The Brazilian Instituto de Pesquisa Econômica Aplicada (Institute for Applied Economic Research) will receive a US$7,150,000 technical cooperation loan from the Inter-American Development Bank to improve its capacity to formulate, monitor and evaluate public policies and to study the country’s development challenges to recommend alternative solutions.
The program approved today by the Board of Executive Directors will support the management and performance of IPEA. It will produce, systematize and disseminate knowledge by developing key research projects that will contribute toward the improvement of prototypes and new processes to meet specific requirements for public policy. It will also strengthen cooperation with national and international researchers and institutions by implementing exchanges of visiting specialists, participation in international congresses and supporting a national forum. Communication and dissemination of information to the general public will be an important objective.
“This operation will invest in research and development to support the search for new or refined knowledge and ideas,” said Juan Luna-Kelser, the Project Team Leader. “It will also support the application of such knowledge and ideas for the development of new and improved public policy products, with the expectation of improving Brazil’s productive capacity and accelerating social development.”
“IPEA's research production is extremely valuable to the IDB since it provides key inputs for the preparation of the Bank’s country lending strategy and direction, as well as country and sector studies,” added Luna-Kelser.
IPEA is a public planning and research foundation under the Ministry of Planning, Budget and Management. During its 40-year history, IPEA has been responsible for the preparation of economic and social studies that have served as the basis for the government’s formulation of economic policy and economic development plans, with a medium- and long-term strategic vision. It produces discussion papers, studies and socioeconomic research.
The loan is for a 20-year period, with a five-year grace period, at a variable interest rate based on Libor.
Local counterpart funds for the project will total US$1,650,000.