South Asia Network of Economic Research Institutes (SANEI)
http://www.saneinetwork.net
SANEI is a regional initiative to foster networking among economic research institutes in South Asia. Initiated in June 1998, the network seeks to establish strong research inter-linkages among diverse economic research institutes in the region.
From the inception, IPS has worked closely with SANEI. A research study on “Foreign Direct Investment and Economic Integration in the SAARC Region” was undertaken by IPS in the first year of SANEI's Phase I operations. A joint study with Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), India was undertaken during Phase III on “The Indo-Lanka Free Trade Agreement: Assessing the Potential on Bilateral Trade”. During its fourth phase, IPS and the Institute for Policy Research and Development (IPRAD), Nepal jointly conducted a study on “Monetary Cooperation in South Asia”. Under Phase IV, the IPS conducted a collaborative project with the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Research (ICRIER), India on “Indo-Sri Lanka Trade in Services: FTA II and Beyond”.
South Asia Centre for Policy Studies (SACEPS)
http://www.cpd-bangladesh.org/saceps/
South Asia Centre for Policy Studies (SACEPS) is a network of research organizations involved in studying regional issues in South Asia . The overall objective of SACEPS is to promote regional cooperation amongst member countries of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) in the field of development research, policy studies and policy advocacy. In order to undertake research on regional issues, six Task Forces have been formed. These Task Forces, composed of eminent researchers from the region have conducted studies on: common investment strategy, energy cooperation, issues related to South Asia 's strategy on WTO negotiations, South Asia Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA), macro-economic policy and a Social Charter for South Asia. These Task Force Reports are expected to activate policy dialogue and interactions in South Asia and thereby provide specific inputs to the policy makers in the region on measures to promote South Asian Cooperation.
IPS was the lead organization to prepare the SAFTA Task Force Report, which explores issues that SAARC countries have to consider in implementing moves towards a free trade area, taking into account relevant lessons from other regional arrangements such as the ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (AFTA) and the Indo-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (ISLFTA).
In the second phase of operations of SACEPS, the IPS has taken the lead in the preparation of 3 research projects on “Education and the Empowerment of the Poor”, “Microfinance and Empowerment of the Poor” and “Empowerment of the Agrarian Poor”.
The IPS is represented in the Governing and Executive Board SACEPS, Bangladesh.
SAARC Network on Global Financial and Economic Issues
The SAARC Network of Researchers on Global, Financial and Economic Issues was convened following a recommendation made by the Heads of State of SAARC countries at the 10th Summit in July 1998. The objective of the network is to coordinate research efforts in analyzing the challenges of global economic developments faced by SAARC member countries, and assist SAARC countries to adopt a common South Asian position where necessary. The Government of Sri Lanka recommended the IPS as the national research coordinator, and the Institute was invited to take the initiative in coordinating the activities of the Network.
As part of the Network's work programme, a journal titled the South Asia Economic Journal (SAEJ) was launched in March 2000. SAEJ seeks to provide a regional forum for scholarly debate on economic analysis and policy options to promote economic development and regional cooperation in South Asia . The journal is edited jointly by Dr. Saman Kelegama (Executive Director, IPS) and Dr. Nagesh Kumar (Research and Information System for the Non-aligned and Other Developing Countries, New Delhi, India ).
The Indian Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC)
The Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC) is one of the latest moves in the establishment of regional arrangements for economic cooperation. IOR-ARC was created as a response to the many new economic groupings that are being convened in the recent past—an indication of the conviction of the political, intellectual, and the business communities that the process of cooperation on a regional or sub-regional basis would be beneficial.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs appointed IPS as the key centre for research for the Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC). Consequently, IPS became the base for research for IOR-ARC's academic group—IORAG. Joint studies were undertaken with the Confederation of Indian Industries and Research and Information Systems (RIS), New Delhi during 1997-1999 period. Two papers on the IOR-ARC prepared by the Executive Director have appeared in the ASEAN Economic Bulletin, Vol.15, No.2 (1998) and Journal of Asia Pacific Economies, Vol. 5, Nov. 3 (2000).
Research and Information Systems for the Non-Aligned and Other Developing Countries (RIS) www.ris.org.in
RIS is a New Delhi based autonomous research institution established with the financial support of the Government of India. It is a forum for pursuing work relating to issues in the field of international economic relations and development cooperation. RIS provides a developing country analytical perspective to the emerging global trends and contributes to building analytical capability in developing countries.
The South Asia Economic Journal (SAEJ) is jointly published by IPS and RIS, and is edited by Dr. Saman Kelegama (Executive Director, IPS) and Dr. Nagesh Kumar (Director-General, RIS). Dr. Saman Kelegama also serves on the Editorial Board of the RIS Digest.
Coalition for Action on South Asia (CASAC)
Coalition for Action on South Asia (CASAC), New Delhi, India is represented by IPS in the Sri Lankan Chapter seminars and Citizens Commission.
Indian Council for South Asian Cooperation (ICCSAC)
Indian Council for South Asian Cooperation (ICCSAC), New Delhi, India has established collaboration with IPS in seminars, workshops and papers in the South Asia Survey.
