The CEPII is France's leading institute for research on the international economy. The Centre's independence is guaranteed by its Board, which sets out the strategic guidelines for the CEPII's research. The Board comprises government officials, business personalities, trade unionists and academics. A Scientific Committee also validates the work of the Centre and examines its research methods, the publication of the CEPII's findings, as well as its joint projects with other institutes. Administratively linked to the French Planning Agency, the CEPII was created in 1978, and has a team of about fifty, including thirty economists. The CEPII's work, be it in international macroeconomics, trade, foreign direct investment or in the analysis of emerging and transition economies, very much stresses global interdependencies and their consequences for France and Europe. Partnerships with other French and foreign research institutes, along with major international organisations - especially within the European Union - help ensure the Centre's international exposure and contribute to the active involvement of French research in international debates on economic policy. The CEPII provides its expertise to public and private decision-makers, as well as to social partners. It has regular contacts with major French and European government organisations responsible for economic policy, with other public institutions (parliamentary assemblies, the Banque de France), and with companies. The dual research-expertise nature of the Centre's work and the variety of its partners make the CEPII a meeting point for research, business and government. Its work is rapidly available in Working Paper format, and is regularly discussed at international meetings and colloquia. The Centre's expertise is widely diffused in the press, and at meetings specifically targeted on issues of current economic affairs. The CEPII's publications such as the Lettre du CEPII (monthly) and Economie mondiale (annual) bring its research to a wide readership. The
