MIER's main business is to monitor and analyse the developments of the Malaysian economy, business environment and international economic trends and to undertake research projects commissioned by government agencies, corporate bodies, businesses, and international and donor agencies. To meet these objectives, MIER focuses on the following fields: macroeconomic trends and forecasting, policy studies, industry studies and area studies.
The Macroeconomic Trends and Forecasting Division monitors, analyses and forecasts current and future developments in the Malaysian, regional and world economies and disseminates its findings to policymakers, industrialists, bankers, and business people. The main strength of this division lies in forecasting and modelling activities and undertaking research in the realm of macroeconomic indicators, sectoral forecasts and current developments relating to commodity prices, international trade, international capital flows, external payments, exchange rates, etc.
The Policy Studies Division carries out in-depth and practical research on a wide range of areas which include economic policy and planning, banking and finance, human resource development and management, agricultural and industrial development, international trade, investment, services and environment. The main purpose of these studies is to provide inputs and guidelines for long-term policy formulations and investment decisions. The main thrust of these studies, which partly represent commissioned works, lies in discovering major changes in the domestic, regional and international scenes that call for appropriate policy shifts and adjustments.
The Industry Studies Division analyses trends and changes in the domestic and foreign markets of major industries, technological developments and competition in the marketplace, and feasibility and viability of new ventures. The scope of this division's research encompasses primary industries, manufacturing and services. These studies, which also represent in part contract research, provide the government and industrialists with useful information and inputs for investment and other business decisions.
The Area Studies Division conducts regional and sub-regional studies where these may positively benefit Malaysia's economic development. The main purpose of this division is to provide a window for MIER to go regional and international in the wake of the opening up of newly emerging economies in Indochina, Central Asia and other parts of the world. Studies by this division assist these countries in their development planning, human resource development and integration of their economies into the global economy through bilateral, regional and multilateral channels.
MIER offers business consulting to stockbrokers, international fund managers, unit trusts and other investment agencies on the current macroeconomic trends and policy directions. In addition, it also provides comments on current issues to clients upon request.
MIER has established extensive institutional linkages with research institutes and universities, both at home and abroad, not only for the exchange of publications and research output, but also for active collaboration and cooperation in its research efforts. The Institute's networking covers many universities and thinktanks in several countries including Canada, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and the United States. There are plans for the expansion of this network. MIER also hosts, from time to time, a number of research interns, both local and foreign.
MIER holds seminars, conferences and forums, both at national and international levels, on a regular basis, not only to disseminate its research findings but also to enhance academic exchanges, in which foreign and local scholars and specialists present their views and ideas. These include National Economic Briefing (NEB) which is conducted twice a year and National Outlook Conference (NOC) at the year-end. In addition, MIER holds Brown Bag Seminars which represent informal brainstorming sessions over lunch. MIER offers also short-term training programmes for government officials and business executives.
Publications form an important activity of MIER with its dual aims of publicising the work of the Institute to the public and fellow researchers, and disseminating its research findings. These comprise periodical publications, discussion papers, conference proceedings, monographs and research reports. The MIER Weekly Bulletin and MIER Monthly Monitor closely tracks short-term developments in the Malaysian economy as well as important external economic happenings. The Survey of Business Conditions, Survey of Consumer Sentiments and Economic Indicators Report are released quarterly. The Malaysian Economic Outlook provides a forecast of the Malaysian economy and is released every quarter, incorporating the latest economic developments. It also contains box articles on current issues. In addition, the Institute also publishes an annual journal called MIER Economic Perspective which provides a summary of selected papers from MIER conferences and other research work done at the Institute, including a synopsis of economic forecasts.
The Institute contributed a fortnightly column called "MIERScope" on topical issues in the New Straits Times. It has been replaced by a new column in the Star called "MIERScan" as of 28th June 2004
Download some of the latest MIERScope/MIERScan articles
The Institute's fee-based membership is open to the public and private sectors. Corporate and Individual Members are eligible to receive the Institute's quarterly newsletter, purchase publications and participate in all paid conferences of the Institute at a discount, and attend workshops and public lectures organised by MIER. A distinguished category of the Institute's membership is that of the MIER Forecasting Club. The members of this Club are entitled to receive the quarterly publications of the Institute, in addition to having access to the World Economic Outlook Report from the Wharton Econometric Forecasting Associates (WEFA) with which MIER has special relations, and enjoying all the benefits of corporate and individual members mentioned above.
For a more detailed writeup, go here for Corporate Membership and here for Forecasting Club membership
