Economic research and data

The Office of the Chief Economist (OCE) has several functions.

It assesses the transition impact of EBRD projects and the transition progress of the Bank’s countries of operations.

It also evaluates macroeconomic developments in the Bank’s countries of operations and produces regular economic growth forecasts, key economic vulnerability indicators, macro economic series and financial market data.

The Office plays a key role in the development of the Bank’s country and sector strategies by engaging in policy dialogue with the country authorities and other international financial institutions.

It also manages an economic research programme focused on topics of policy relevance to EBRD countries of operation or to EBRD operations. The programme comprises large surveys (in areas such as enterprise performance, business environment, management organisation, banking performance and people's lives in transition), rigorous impact assessments as well as other empirical and applied theoretical research. Research output is disseminated via the Transition Report, the Regional Economic Prospects, a Working Paper series and other special reports and surveys.

The Office of the Chief Economist plays an important role as the main voice of EBRD in the economics community and, along with the President, in the public policy debate. To this end, the Office also manages an extensive Outreach programme, including a range of activities, workshops, seminars, conferences and roadshows, both at the Bank’s HQ and in the region.

The Office of the Chief Economist is led by Erik Berglof, who took up the position of Chief Economist in January 2006.

Latest updates

Guest post: Latvia’s long day’s journey out of night [Financial Times - ‎June 5, 2013]

EBRD: Growth to come [Financial Times - ‎May 10, 2013‎]

EBRD 2013 [The Banker, May 10-11, 2013]

Transition to Transition Initiative

More news stories | Comment and analysis from the EBRD blog