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economic problems (iv) and assisting sustainable development, gender development,
reducing poverty, achieving Millennium Development Goals and economic and
social reforms (v). The Center was established with initiatives of some distinguished
economists, mostly who have received degrees from Western Universities. As one
of the leading Azerbaijani NGO CESD holds regular seminars, conferences and
workshops on social and economic topics. The Center exchanges research papers
with several research institutions abroad. CESD has achieved success by establishing
an international network of academic contacts and promoting coordinated research
programs. The centre's work has involved its researchers in studies of social sphere
reforms, WTO accession; poverty reduction; MDGs and many other topics in
Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) as well as in other transition countries
Areas of Concentration; « Macroeconomic Policy» Gender Development
« Competitiveness of the Azerbaijan Economy and Economic Growth. «Social
Sphere» Public Sector Reform « Financial System, Taxation and Fiscal Policy «
Energy, Telecommunications, Transport « EU Accession. Regional Cooperation.
Foreign Economic Relations.)
Below are some of specific activities of the CESD:
• CESD produces policy papers for the purpose of influencing the government’s
policy. These papers enabled CESD, as the only Azeri think tank, to be included
in the Global Development Network’s profile (http://www.gdnet.org/middle.
php?oid=211&zone=org&action=org&org=3845) . These products by CESD
are also used by Centre for Policy Studies at Central European University.
• While supporting and promoting the changes, such as the establishment of
market economy, as one of the leading Azerbaijani think tank CESD is also
concerned with and produces relevant papers on inequality and poverty issues.
CESD tries to address these issues mainly through the effective government
policies. The Center has a close cooperation with International Development
Economics Associations (http://www.networkideas.org) in this area.
• CESD has the largest and the most diverse network at both domestic and
international levels. At the national level, this diversity includes partners
in 24 regions, virtually all think tanks, universities and mass-media. At the
international level, CESD has been included in all well-known think tanks
directories. CESD is the first Azerbaijani think tank included in NIRA's World
Directory of Think Tanks (the world’s most popular think tanks directory).
CESD is the first Azerbaijani Think Tank in Economics Departments, Institutes
and Research Centers in the World: http://edirc.repec.org/data/cesd.az.html.
• CESD was able to involve more recent graduates from Western universities to
its research and activities. The Center is building tradition to become a school
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for young specialists who potentially can play significant role in the policy
development.
• CESD is closely working with volunteers. 8 volunteers are now involved
in current activities of the Center, and we expect the figure to get larger
by several times in the summer session. The Center also attracts interns to
research and other activities during the academic breaks, and is planning
to further develop this practice. Besides, CESD, as one of the leading think
tanks in Azerbaijan, is cooperating with Peace Corps (USA) volunteers and the
center will host Fulbright Scholar from the US in the fall for one year period.
• CESD has a leading role in analyzing allocative efficiency and analyses
between sectors/regions/projects. In spite of the fact that the center’s
expert bank is not large enough yet, some experts have already been invited
to analyze public expenditure monitoring by the government institutes.
• CESD has a leading role in promoting public participation and providing
cost-benefit methodologies and approaches to public programs and projects.
The Center’s experts had a training with government officials and conducted
awareness campaigns among the communities.
The Economic Research Center (ERC) was the 133rd on “Think Tanks” rating
held by the Pennsylvania University of the US, in the nomination “The best think
tanks of the World” for 2012-2013 in which the influential think tanks of the world,
and the US as well, took part. The ERC got high result in another nomination, was
the 9th in the world on the nomination of “the best think tanks in the field of the bar”
Economic Innovation Center
The Center was established in 2002, but was not registered. The founders of
the center are Mahammad Talibli, Ayyub Safaroglu. At present, the director is
Mahammad Talibli. The main activity is of socio-economic profile. Its main aim is
to conduct awareness raising in socio-economic field, to support the dissemination
of innovative ideas and to conduct economic researches.
Economic Research Center
The Center was established on March 12, 1999 and was registered on July 2,
the same year. The founder and current director is Gubad (Ibadoglu) Bayramov.
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The main activity of the center is of socio-economic profile. The main aim and
functions are to popularize economic and business knowledge in the society, to
increase the transparency and reportedness of public funds, to increase the level
of participation in making decisions concerning public funds and to achieve social
dialogue. The Internet site www.erc-az.org
Center for Economic and Social Research
The Center was established in 1994 and was registered the same year. The
founders of the center are Najaf Najafov, Hikmet Hajizade, Mehman Aliyev and
Sabit Bagirov. At present, Hikmet Hajizade is president, Rasim Musabeyov is
vice-president, Sabit Bagirov is director. The main direction of activity of the
Center is economic, social research and education. The main objective is to render
support as public-policy institute in the process of transition to liberal economy
and democratic society. Internet site: http://www.cssn.gov.az
Global Economic Researches Center (GERC)
GERC was established in Septembetr 30, 2003. Organization was registered
by the Ministry of Justice of Azerbaijan Republic in 19 November 2003. Head of
GERC is Novruz Guliyev, executive director is Ruslan Atakishiyev.
Global Economic Researches Center is a non-government organization which
helps Azerbaijan economy to be reconstructed and developed, provides private
sector with necessary information to increase their capacity and competitiveness
and gives its contributions to the government in this regard, builds awareness of
private sector about the reforms in the area of trade and investment.
Mission
To achieve constant development of the private sector through supporting
introduction of the advantages of the world economy into Azerbaijan.
Goals
1. Promotion of business and investment environment.
2. Achieve application of advanced entrepreneurship experience.
3. Provide support to application of international standards in Azerbaijan.
4. Expanding application of innovations in the sphere of regulation of international
trade in Azerbaijan.
Areas
of Activity
1. Development of small and medium entrepreneurship