User Participation

  The users of the research results are envisaged as policymakers, policy analysts and advisors, as well as academics and researchers that are involved in focus areas ranging from economic planning and fiscal policy; fiscal decentralization and local public financial management; informal economy; entrepreneurship; gender equality and women’s economic participation; and labor economics, inspection and administration.

  The research partner institutes constitute these target ‘users’ both at the policy and academic ends. For instance, Dr. Hafiz Pasha represents the Beaconhouse National University, which is a private center of academic research and learning. He is also a member of the Panel of Economists, an independent advisory committee for the Pakistan government. He has also served as the Federal Minister for Finance and Economic Affairs, and Commerce Minister in three governments. Another example is Dr. Govinda Rao, who represents the National Institute of Public Finance and Policy which is an independent economic think-tank. Dr. Rao has also led or been part of Committees such as the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, Technical Experts Committee for the Introduction of State VAT in India, Expert Group on Taxation of Services, Expert Group Panchayat Raj, Tax Reforms Commission, Revenue Reforms Commission, State Finance Ministers’ Committee on Sales Tax Reform.

  These users have been involved at all stages of the planning cycle of the proposal, including the evolution of thematic focus, implementation modalities, institutional and financial arrangements, etc., as outlined in the ‘Background of Proposal Development’ section.

  In addition, government officials in each country that are involved in formulating and/or implementing policies related to taxation and enterprise development will serve as Key Informants who will be interviewed to structure the policy problem and frame alternatives, at the data collection stage. They will also be invited to participate in Policy Engagement Workshops held in each country, (described below), where they will be presented with research findings and relevant policy recommendations.