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Brief History of KEPE

The Centre of Planning and Economic Research (KEPE) was established in 1959, as a small research unit, under the name "Centre of Economic Research". The decision for its establishment was taken by the Prime Minister of Greece at that time, Konstantinos Karamanlis, following a proposal by Xenophon Zolotas, Governor of the Bank of Greece. Its operation was organized by its first President and Scientific Director Professor Andeas Papandreou, who was brought in from the University of California, Berkeley, for that purpose.

The primary aims of KEPE since its establishment were the scientific study of the problems of the Greek economy, the encouragement of economic research and the cooperation with other scientific institutions. In 1964, the year KEPE acquired its present name, its objectives widened to include the preparation of short, medium and long-term development plans, the analysis of Greece’s short and medium term economic developments, the formulation of economic policy proposals and the education of young economists.

In its 51 years of operation KEPE has produced over 650 research publications, as well as a very large number of unpublished studies, reports and position papers in support of economic policy decisions. KEPE’s list of scientific directors, management members, research fellows, visiting scholars and authors includes several prominent economists at the national and international levels. Moreover, the contribution of KEPE’s specialised research library to the support of economic research in Greece has been widely recognized.

Today, KEPE is the largest economic research institute in Greece and operates under the supervision of the Ministry of Regional Development, and Competitiveness. Its activities are focused on applied research concerning the Greek economy, on the study of economic conjuncture and on the provision of advisory services to the government on issues of economic analysis and policy.

SCIENTIFIC DIRECTORS AND CHAIRMEN OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS SINCE 1960

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