Aneta A. Teperek, Ph.D
Founder & President, Organization for the Smallest Economies in the World (OSEW)
Director of Research, OSEW
Researcher, Centre for Tourism Research, Development and Innovation, Portugal
Former Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Leiria and Oeste, Portugal
Former Visiting Fellow, Geneva Graduate Institute, Switzerland
Author of Three Scholarly Books with Palgrave Macmillan
Economist | PhD in Economics and Finance
Leader of International Research & Development Initiatives
International Entrepreneur, Founder, Investor & Business Executive
International Business Leadership Experience
20+
years in international business
3
monographs, Palgrave Macmillan
10+
years researching the world’s smallest economies
3
edited volumes in preparation
43
countries’ ambassadors engaged
90+
countries visited
93
economies studied
ABOUT
Science and Business: Two Lifelong Passions
My professional life has been shaped by two passions: science, inspired by my Dad, and business, which I grew up surrounded by thanks to my Mom, a remarkable businesswoman.
In pursuing both academic and entrepreneurial paths, the strong educational foundation I gained in Poland, the United States, Portugal and Switzerland has played an important role. For more than two decades, I have built and managed companies operating across Europe, North America, Asia and Africa.
Traveling to more than 90 countries drew my attention to the world’s smallest economies, which became the focus of my PhD, postdoctoral research, research fellowship and three books with Palgrave Macmillan. My academic and entrepreneurial background, combining research expertise with international business experience, provided the conceptual and operational foundation for the mission and establishment of the Organization for the Smallest Economies in the World (OSEW), which aims to give these economies a stronger voice on the international stage.
LEADERSHIP
Current Positions and Leadership Roles
Founder, President & Director of Research
OSEW, New York · since 2024
Leading a non-profit organization dedicated to the international visibility, global integration and economic development of the world’s 93 smallest economies, through five programmes: Trade, Business & Investment, Tourism, Agriculture and Culture.
Leader of International Cross-Sector Cooperation
Academia · Government · Diplomacy · Private Sector
Cooperation with government authorities and diplomatic representatives, including ambassadors from 43 countries, and international organizations, universities and business leaders, supported by Goodwill Ambassadors from more than 30 countries, including former heads of state and government.
Economist, Author and Researcher
CiTUR, University of Leiria and Oeste · since 2021
Nearly a decade of research on the economic growth, long-term development and global integration of the world’s 93 smallest economies, resulting in three single-authored books with Palgrave Macmillan and three edited volumes in preparation.
International Entrepreneur, Founder, Investor & Business Executive
Europe · North America · Africa · Asia · since 2000
More than two decades of founding, co-founding, investing in and managing international companies in IT consulting, real estate development, international commodity trading and business advisory services.
INITIATIVES
International Initiatives I Lead
Geneva · 2027
OSEW Trade Empowerment Congress for the World’s Smallest Economies
WTO-accredited ambassadors, international organizations, academic trade experts, and private sector representatives from the world’s smallest economies.
San Marino · April 2027
ETC–OSEW World’s Smallest Economies Tourism Congress
With the European Travel Commission, for tourism ministers representing the world’s smallest economies and global tourism leaders.
Multi-country initiative
Community-Based Tourism in the World’s Smallest Economies
Training for 3,000 participants in Cape Verde, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Timor-Leste, endorsed by UNWTO and the European Travel Commission.
Additionally, Saudi Arabia Business Forum on the World’s 93 Smallest Economies (Riyadh) and Argentina Business Forum on the World’s 93 Smallest Economies (Buenos Aires) – under development; agricultural initiatives in Timor-Leste.
RESEARCH
Research Focus
The economic development and global integration of the world’s 93 smallest economies, with a strong focus on:
PUBLICATIONS
Books
Integration of the World’s Smallest Economies into the Global Economy: Measurement across Institutional, Trade, Migration, Capital and Financial Dimensions
Palgrave Macmillan, 2026
Offers the first multidimensional assessment of the integration of the world’s 93 smallest economies into the global economy, drawing on twelve measures. It examines key dimensions of integration, including institutional participation, assessed through membership in international…
Economic Development in the World’s Smallest Economies: How Geography, Demographics, and Culture Define Economic Activity
Palgrave Macmillan, 2024 · Indexed in Scopus
Examines three fundamental factors influencing economic growth and development across the world’s 93 smallest economies: geographical, demographic and cultural conditions. The study aims to assess whether these economies have the necessary natural resources, human capital…
Long-Term Economic Growth in the World’s Smallest Economies: Historical, Political, and Economical Aspects
Palgrave Macmillan, 2024 · Indexed in Scopus
Offers a comprehensive examination of the historical, political and economic factors influencing the growth and development of the world’s 93 smallest economies. The book begins with an overview of global economic history, followed by an in-depth analysis of the distinct…
Palgrave Macmillan
Edited Volumes in Preparation
Editor
Doing Business in the World’s Smallest Economies: Opportunities and Market Realities
Examining business environments and investment opportunities, with contributions from ambassadors representing more than 30 of the world’s smallest economies.
Editor
Trade in the World’s Smallest Economies: Constraints and Opportunities
Examining country-level trade conditions, constraints and opportunities, with contributions from WTO-accredited ambassadors representing the world’s smallest economies.
Co-editor
Can Tourism Narrow Economic Disparities Across the World’s 93 Smallest Economies?
Examining tourism’s contribution to economic development and its potential to reduce disparities, with contributions from internationally recognized tourism scholars and leaders, including a former Secretary-General of UNWTO and President of both the WTTC and IATA, the current CEO of the European Travel Commission, and H.E. Dr. Gavin Gulia, Ambassador of Malta.
EDUCATION
Academic Path
2025–2026
Visiting Fellow
Geneva Graduate Institute
2021–2023
Postdoctoral Researcher
University of Leiria and Oeste
2019–2020
PhD in Economics and Finance
Warsaw School of Economics
2003–2004
Wharton Fellow
The Wharton School
2004
Executive Education
Harvard Business School
BUSINESS
Selected Business Experience
2016–now
Pro-Enterprise, Founder & CEO
International commodity trading
2010–2020
Rosendhal Development, Founder
Boutique residential developments, Warsaw
2003–2010
Saragosta Consulting, Founder
Business continuity and risk management
2000–2004
Gladstone Consulting, Co-founder & VP Operations
IT solutions for banks
CONTACT
Get in Touch
Aneta A. Teperek, PhD
Economist · Founder & President, Organization for the Smallest Economies in the World (OSEW)
Copyright © 2026 Aneta A. Teperek. All rights reserved.