Initiated in June 1998, the vision of the South Asia Network of Economic Research Institutes (SANEI) is to develop beneficial networking among research institutions in South Asia to foster networking between them and global institutions and experts, build research excellence and promote policy relevant and collaborative research, expand outreach, and promote exchange of ideas and lessons learned for the purpose of development. The objective of SANEI is to assist informed policy making in South Asia through promoting credible research, effective networking, and expanding and shaping policy debates and outreach in the region.

SANEI is a regional partner of the Global Development Network (GDN)--an international organization of research and policy institutes promoting the generation, sharing, and application to policy of multidisciplinary knowledge with the aim of promoting better research, better policy, and a better developing world.

SANEI organizes regional research competitions annually to select research projects for funding to develop high quality research capacity especially among researchers dispersed across countries in South Asia through encouraging collaborative research by two or more research institutes based in different countries. SANEI also promotes dissemination of research knowledge using different modes of communication including various forms of publication targeting policy makers and other knowledge users. In addition, SANEI organizes annual conferences, as well as seminars, symposiums and public lectures to disseminate knowledge, promote exchange of ideas and cooperation for collaboration, and develop deeper links among researchers and research institutions to advance development in South Asia.