In recent years the world has witnessed a seismic shift in the distribution of economic wealth and power with the growth of emerging economies.  Emerging economies provided the main driver for continuous growth of the world economy over the recent decade.  In particular, the BRICs countries, i.e., China, Russia, India, and Brazil, were able to contribute more than 40% of the world growth since 2000.  A recent report by Ernst & Young suggests that these emerging countries will continue to contribute at the same or higher level to the global growth through 2020.  As the world faces the recent financial crisis, it once again turns to emerging economies for much needed help for recovery.  Emerging economies still present new markets and growth opportunities for the global economy.

Emerging economies experience fast and immense changes across various sectors of the economy and society which expose a great deal of uncertainties and risks.  Their growth is built on weak and imbalanced systems leaving them vulnerable to external shocks and internal unrest.  The fast growth in emerging economies is not paralleled with proper systems, institutions, and capabilities that are necessary to sustain the growth.  They are seriously lacking human capital and know-how, which pose a serious bottleneck to sustain the growth.  The west is also in desperate needs of knowledge and understanding of the emerging economies that have become an essential part of their economic system.  However, it is a big challenge for anyone to properly understand and see through the changes even in immediate future in emerging economies.

While the needs for knowledge on emerging economies are strong, there has been limited effort to research on these economies.  Doing research on emerging economies requires understanding from deep inside given their complex systems and fast changes.  SIEMS’s research focus totally lies in emerging economies, mostly the four leading BRICs countries.  It is dedicated to knowledge creation and distribution on emerging economies.  As a hub for knowledge on emerging economies we intend to offer help to the west so that they can properly engage and develop relationships with emerging economies.  SIEMS reflects an insider’s view of emerging economies and offers them guidance and knowledge to maintain sustained and balanced growth.

SIEMS strives to be a globally leading and responsible voice on emerging economies.  It consists of active and world-renowned scholars on emerging economies working in one of its offices located in China, Russia, and India.  It conducts comparative studies on issues that are commonly applicable across emerging economies.  While its studies are highly rigorous, its outputs should be able to offer practical and broadly applicable knowledge.  SIEMS is also a platform for scholars and thinkers on emerging economies to exchange ideas and engage in collaborative effort to seek for new knowledge.  We thus extend our invitation to all of you, who have interest and expertise on emerging economies, to join us and study together the exciting phenomena happening in this important part of the world.

Sam Park
President, SIEMS