Policy analysis and monitoring

The project will first assess the research needs and capabilities of MOP staff and prepare a research agenda. Long-term research and analysis will take place primarily in the second to fourth years of the project. Each research activity will provide an indepth picture of one or more parts of the economy at a given time and will include statistical analyses of dissertation quality. For the purposes of policy impact monitoring, the projects will develop a system of low-cost follow-up surveys whose results will, over time, permit inferences about important economic impacts. The participation of Nigerien economists and Ph.D. students in these research projects will be solicited. By the project"s fourth year, it will have produced a variety of economic data bases and analytic tools, e.g., a model of the livestock export subsector, or a methodology for calculating the recurrent costs of public investments. At this point, a senior resident advisor will be provided to train MOP staff (and possibly other ministries) in the use of these models. Various types of training will be provided, including: (1) M.A. training in economic analysis for seven candidates from the MOP and other agencies; (2) short-term in-country training in computers, sectoral analysis, statistical analysis, and economic analysis; (3) short-term specialized training for up to 10 participants per year at U.S. or third country institutions in economic analysis, research methodology, etc.; and (4) in-country seminars for discussion of research findings and workshops on economic policy analysis.