The Enterprise Research Institute (ERI) is a leading consulting group in the development field. It works with the international finance institutions to provide technical assistance that emphasizes the need for continuing, consistent reform along the path to an open economy. We focus on:
- Issues related to improving the business environment so that the private sector can attain its full potential.
- The development of financial markets, including those in the rural and informal economy.
- Developing property rights for both movable and immovable property
- Continued economic, institutional and social reforms within this context.
- Incentives and Institutions that support private sector development.
To accomplish these goals ERI:
- Works with international institutions to diagnose problems and design programs to promote reform. Partners include:
- The World Bank
- The Inter-American Development Bank
- The International Monetary Fund
- The Corporaci�n Andino de Fomento
- The Asian Development Bank
- FAO
- Advises governments on the implementation of these programs.
- Helps government officials to identify areas that have restricted private sector and financial market development.
- Specializes in assessments of the environment for the private sector as well as analyzing barriers to the workings of financial markets.
In formulating reform programs that promote economic development, it is important to address barriers specific to business growth in both urban and rural areas, such as high transaction costs, inadequate infrastructure, weak property rights or collateral laws and non-transparent tax or labor cost policies.
Despite the recognition of the importance of political, economic, and social institutions to the business environment, the practical knowledge of how to implement second generation reform to strengthen these institutions is not widespread. ERI has this practical knowledge and is focused on economic and social issues.
ERI is engaged in or has undertaken private sector assessments in over 20 countries, including Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, El Salvador, Georgia, Guyana, Kyrgyz Republic, Moldova, Peru, Philippines (rural business environment), Romania, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Papua New Guinea, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Samoa and Vanuatu.