## $name

_IMF Seminars, January 1, 1901_

## Source details

**Canonical URL:** [$name](https://www.imf.org/es/news/seminars/conferences/2016/12/31/economic-growth-and-integration-in-central-america)

## Other formats

- [Markdown version](/es/news/seminars/conferences/2016/12/31/economic-growth-and-integration-in-central-america/index.md)
- [Structured JSON version](/es/news/seminars/conferences/2016/12/31/economic-growth-and-integration-in-central-america/index.json)
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## Bibliographic details
- Published: January 1, 1901

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### 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

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## Content in this bundle

- [Op257ch1 (PDF)](/external/pubs/nft/op/257/op257ch1.pdf){rel="external" type="application/pdf"}

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_Source: https://www.imf.org/es/news/seminars/conferences/2016/12/31/economic-growth-and-integration-in-central-america_