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IMF Seminars, January 1, 1901
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Bibliographic details
- Published: January 1, 1901
Event details
- The event was held on 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).
- Security and entry instructions provided by the International Monetary Fund (IMF): RSVP required to EventsRSVP@imf.org; a picture ID will be required; persons and bags will be screened. Visitors should arrive 15-20 minutes early. 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 objectives
- The event focused on regional prospects and policy options in Central America in the context of continuing political and economic stability and deepening global and regional integration.
- Noted regional 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 objective highlighted by the IMF: accelerate reforms to make the region more attractive for investment, with the ultimate objectives of achieving higher sustainable growth and tackling poverty.
- Additional objective: increase regional resilience to adverse shocks, including those associated with the integration process itself.
Program, themes, and analytical focus
- The event was structured as a book forum on "Economic Growth and Integration in Central America".
- Format:
- Moderated discussion led by David Robinson.
- Short presentation by the editors of the publication, Dominique Desruelle and Alfred Schipke.
- Comments from regional representatives and a civil-society policy analyst.
- Core analytical themes to be addressed:
- How deeper global and regional integration affects growth prospects in Central America.
- Policy reforms to accelerate investment attraction.
- Strategies to enhance resilience against adverse shocks related to integration.
- Role of regional initiatives (customs union, trade agreements) in shaping economic outcomes.
Participants and roles
- Moderator:
- David Robinson, Deputy Director of Western Hemisphere Department, IMF. Background: studied mathematics and economics at Oxford University; previously worked at the U.K. Treasury (joined in 1982); joined IMF staff in 1985; has worked in European, Asian, and Research Departments; involved in study of the USSR economy in 1989; worked on Thailand and Malaysia pre-Asian crisis; responsible for IMF 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 of the publication):
- Dominique Desruelle, Chief of the Central America Division in the Western Hemisphere Department, IMF. Responsibilities: coordinated the Department's regional work in Central America; led bilateral missions to Costa Rica and El Salvador; previous assignments in the Policy Development and Review Department and European II Department.
- Alfred Schipke, Regional Resident Representative for Central America in Guatemala, IMF. Responsibilities: co-led analytical work on Central America; fostered dialogue with Central American authorities on regional issues; expanded the Fund's regional outreach activities. Background: former 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; tenured professor at INCAE Business School in Managua; academic focus on social, economic and political trends in Latin America; holds a Doctorate in Modern History from the University of Oxford and a Masters in International Relations from the Paul Nitze School of International Relations at Johns Hopkins.
- Jose Guillermo Castillo Villacorta, Ambassador of Guatemala to the United States of America; previously minister (1999-2000) and vice minister of economy in charge of trade issues (1998-99); background in financial and corporate sectors; holds a bachelor's degree from Francisco Marroquín University and an MBA from Northwestern University; is a Fulbright scholar.
- Peter Hakim, President of the Inter-American Dialogue; Washington-based policy analyst and commentator on Western Hemisphere affairs; contributor to publications including Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, the New York Times, the Washington Post, Miami Herald, Los Angeles Times, and Financial Times; frequent congressional testimony and media commentator.
Key logistical and contact information (IMF External Relations)
- Departments: Public Affairs; Media Relations.
- E-mail contacts: publicaffairs@imf.org; media@imf.org.
- Fax: 202-623-6220.
- Phone: 202-623-7100.