Economic Research
MKE has completed a large number of research assignments that required both original data collection and the use of existing published statistics and literature. Research carried out by MKE takes the form of country briefings, sectoral policy analysis, economic forecasts, research papers for academic institutions and centres, household and enterprise surveys, socio-economic impact studies and participatory analyses. Publications of selected research outputs are downloadable from our Publications page.
Research areas where MKE has particular strengths include Economics, microfinance and banking and Governance
At MKE we strive to provide our clients with economic analysis of the highest quality in a way that reflects our commitment to excellence and our reputation for integrity. MKE offers services in the following areas:
- Macroeconomic briefs
- Microeconomic analysis
- Economic forecasts
- Public enterprise reform analysis
- Financial enterprise reform analysis
- Capacity building, institutional strengthening and leadership development
- Trade and investment analysis
- Agricultural and natural resource economics analysis
Examples of MKE assignments in the area of economic analysis include:
- Wages for Domestic Consultants in Vietnam (Royal Danish Embassy in Hanoi, 2005)
- Quick Scan Compliance Cost for Business: Selected Legal Domains (EU, 2005)
- The Drivers of Inequality in Vietnam (DFID, 2004)
- Research into Gender-Related Issues and Impact of Integration on Women in Vietnam (UNDP, 2004)
- Industrial Clusters in Asia: Analyses of Competition and Cooperation (Japan External Trade Organisation, 2003)
- Study of Trade, Foreign Direct Investment and Labour in Vietnam
- Training Needs Analysis – International Economic and Trade Issues (AusAID, 2001-2002)
- Early Warning Systems for Financial Crises (ADB, 2002-2003)
- Between integration and exclusion - the Impact of Globalization on Developing Countries (Foreign Ministry of Finland and University of Helsinki, 2002)
- Business Sector Programme Support to Vietnam (DANIDA, 2003-2004)
- GMS Power Distribution and Transmission Project, Cambodia (ADB, 2003)
Microfinance is a widely utilised mechanism to alleviate poverty. Providing access to microfinance can prove to be an effective way of reaching the poor and improving their lives. Different concepts of microfinance have been used but generally it is targeted at poor rural households with small-scale loans and/or deposits and with simple service delivery mechanisms at the grassroots level.
MKE has gained significant experience in the field of microfinance and banking in the Greater Mekong sub-region. MKE has expertise in the following areas related to microfinance and banking:
- Design and evaluation of microfinance projects
- Financial markets
- Financial institutions
- Business and financial management
- Policy, legal and regulatory reform
Examples of prior research work in this area include:
- Developing Comprehensive Strategy to Access to Microfinance (partnered with DFC Spain for World Bank project, 2006)
- Microfinance in Vietnam (partnered with Development Consultants for DANIDA project, 2005)
- Impact Evaluation and Operational Review of Microfinance Programme (Save the Children US, 2003)
- External Appraisal of Credit Scheme (FINIDA, 2003)
- Demand for Risk Managing Financial Services from Poor Women in the Informal Sector in Vietnam (ILO, 2003)
- Building Private Sector Institutional Capacity in Asia (BICA) (Japanese Ministry of Finance, 2002)
- Microfinance Schemes and Issues in Vietnam Project (DFID, 2001)
- Analysis of the Microfinance Environment in Vietnam (The McKnight Foundation USA 2001)
Accountable and transparent public administration, management and decision-making processes are the basis of good governance. Good governance has widely been recognized as instrumental in supporting poverty reduction and economic growth. Specific areas of MKE experience include:
- Public Sector Reform
- Economic Management and Financial Reform
- Education and Training
- Human Resource Management and Development
- Management Information Systems
- Monitoring and Evaluation
- Decentralization
- “Grass-roots” Democracy and Strengthening of Civil Society
Examples of projects MKE has carried out in the field of governance include:
- Research on Political Dialogue and Consultation in Vietnam – Grassroots Democracy (Embassy of Finland, 2005)
- Business Sector Programme Support to Vietnam (DANIDA, 2004)
- Strengthening the Capacity of the Office of Government, Vietnam (DANIDA, 2002-2003)
- Comprehensive Survey of Public Administration Reform, Vietnam (ADB, 2002)
- Improving the Regulatory Environment for Business (UNDP & CIEM, 2001)
- Policy Briefing Kit on SMEs in Vietnam (ADB, 2000)
- Private Sector Development/SME Promotion at the Provincial Level – Programme Preparatory Mission (GTZ, 2003)
- Building Institutional Capacity in Asia I (Government of Japan, 2001)
- Building Institutional Capacity in Asia II (Government of Japan, 2001)