International Government Consulting

Comprised of economists, statisticians, policy analysts and industry experts, our practice forms an extension of your operations to help you answer critical questions.

IHS Consulting enables you to:

• Quantify the costs and benefits of new or expanded state and local government programs, including job creation, tax revenue increases and public benefits
• Assess the economic development investments required to spawn new industry clusters in your area
• Better understand the characteristics of freight transportation movement in your area and plan an effective emergency response system
• Gain critical insight into how proposed policy changes will affect your jurisdiction
• Identify and prioritize investment opportunities
• Forecast tax revenue based on your jurisdiction's socioeconomic forecasts and revenue-simulation modelling
• Examine alternative energy and bio-fuel sources and the potential of "green" technology applications
• Develop innovative tourism strategies
• Identify waste and abuse in key governmental delivery systems, such as insurance, disability claims and unemployment payments
• Understand and implement regulatory compliance

Case Study #1: Cost Benefit Analysis of Scrapping Schemes

Challenge: In 2009, significant levels of public spending were devoted to scrapping schemes with the objective of providing demand-side stimulus to the economy (thereby cushioning the effects of the severe economic crisis) and promoting enhanced environmental and safety transportation through the replacement of older vehicles with newer, less polluting, and safer vehicles. The European Commission had a profound interest in member state vehicle scrapping schemes since they could contribute to both economic and environmental European Commission strategic goals.

Solution: IHS produced a report which considered the short- and medium-term effectiveness of scrapping schemes for vehicles introduced in member states during 2009 in terms of economic, environmental, and safety impacts. It provided recommendations for scrapping schemes that would allow for their highest economic and environmental efficiency.

Results: The research found that scrapping schemes could be used as an effective tool for short-term economic stimulus (as an arm of fiscal policy) and for targeted industry support at critical times. At the same time, they had accelerated improvements in environmental and safety performance of the European vehicle park, making a significant contribution to the largest single annual drop in average car CO₂ emissions (estimated to have been over 8g/km) in 2009.

Case Study #2:  European Commission: Formulation of Policy for Maritime Transport

Challenge: In 2007, the European Commission's Directorate General for Energy and Transport (DG TREN) commissioned a study in view of formulating future EU policy options for maritime transport. This study was to be prospective in nature and to focus on trends and plausible shipping scenarios in the ten-year time span between 2008 and 2018. The study was to focus on the crucial parts of the maritime cluster, the flow of goods by port and long the trade routes.

Solution: The report reviewed, analyzed and evaluated the container; the liquid and dry bulk; and the roro, ferry and cruise markets. The geographical scope included the Baltic Sea, the Mediterranean, the Black Sea, the Southern Atlantic and the North Sea. IHS consultants met with the national maritime administrations and expert representatives from shipping, ports, ship equipment manufacturers and academic institutions.

Results: The final report was based on in-depth research on:

• Geographical distribution and evolving patterns of seaborne trade
• Signals of future change in shipping
• SWOT analysis
• Shipping scenarios
• Strategic  recommendations

The EC clients used this in-depth information as the basis for policy formulation.

Case Study #3: Competitiveness Assessment of Brazilian Automotive Industry

Challenge: The Brazilian Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade asked IHS Consulting to carry out a global study of the automotive sector (to include an investigation on the competitiveness of OEMs, and tier 1, 2 and 3 companies, in order to be able to propose recommendations for enhancing the productive capacity, modernizing the supply chain and improving the competitiveness of the automotive industry in Brazil.

Solution: The study included a global analysis of the auto sector; a benchmark of Brazil with its main competitors (China, India and Mexico); and a vehicle demand forecast for Brazil from 2010 to 2025. Profiling of more than 170 OEMs and suppliers, the study considered the impact of OEM strategies on production localization in the country and the evolution of power train and new propulsion systems. It also compared typical Brazilian cost structures with the benchmark competitors.

Results: IHS consultants provided the Brazilian Government with depth of analyses and bold recommendations to increase automotive industry competitiveness in areas such as urban mobility and infrastructure; the Research and Development process; supply chain competitiveness; Light and Heavy Vehicle scrappage programmes; and free trade agreements. The Number 1 priority action to improve Brazilian competitiveness quickly was evaluated as being the introduction of CO2 & fuel efficiency legislation since this was seen to be an essential driver to the development of new technologies in locally produced vehicles which, in turn, would facilitate increased exports and greater penetration of the local market.

Case Study #4: European Commission: Cost-Benefit Analysis of Scrapping Schemes

Challenge: In 2009, significant levels of public spending were devoted to scrapping schemes with the objective of providing demand-side stimulus to the economy (thereby cushioning the effects of the severe economic crisis) and promoting enhanced environmental and safety transportation through the replacement of older vehicles with newer, less polluting, and safer vehicles. The European Commission has a profound interest in member state vehicle scrapping schemes, since they could contribute to both economic and environmental EC strategic goals.

Solution: IHS produced a report which considered the short- and medium-term effectiveness of scrapping schemes for vehicles introduced in member states during 2009 in terms of economic, environmental, and safety impacts. It provided recommendations for scrapping schemes that would allow for their highest economic and environmental efficiency.

Results: The research found that scrapping schemes can be used as an effective tool for short-term economic stimulus (as an arm of fiscal policy) and for targeted industry support at critical times. At the same time, they had accelerated  improvements in environmental and safety performance of the European vehicle park, making a significant contribution to the largest single annual drop in average car CO2 emissions (estimated at over 8g/km) in 2009.

Case Study #5: Training the Asian Security Community on Alternative Analysis and Scenario Planning

Challenge: In a dynamic global security environment in which events are unfolding faster and radiating beyond their originating geographies, developing and refining the ability to anticipate a range of discontinuities and plausible contingencies is vital to effective security planning and intelligence collection and analysis. An Asian security client commissioned IHS Consulting to design and deliver a five-day training workshop, focused on effective collection and alternative analysis methodologies.

Solution: Drawing on the vast experience of the IHS Jane’s network, the IHS Security & Risk  Consulting team designed a customized five-day workshop to train analysts focused on horizon scanning to better collect, vet, contextualize and assess information in an effort to anticipate future threats, challenges and opportunities. The course began with instruction on more effectively navigating a wide range of open sources. It then demonstrated a range of alternative analysis techniques—from red teaming to competing hypothesis to devil’s advocacy; before concluding with in-depth discussion and application of alternative futures analysis and scenario planning techniques.

Results: Our five-day course was attended by 25 analysts and community leaders and has led to the design of an advanced alternative analysis curriculum.