XIV Regional Conference on Central America, Panama, and the Dominican Republic

Venue: Guatemala

November 17-18, 2016

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Central Bank of Guatemala will host the XIV Regional Conference for Central America, Panama, and the Dominican Republic on November 17-18, 2016 in Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala. The conference will focus on the economic prospects and policy options for countries in the region in a context of moderate global growth. Participants will also discuss the role of economic integration, infrastructure investment, and financial inclusion play in supporting growth and social progress.

Wednesday, November 16, 2016
7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Reception - Salon Refectorio del Prior
Thursday, November 17, 2016
12:00 – 2:00 p.m. Informal Lunch - Celdas first floor
2:00 – 2:30 p.m.

Inauguration – Salon Real
Opening Remarks:

  • Mitsuhiro Furusawa, Deputy Managing Director, IMF
  • Jimmy Morales, Constitutional President of Guatemala
  Closed session begins, by invitation only—media withdraws
2:30 – 4:00 p.m.

Session I. Mexico: Global Economic Integration under NAFTA

Speaker: Luis De la Calle, Managing Director, De la Calle, Madrazo, Mancera, CMM

Moderator: Maria Antonieta Del Cid, Regional Technical Assistance Center for Central America, Panama and the Dominican Republic, CAPTAC-DR

Questions and discussion
4:00 – 4:30 p.m. Coffee Break - Bucaro's garden
4:30 – 5:30 p.m.

Session II. Central America: The Global and Regional Environment

Speaker: Lorenzo Figliuoli, Division Chief, Central America Division, IMF   Presentation

Moderator: Maria Antonieta Del Cid, Regional Technical Assistance Center for Central America, Panama and the Dominican Republic, CAPTAC-DR

Questions and discussion
7:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Dinner - Tenedor del Cerro Casa Santo Domingo

Introduction: Sergio Recinos, Acting Governor of Bank of Guatemala

Keynote speaker: Mitsuhiro Furusawa, Deputy Managing Director, IMF
Friday, November 18, 2016
9:00 – 10:00 a.m.

Session III. Spain: Economic integration to the European Union

Speaker: Josep Borrell, Former European Parliament President   Presentation

Moderator: Fernando Delgado, Deputy Division Chief, IMF

Questions and discussion
10:00 – 11:00 a.m.

Session IV. The Role of Infrastructure in Inclusive Growth: Lessons from Latin America

Speaker: Jose Luis Guasch, Professor, Department of Economics, University of California   Presentation

Moderator: Gina Montiel, General Manager, Inter-American Development Bank, IADB

Questions and discussion
11:00 – 11:30 a.m.

Closing Remarks:

  • Sergio Recinos, Acting President, Central Bank of Guatemala
  • Alejandro Werner, Director, Western Hemisphere Department, IMF
  • Ovidio Reyes, President, Central American Monetary Council and President of the Central Bank of Nicaragua
  • Manuel Bautista, President, Central Bank of Honduras
11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Press Conference - Guillermo Monsanto Theater

12:00 – 2:00 p.m. Informal Lunch -Celdas first floor