Developing Asia: Achieving Inclusive and Sustainable Growth with Sound Fiscal Management

A Conference Jointly Organized by the IMF and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)

International Conference Hall, JICA Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan

February 12-13, 2020

This conference served as a forum for Ministers and Central Bank Governors from Asian countries, academics, and IMF and JICA staff, and focused on two main themes: (i) achieving inclusive growth and the Sustainable Development Goals – what will it cost and how to ensure a sustainable approach; and (ii) securing fiscal and debt sustainability while supporting inclusive and sustained growth. The event concluded with a high-level Roundtable Discussion.

 

Wednesday, February 12, 2020

19:00-21:00

Welcome Dinner

Welcome Remarks:

  • Shinichi Kitaoka, President, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
  • Changyong Rhee, Director, Asia and Pacific Department (APD), International Monetary Fund (IMF)

Thursday, February 13, 2020

8:30–9:00

Registration

9:00–9:20

Welcome Remarks:

  • Mitsuhiro Furusawa, Deputy Managing Director, IMF
    Speech
  • Mutsuya Mori, Vice President, JICA

Opening Remarks:

  • Yoshiki Takeuchi, Vice Minister of Finance for International Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Japan

9:20–9:30

Photo Session

SESSION I

Achieving Inclusive Growth and the SDGs - What Will it Cost and How to Ensure a Sustainable Approach?

9:30–10:45

Spending Needs for Achieving Selected SDGs

Moderator:

  • Takuji Tanaka, IMF Executive Director for Japan

Presenter:

  • Mercedes Garcia-Escribano, Deputy Division Chief, Fiscal Affairs Department, IMF
    Presentation

Discussants:

  • Lkhagvasuren Byadran, Governor, Bank of Mongolia
  • Kapila Chaminda Senanayake Maddumage, Director General, Department of Fiscal Policy, Ministry of Finance, Sri Lanka

10:45-11:00

Coffee Break

11:00-12:00

Invest More, Invest Better to Support the SDGs: Lessons from Universal Health Coverage

Moderator:

  • Makoto Tobe, Senior Advisor, Human Development Department, JICA
    Presentation

Presenters: 

  • Saeda Makimoto, Executive Senior Research Fellow, JICA Research Institute
    Presentation
  • Mai Farid, Assistant Minister for Economic Justice and Executive Director of the Economic Justice Unit, Ministry of Finance, Egypt
  • Bounsathien Phimmasenh, Director, External Financial Division, Department of Finance, Ministry of Health, Lao P.D.R.

Discussants:

  • Dalin Chhun, Deputy Director, Macroeconomic and Fiscal Policy, Ministry of Economy and Finance, Cambodia
  • Holger van Eden, Regional Public Finance Advisor, IMF Capacity Development Office in Thailand, IMF 

12:00–13:15

Lunch

SESSION II

Securing Fiscal and Debt Sustainability while Supporting Inclusive and Sustained Growth

13:15–14:15

Fiscal Components of a Sustainable and Inclusive Growth Agenda: Illustrations from South Asia and Broader Considerations 

Moderator:

  • Chikahisa Sumi, Director, IMF Office for Asia and the Pacific

Presenters: 

  • Andrew Hodge, Economist, APD, IMF
    Presentation
  • Jonathan Dunn, Deputy Head of Office, IMF Office for Asia and the Pacific
    Presentation

Discussants:

  • Dasho Penjore, Governor, Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan
  • Shohei Hara, Director General, South Asia Department, JICA
    Presentation
  • Ragnar Gudmundsson, IMF Resident Representative in Bangladesh 

14:15–15:15

Public Finance Management Reforms: The State of Play in Asia

Moderator:

  • Suguru Miyazaki, Senior Director, Credit Risk Analysis and Environmental Review Department, JICA

Presenter: 

  • Kensuke Tsuji, Director, Public Governance and Financial Management Team, Industrial Development and Public Policy Department, JICA
    Presentation
  • Holger van Eden, Regional Public Finance Advisor, IMF Capacity Development Office in Thailand, IMF
    Presentation

Discussants:

  • Khurelbaatar Chimed, Minister of Finance, Mongolia
  • Wahyu Utomo, Senior Analyst of Government Expenditure and Financing Policy, Center for Budget Policy, Fiscal Policy Agency, Ministry of Finance, Indonesia 

15:15–15:45

Coffee Break

SESSION III

Roundtable Discussions and Concluding Remarks

15:45–16:45

Moderator:

  • Changyong Rhee, Director, APD, IMF

Panelists:

  • Mohammad Humayon Qayoumi, Minister of Finance, Afghanistan
  • Benjamin Estoista Diokno, Governor, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas
  • Nakhonsy Manodham, Deputy Director General, Monetary Policy Department, Bank of the Lao P.D.R.
  • Ryosuke Nakata, Chief Economist, JICA

16:45–17:00

Closing Remarks

  • Tadashi Yokoyama, Senior Vice President, JICA     
  • Changyong Rhee, Director, APD, IMF