISE network. | ||||
| CASE helps prepare the evaluation of the Small Business Act for Europe implementation For the second year in the row, CASE has been successfully obtaining the request for services within the Framework Contract (FWC) for the procurement of economic studies and economic assistance in the area of structural performance. The Framework Contract intends to provide DG ECFIN with economic studies concerning the determinants of the structural performance of the European economies. | ||||
| Report on Russia's WTO accession and its implications for nanotechnologies CASE concluded the analytical report on Russia's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and its implications for the innovation sectors of economy and nanotechnology industries carried out by its team composed of Irina Tochitskaya, Veronika Movchan, David Dyker and Peter Holmes. | ||||
| CASE successfully closed a project within the Provision of economic analysis in the area of taxation framework contract The final report of the project “The retrospective evaluation of elements of the VAT system” which CASE experts contributed to in a consortium led Institute for Fiscal Studies, carried out economic analysis of taxation for the European Commission. The Final Report is now available on the European Commission, TAXUD website. | ||||
 CASE Welcomes two new FellowsCASE proudly welcomes two new Fellows. Jørgen Mortensen and Marek D±browoski joined the network of CASE Fellows as the year 2011 comes to a close. Jørgen Mortensen (left) is specialized in European economy, Pensions and Ageing, Measurement of productivity and of Intangibles and Health economics. The addition of these experienced international academics brings the CASE Fellow count to 27 members. The network is represented by researchers with backgrounds ranging from university faculty to public policy positions. For more information on our members please visit their profiles on the CASE People page. | ||||
 Exploring the Future of European IntegrationLast weekend for the seventh time CASE International Conference took place. 32 high-level experts from the European Commission, the World Bank, Professors and Consultants from around the world debated over Europe’s possible ways out of the debt trap, new forms of regulations of financial markets and future growth strategies. The one and a half day event included CASE 20th Anniversary reception, heated discussions and a keynote address of Anders Aslund. The panelist’s presentations are available on CASE Conference website and pictures of the Conference in the Conference Gallery. If you missed CASE Conference, the first video's are available on CASE vimeo page. If you missed the event, soon videos of the five sessions will be available on CASE website. | ||||
 CASE successfully closes project on best practices in supporting women entrepreneurshipCASE experts, Anna Kurowska, Inga Dwórznik and Paweł Franczak, presented their recommendations for amending the Polish law in order to minimize the barriers for women entrepreneurship on Monday November 14th 2011 at PARP's conference. Publication in polish is available at PARP website. | ||||
 Igniting Innovation: Rethinking the Role of Government in Emerging Europe and Central AsiaInnovation and technology absorption are now firmly recognized as one of the main sources of economic growth for emerging and advanced economies alike. That is why innovation is seen as a possible catalyst for revitalizing post-transition economies hit hard by the recent financial and economic crisis. Is government intervention needed to foster innovation in post-transition economies? Please find here Dr. Goldberg's presentation. The video of the CASE Policy Research Seminar is available here. | ||||
 CASE Welcomes a New FellowCASE proudly welcomes a new fellow. Dr. Dusan Vujovic who specializes in Macroeconomics, Institutional Reforms and Financial Markets. Dr. Vujovic will also be a speaker at the CASE 2011 International Conference presenting on “Beyond the EU-27: perspectives of EU enlargement and European Neighborhood Policy”. The addition of this experienced international academic brings the CASE fellow count to 25 members. The network is represented by researchers with backgrounds ranging from university faculty to public policy positions. For more information on our members please visit their profiles on the CASE People page. | ||||
| CASE contributed to preparing SBA Fact Sheets published by the European Commission The Directorate General Enterprise and Industry has published the 2010/2011 the Small Business Act (SBA) Fact Sheets. | ||||
 Debating the economic and trade issues of the EU-Ukraine Association AgreementAt the invitation of the European Parliament, CASE senior expert Marek Dabrowski presented at a workshop in Brussels last Thursday, October 20. | ||||
 An Independent Evaluation of Research at the IMFHali J. Edison, Lead Evaluator at the Independent Evaluation Office of the International Monetary Fund held a presentation on "Research at the IMF - Relevance and Utilization". Please find here Hali Edison's presentation | ||||
 CASE welcomes new members in CASE Management BoardCASE would like to welcome the newly appointed President – Luca Barbone and Vice President Maciej Sobolewski. | ||||
 New project on cross-border public procurement Within the 2011-2013 framework contract with European Commission’s DG TRADE “to provide economic analysis in support of trade negotiations and trade policy issues” CASE in cooperation with Ecorys is awarded a seven month project aimed at assessing the economic, social and environmental impact of possible changes in the EU policy on cross border access to its public procurement markets. | ||||
| CASE daughter organisation resumes its activities September 30th, 2011 Center for Social and Economic Research CASE Georgia a non-profit organisation takes over activities from CASE Transcaucasia that was cooperating closely with CASE in 2000-2010. | ||||
| CASE successfully kicks-off the ENPI project CASE has acquired a new project with the aim to advise the European Commission on the costs and benefits of, and the available policy options for, labor mobility between the EU and the Eastern Partnership (EaP) Partner Countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine). CASE-Center for Social and Economic Research leads the highly reputed consortium consisting of the Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA), Central European University and LSE Enterprise. | ||||
 PICK-ME launches project websiteThe PICK-ME project announces the launch of its website http://pick-me.carloalberto.org/index.php The project aims to bring scientific contributions to the formulation of demand-oriented innovation policies and to identify best practices for national and regional innovation systems. | ||||
 Mid-term assessment meeting – MEDPRO, Brussels, 22-23 September 2011MEDPRO researchers met in Brussels during 22 and 23 of September 2011 in order to discuss the progress within the project. During the Scientific Workshop the researchers presented their work progress in particular the reference and alternative scenarios in view of the recent upheavals in the south Mediterranean region. | ||||
Under the research project “EU Eastern Neighborhood: Economic Potential and Future Development (ENEPO)” funded by the EU Sixth Framework Program, Springer published selected papers in “EU Eastern Neighborhood - Economic Potential and Future Development”. The publication closes an important knowledge gap in respect to the economic, social and institutional development of the CIS region and its economic relations with the EU. | ||||
 The International Crisis and Latin America: Growth Effects and Development StrategiesLatin America has been strongly affected by the international crisis and recession since late 2008 and has raised concerns in developing economies about their macroeconomic policy frameworks and their development strategies. | ||||
 CASE Network Reports No. 100: The Impact of the Global Financial Crisis on Public Expenditures on Education and Health in the Economies of the Former Soviet UnionThe financial crisis strongly affected the FSU region in 2008-2009, during which it experienced either a recession or a considerable slowdown in growth. The crisis also adversely affected government budget revenues, so governments had to adjust their expenditures to falling revenues. Under such conditions, public expenditures on education and health could have suffered unavoidable cuts. Whether or not this actually happened is the central question this project aims to answer. | ||||
The Egyptian revolution is a turning point to be celebrated. In the months and years ahead, the country’s future will be decided by Egyptians themselves. But the international community has an interest in a stable, democratic and prosperous Egypt. | ||||
 How can Trade Help to Rebuild and Enhance the Economies of the Southern Mediterranean Countries?Arab countries are experiencing major changes in their governance systems. While the features of the new era are still unclear, what is certain is that a new development paradigm will be adopted and significant efforts will be made to rebuild the economies of these countries, which have been seriously disrupted due to the revolutions and their aftermath. This article seeks to answer the question of how trade can play a significant positive role in rebuilding and enhancing the economies of these Southern Mediterranean Countries. Read more in CASE Network E-brief 08/2011 by Ahmed Farouk Ghoneim. | ||||
| Public Expenditures on Education and Health in Georgia before and during the Global Crisis The third country report in the framework of the 12 month study "The impact of the global financial crisis on public service delivery in former Soviet Union economies" has been published. The main objectives of the paper are to describe to what extent the education and healthcare sectors were affected in Georgia and to investigate how government policies have addressed the problems which arose due to the financial crisis. | ||||
 Changes in CASE Management Board – the letter of the outgoing CASE PresidentDear Colleagues, I would like to inform you about my plan to retire from the position of CASE President at the end of July 2011 to have more time for my own research and policy advising engagement. As one of the CASE founders, the V-Chairman and Chairman of CASE Supervisory Council and, finally, as the President of CASE, I have worked since 1991 on developing this organization as the high-quality, intellectually independent and internationally competitive policy-research and policy-advising institute. This required a lot of effort of many people, including me. It was an exciting experience but I was always aware of its costs in terms of missed research opportunities. Now with the strategic goal of building CASE as the internationally recognized research institution largely accomplished I can pass my responsibilities to the newly appointed CASE President and my friend Luca Barbone (who previously worked in the World Bank for many years) with the strong feeling that CASE future will be left in good hands. In his mission Luca will be supported by the two Vice Presidents: Sebastien Leclef and Maciej Sobolewski. I wish the new Management Board success in fulfilling its agenda. I would like to thank all colleagues who have worked with me closely in developing and managing CASE, especially during the last three years of my term in CASE Management Board. I am looking very much to continue cooperation with all of you, especially in planning and implementing various CASE projects. Best regards, Marek Dabrowski | ||||
| The Impact of the Global Financial Crisis on Education and Healthcare in the Economies of the Former Soviet Union - the Case of Moldova From 2003 to 2008 Moldova experienced a period of considerable growth, which was mostly externally driven. The global financial crisis, however, hit the Moldovan economy hard in late 2008. The second country study in the framework of the 12 month study “The impact of the global financial crisis on public service delivery in former Soviet Union economies” has been published. This study reviews the impact of the global financial crisis on public service delivery in the Republic of Moldova. | ||||
| Balance of Payments Crisis in Belarus In his article “Balance of Payments Crisis in Belarus” CASE Fellow Alexander Chubrik argues that despite rapid economic growth, Belarus needs IMF assistance. The recent balance of payment crisis depreciated the local currency by 50 rercent; therefore, Belarus has to find money to reach stabilisation. Read the full article published July 18, 2011 on Public Service Europe. | ||||
| Knowledge based firms from Central and East European countries: A comparative overview of case studies In the framework of the 6th EU Research Framework Programme project “Knowledge-Based Entrepreneurship: Innovation, Networks and Systems (KEINS)” the last publication has been released on knowledge based firms from Central and East European countries. The paper provides a comparative analysis of case studies of knowledge-based firms in six Eastern and Central European countries. | ||||
 Tourism in the MED11 CountriesOver the last 20 years, MED11 counties have recorded the highest growth rate in inbound world tourism. In the same time, domestic tourism in these countries was growing very fast. This paper questions whether this trend will continue in the period up to 2030 and, for that, provides four different possible scenarios for the development of the tourism sector in MED11 for 2030. CASE Network Report No. 98 by Robert Lanquar. | ||||
| Assessing the impact of the global financial crisis on public service delivery in former Soviet Union economies In the framework of the 12 month study "The impact of the global financial crisis on public service delivery in former Soviet Union economies" the first country report has been published in CASE Network Report series: „Public Expenditures on Education and Health in the Kyrgyz Republic before and during the Global Crisis” by Roman Mogilevsky. | ||||
 Investment Climate in Africa Program Four-Country Impact Assessments publishedThe four country reports on Burkina Faso, Liberia, Rwanda and Sierra Leone have been published and are now available at the website of International Finance Corporation (IFC). CASE, in consortium with Economisti Associati (Italy) and The Africa Group LLC (USA), has performed an impact assessment study program aimed at improving the investment climate (IC) in Africa. | ||||
 On the European Union - Turkey Customs UnionIn the framework of CASE three year project "MEDPRO - Prospective Analysis for the Mediterranean Region" CASE Network Studies and Analyses No. 426 On the European Union - Turkey Customs Union by Sübidey Togan has been published. | ||||
 Project Workshop: Assessing Needs of Care in European Nations (ANCIEN)CASE hosted the 4th ANCIEN Workshop taking place on June 30th and July 1st in Warsaw. | ||||
 CASE 2010 Annual ReportThe 2010 Annual Report highlights CASE’s key achievements in 2010, including: initiating new projects in the thematic areas of European Union external trade relations, European Integration and European Neighbourhood Policy; expanding CASE geographic scope on the Southern Mediterranean region, and increasing the focus on other emerging markets and developing economies; and expanding and diversifying the CASE research team up to 27 and strengthening network activities. The report also describes the 2010 research program, provides a summary of financial data, and gives information on the numerous events held and publications produced throughout the year. For the full report, please click: 2010 Annual Report. | ||||
 Egypt: Political Transition vs. Economic Challenges?The revolutionary events of January and February 2011 opened the door for democratic transition in Egypt, but the road to a stable and sustainable democracy will be long and full of challenges. However, the macroeconomic environment post-revolution has become increasingly worrying as a result of past fiscal and monetary imbalances, revolution-induced shocks and unstable politics. This inability to address pressing economic challenges may hurt the nascent and fragile Egyptian democracy. Read more in CASE Network E-brief 07/2011 "Egypt: Political Transition vs. Economic Challenge?" by Marek Dabrowski. | ||||
Starting in 2010 debate began in Poland about whether the existing retirement income system was functioning as well as its original designers had hoped when they overhauled it in the late 1990s. Recently in Poland contributions were reduced going to the mandatory second pillar from 7.3 to 2.3% of earnings with that amount diverted to the public pension regime (ZUS). | ||||
 Will IMF Intervention Help Belarus Solve Its Old Problems?"Last month the Government and National Bank of Belarus (NBB) announced that they would ask for a new stand-by loan from the IMF. The requests for external assistance followed several unsuccessful government attempts to overcome the serious macroeconomic crisis that has been developing in the country since the beginning of 2010. A key question arises, can external loans help Belarus to overcome its current crisis?" Read more in CASE Network E-brief 06/2011 "Will IMF Intervention Help Belarus Solve Its Old Problems?" by Alexander Chubrik. | ||||
 Why is the debt crisis spreading throughout the euro area? (115th BRE Bank-CASE seminar) After the financial and economic crisis of 2009, Europe is now facing unprecedented and escalating fiscal crisis. Until now, the latest crisis has reached only developed countries, including the Eurozone. | ||||
 Assessing Development Strategies to Achieve the MDGs in AsiaThe CASE Network Report No. 95 aims at analyzing macroeconomic and financial strategies, which are to ensure achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in the Kyrgyz Republic. The analysis indicates that responsible macroeconomic policies in 2000-2008, the adaptation of population to new realities and new opportunities and positive developments in the economies of neighboring countries allowed for several years of good economic growth and significant poverty reduction. | ||||
 Advancing Knowledge-Intensive Entrepreneurship and Innovation for Economic Growth and Social Well-being in EuropeA 5th project meeting in London on 6-7 June 2011 was organized in the framework of the AEGIS (AEGIS - Advancing Knowledge-Intensive Entrepreneurship and Innovation for Economic Growth and Social Well-being in Europe ) project. CASE made a presentation on “Innovation systems and knowledge-intensive entrepreneurship: Poland”. | ||||
 Shallow versus Deep Integration between Mediterranean Countries and the EU and within the Mediterranean RegionIn the framework of CASE three year project "MEDPRO - Prospective Analysis for the Mediterranean Region" CASE Network Report No.96 aims at paving the way for assessing the specific impact of shallow versus deep integration between Mediterranean (MED) countries and their partners in the European Union as well as between the MED countries themselves. | ||||
| Archive of news... | ||||
 |
| |||
| | ||||||
|
 | ||||||
| | ||||||
| |||||||
