Student Stories: Forecasting Inflation for the UAE
Fernando Mundaca is currently pursuing a master’s degree in the MPA/ID program at Harvard Kennedy School (expected graduation in May 2023). He was accepted into the Growth Lab’s 2022 Summer Internship Program and contributed to the UAE project. Our team is developing rigorous research to inform the Ministry of Economy in devising a dynamic trade policy, geared towards promoting structural transformation in the UAE and achieving sustained long-term economic growth.
Why did you apply to be a Growth Lab intern?
I found the project on diversification of the UAE’s economy very interesting. I wanted to work in a country set-up that was completely different to what I was used to (South American government).
What did you work on this summer?
I worked on a model to forecast/nowcast inflation in the UAE. Because of the international context, high inflation in the country was a concern for the Ministry of Economy. I divided the CPI into four components and worked a model for each component.
In what ways were you challenged?
Working in a new country for a new institution, locating and accessing information was a challenge. The ministry is a large and complex organization that I had to quickly learn how to navigate if the project was to be successful.
What was your most exciting experience?
Getting to know a different government type (monarchy) and monetary policy (exchange rate pegged to the dollar) were the most exciting aspects of doing the internship.
What advice would you give future Growth Lab interns?
I would advise them to have patience even if the internship seems short. There is enough time to do something productive and interesting.
What’s next for you?
After the program, I am going back to the Central Reserve Bank of Peru to try to apply some of the tools learned at HKS.
Student Stories: Developing Diversification Strategies for African Countries
Benedikt Margraf is a second-year MPA student at the London School of Economics and Political Science. As part of the Growth Lab’s 2022 Summer Internship Program, he contributed to the newly formed Pan-Africa research agenda. Our team is exploring the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the underlying constraints that have held African nations back from economic diversification and structural transformation.
Why did you apply to be a Growth Lab intern?
The Growth Lab constituted an excellent opportunity to deepen my interest in economic growth constraints with an empirical-analytical focus.
What did you work on this summer?
My work focused on the development of national export diversification strategies in the context of the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement.
In what ways were you challenged?
Although AfCFTA has already been ratified and is in force, implementation is still very much in its infancy. Identifying concrete export opportunities and existing constraints therefore requires very detailed research at the product and industry level, extensive econometric analysis and background discussions with institutional stakeholders. Exciting and challenging at the same time.
What was your most exciting experience?
I especially enjoyed the inspiring colleagues and teamwork.
What advice would you give future Growth Lab interns?
Be curious and apply!
What’s next for you?
I will start the second year of the two-year MPA program, specializing in Economic Policy.
Student Stories: From DEV 309 to Analyzing WAEMU’s Impact on Trade
Julia Conrad is a second-year MPA/ID student at Harvard Kennedy School. She was accepted into the Growth Lab’s 2022 Summer Internship Program and contributed to the newly formed Pan-Africa research agenda. Our team is exploring the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the underlying constraints that have held African nations back from economic diversification and structural transformation.
Why did you apply to be a Growth Lab intern?
In Fall 2021, I completed the Development Policy Strategy (DEV-309) course with Professor Ricardo Hausmann. It was a great learning experience and one that I hoped to build on with this opportunity. As the regional focus of the internship was Africa, it was especially interesting and fitting to my background and experience.
What did you work on this summer?
For the case of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), I analyzed how the establishment of a regional economic bloc has translated into increased trade and investment among member countries and within the region. [Read Julia’s blog on this research]
In what ways were you challenged?
I initially intended to talk to policymakers and trade practitioners in WAEMU to discuss the Growth Lab’s research agenda on AfCFTA and to receive feedback on some tools that were developed. Unfortunately, the outreach via Zoom/email was more difficult than expected, also given that my internship fell into the holiday season of many institutions and ministries.
What was your most exciting experience?
I very much enjoyed the Growth Lab’s Development Talk seminar with economist and Namibian Finance Minister Iipumbu Wendelinus Shiimi.
What advice would you give future Growth Lab interns?
I believe it could be more fruitful to work on a research question as a team of interns or to be paired with a full-time Growth Lab research staff. Therefore, I recommend future interns consider aligning in advance.
What’s next for you?
I am leaving for a trekking trip to the Peruvian Andes and after I will attempt to climb Cotopaxi in Ecuador (wish me good luck!).
Student Stories: Unlocking Green Hydrogen in Namibia
Henry Rounds is a second-year MPA/ID student at Harvard Kennedy School. He was accepted into the Growth Lab’s 2022 Summer Internship Program and contributed to the project in Namibia. This two-year policy engagement with the Government of Namibia focuses on supporting implementation efforts on a range of growth- and inclusion-related challenges.
Why did you apply to be a Growth Lab intern?
As a result of my growing interest in understanding the levers of economic growth and equitable distribution, I applied to the Growth Lab Namibia project to work directly with the government on a project aimed at harnessing the resources of the private sector to spur new growth and create jobs.
What did you work on this summer?
Over the summer, I was tasked with identifying how Namibia could unlock future growth as it invests in developing a green hydrogen industry. In particular, I focused on understanding the kinds of industries that could thrive in a cheap green energy context and the skills the Namibian workforce will have to develop to benefit fully.
“What’s exciting is simply Namibia’s opportunity to develop a brand new industry that will be in high demand in the future and one that it is competitively positioned to produce, given its geography.”
Henry Rounds MPA/ID 2023
In what ways were you challenged?
One of the most challenging aspects of the work was the multiplicity of stakeholders involved, each with their own priorities. Moving forward means getting everyone on the same page, a challenging task across government agencies, not to mention private actors.
What was your most exciting experience?
What’s exciting is simply Namibia’s opportunity to develop a brand new industry that will be in high demand in the future and one that it is competitively positioned to produce, given its geography.
What advice would you give future Growth Lab interns?
Define your scope early and talk to as many folks as possible, no matter what their role. Also, travel as much as you can to get to know the country and work with other interns if possible!
What’s next for you?
I’m looking forward to continuing my work on Namibia as part of my SYPA, and deepening my ability to apply Growth Lab’s approach to the questions that arose this summer.
Student Stories: Fighting Altitude and Teaching Public Policy in Bolivia
Marco Brancher is a second-year MPA/ID student at Harvard Kennedy School. He was accepted into the Growth Lab’s 2022 Summer Internship Program and participated in our engagement with the Master’s Programs for Development (MpD) at Catholic University of Bolivia. This focus of the project is to strengthen the teaching and studies of the public policy challenges in Bolivia.
Why did you apply to be a Growth Lab intern?
I applied to the Growth Lab because I was eager to learn more about Economic Complexity and I wanted to have the teaching experience.
What did you work on this summer?
During the summer I taught a few classes in Bolivia, exploring my experience with data analysis for public policies and microeconomic theory. Moreover, I am writing a report using a gravity model with complexity components to better assess the products the country should be exporting to develop its economy.
In what ways were you challenged?
I was challenged in every way. First, I was challenged by the altitude of La Paz and by the pressure of teaching classes in Spanish in a hybrid environment. Then I was challenged by the data gathering process and by the econometric estimation. Finally, I think it was super hard to really understand the Bolivian economic constraints.
What was your most exciting experience?
Certainly, teaching! It was an incredible experience to be able to prepare the classes and receive the students’ feedback. After this experience, I realized that I could learn a lot by teaching and interacting with students.
What advice would you give future Growth Lab interns?
Try to spend the most time possible in the country where you are going to work!
What’s next for you?
I’m not sure! I’ll probably continue to work with macro policy and development issues, focusing on structural change and inequalities.
Student Stories: Overcoming Unique Challenges in the UAE
Harumi Hasegawa Sanchez is a second-year MPA/ID student at Harvard Kennedy School. She was accepted into the Growth Lab’s 2022 Summer Internship Program and contributed to the UAE project. Our team is developing rigorous research to inform the Ministry of Economy in devising a dynamic trade policy, geared towards promoting structural transformation in the UAE and achieving sustained long-term economic growth.
Why did you apply to be a Growth Lab intern?
I found this opportunity unique for having such a dynamic balance between research and applied work to real-life situations where I can put into practice my academic and professional experience.
What did you work on this summer?
I collaborated closely with the UAE’s Ministry of Economy working on micro- and macroeconomic main policy reform topics. Specifically, I studied the economic history of the UAE to understand the main drivers of the diversification process since the establishment of the country. Also, I developed GDP nowcasting models to strengthen the Ministry’s forecasting methods.
In what ways were you challenged?
The UAE is a completely different country in terms of how the economy works, the political dynamics, its society and public policy targets. These differences challenged my previous knowledge and preconceptions about how a country should or usually works and what they should look for. I learned a lot in this process, and it opened my mind to different realities.
What was your most exciting experience?
When the Growth Lab team came to the UAE, the interns participated in meetings with different authorities in Dubai and Abu Dhabi; including the Ministry of Industry, the Department of Economic Development, and leaders in trade negotiation and research departments, among others. This was key to deepening my understanding of the country.
“Make the most of the internship experience by choosing a combination of a country that you know less about and the topic that you are most interested in.”
Harumi Hasegawa Sanchez MPA/ID 2023
What advice would you give future Growth Lab interns?
Take the opportunity to broaden your knowledge and make the most of the internship experience by choosing a combination of a country that you know less about and the topic that you are most interested in. In this way, you get to apply some of the tools that you know in a totally different environment.
What’s next for you?
In the short term, preparing for my second and last year of the MPA/ID where I want to keep challenging myself on learning new topics such as political economy and macroeconomic crisis, as well as looking forward to honing my skills in leadership and negotiation.
Student Stories: Exploring Investment Opportunities in Namibia
Caitlin McIlwain is pursuing her MPA at the London School of Economics and Political Science. She held an internship with the Namibia Investment Promotion Development Board and contributed to the Growth Lab’s project in Namibia. This two-year policy engagement with the Government of Namibia focuses on supporting implementation efforts on a range of growth- and inclusion-related challenges.
Why did you apply to be a Growth Lab intern?
Miguel Santos! Just kidding. I really like the Growth Lab’s philosophy that a way to measure growth is through complexity. Their tools just make sense to even the average person, and often when making policy, that’s the person you need to pander to. I wanted experience in the development sector and I had never travelled to Africa. I spent a lot of time researching Namibia before I applied and found its history fascinating and complex. I was up for the challenge.
What did you work on this summer?
I worked for the Namibia Investment Promotion Development Board which is a public organization under the office of the president in Namibia. I worked with the investment and new ventures team to drive investments to the appropriate industry sector (the sector that was most feasible and attractive for Namibia to grow into) and to facilitate efficiency gains among private and public sector participants who experienced significant constraints to growth.
“Having never been to Africa before and being the only (and first) intern in the NIPDB office, it was challenging to find my footing at first. I had to become independent and self-sufficient quickly…”
Caitlin McIlwain LSE MPA 2023
In what ways were you challenged?
Having never been to Africa before and being the only (and first) intern in the NIPDB office, it was challenging to find my footing at first. I had to become independent and self-sufficient quickly, working on research projects and tasks that were really different from what I’d done in my working life before. I was also having discussions about Namibia’s future with Namibians who had been invested in development long before I arrived, so it felt that I had some catching up to do to be able to participate to the fullest extent.
What was your most exciting experience?
Towards the end of my internship, I worked on a slide deck detailing the ins and outs of green hydrogen for a layman’s understanding, noting that I had very little scientific background going into it. I spent days researching green hydrogen and how it could benefit Namibia and I’m surprised by how much I was able to learn and synthesize for a more basic audience’s understanding. I actually became really passionate about green hydrogen. Non-work related: a leopard walking along the road next to our car when on safari in Namibian’s biggest national park, Etosha.
What advice would you give future Growth Lab interns?
Explore the Atlas tool in detail and learn as much as you can about your specific country’s history, politics, demographics, and even geography. Everything is important and will likely be relevant in your internship. I know more about Namibia than I do about England at this stage.
What’s next for you?
Honestly, I’m not sure. I have a whole year to figure out which path of policy I want to go down. Something related to development policy healthcare policy would be ideal.