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IMF Seminars, January 1, 1901
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Bibliographic details
- Published: January 1, 1901
Event details
- Event: Book forum on "Economic Growth and Integration in Central America"
- Date: Thursday, June 21, 2007
- Time: 12:30 - 2:00 p.m.
- Location: IMF Auditorium (HQ1-R-710)
- Access: Open to Fund/Bank Staff and the Public (light refreshments will be served)
- RSVP and security:
- For security reasons, please RSVP to EventsRSVP@imf.org. A picture ID will be required; persons and bags will be screened.
- Please arrive 15-20 minutes early to allow for these additional measures.
- Visitors should enter through the IMF Center, 720 19 th St. NW.
- Only IMF/World Bank Staff ID holders should use IMF main entrance at 700 19 th St. NW.
Context and major themes
- Regional optimism:
- There is much optimism about Central America's economic future, reflecting continuing political and economic stability and deepening global and regional integration.
- Integration milestones and prospects:
- Implementation of the free trade agreement with the United States (CAFTA-DR).
- Prospects for the creation of a Central American customs union.
- Forthcoming start of negotiations on an Association Agreement with the European Union.
- Policy challenges and objectives:
- Policymakers have the opportunity to make the region more attractive for investment by accelerating reforms, with the ultimate objectives of achieving higher sustainable growth and tackling poverty.
- There is scope to make the region more resilient against adverse shocks, including those associated with the integration process itself.
Substantive focus of the book forum
- Purpose:
- The forum will address issues related to economic growth and regional integration in Central America.
- Format:
- Moderated by David Robinson.
- Begins with a short presentation by the editors Dominique Desruelle and Alfred Schipke.
- Followed by comments from regional representatives and a policy analyst.
Featured participants and roles
- Moderator:
- David Robinson, Deputy Director of Western Hemisphere Department. Background highlights:
- Studied mathematics and economics at Oxford University.
- Joined the U.K. Treasury in 1982; joined the Fund staff in 1985.
- Worked in the European, Asian, and Research Departments.
- Involved in the study of the USSR economy in 1989; worked on Thailand and Malaysia before the Asian crisis; responsible for the Fund's work on China and Hong Kong SAR; managed the Fund's multilateral surveillance, including the World Economic Outlook; worked on the first Multilateral Consultation.
- Presenters / Editors:
- Dominique Desruelle, Chief of the Central America Division in the Western Hemisphere Department. Roles and background:
- Coordinated the Department's regional work in Central America and led bilateral missions to Costa Rica and El Salvador.
- Prior assignments in the Policy Development and Review Department and the European II Department.
- Nationality: French. Education: degrees from Princeton University, the Illinois Institute of Technology, and the Ecole Centrale de Paris.
- Alfred Schipke, Regional Resident Representative for Central America in Guatemala. Roles and background:
- Co-led the Western Hemisphere Department's analytical work on Central America and expanded the Fund's regional outreach.
- Previously a research fellow at the Kiel Institute of World Economics.
- Holds a PhD in economics; taught international trade and finance at Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government.
- Research interests include economic integration and linkages between macroeconomics and financial markets.
- Commentators:
- Arturo Cruz, Ambassador of Nicaragua to the United States of America and Canada. Additional background:
- Tenured professor at INCAE Business School in Managua, Nicaragua.
- Academic focus on social, economic and political trends in Latin America; author of books and articles.
- Education: Doctorate in Modern History at the University of Oxford; Masters in International Relations from the Paul Nitze School of International Relations at John Hopkins.
- Jose Guillermo Castillo Villacorta, Ambassador of Guatemala to the United States of America. Additional background:
- Previously served as minister (1999-2000) and vice minister of economy in charge of trade issues (1998-99).
- Worked in financial and corporate sectors in Guatemala and abroad.
- Education: bachelor's degree from Francisco Marroquín University; Fulbright scholar; master's degree in business administration from Northwestern University.
- Peter Hakim, President of the Inter-American Dialogue. Additional background:
- Writes and speaks widely on hemispheric issues; has testified more than a dozen times before Congress.
- Articles published in Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, the New York Times, the Washington Post, Miami Herald, Los Angeles Times, and Financial Times.
Institutional contact information
- IMF EXTERNAL RELATIONS DEPARTMENT
- Public Affairs E-mail: publicaffairs@imf.org
- Media Relations E-mail: media@imf.org
- Fax: 202-623-6220
- Phone: 202-623-7100