Conference on Fiscal Decentralization

Sponsored by the IMF Fiscal Affairs Department (FAD)
IMF Headquarters, Washington, D.C.

November 20-21, 2000

Decentralization is assuming larger proportions in the Fund’s policy dialog with several member countries, and has featured centrally in a number of recent programs. This conference will focus on the prerequisites for effective service delivery and good governance in an increasingly decentralized world, and for the concomitant macro-management of the economies concerned.

The program covers key policy issues, as well as lessons from different parts of the world. Many distinguished academics and practitioners have agreed to present papers or act as discussants. There will also be several World Bank presenters.

Agenda

Monday, November 20


9:00 a.m. Welcoming Remarks — Horst Köhler (IMF)
9:15 a.m. On Fiscal Federalism: Issues to Worry About
Author: Vito Tanzi (FAD)
  Governance and Institutions
Chair: Vito Tanzi (FAD)
9:45 a.m. An Introduction to Decentralization Failure
Author: A. Breton (University of Toronto, and International Centre for Economic Research, Turin, Italy
10:30 a.m. Decentralization and the Quality of Government
Author: D. Treisman (University of California at Los Angeles)
10:50 a.m. Localization and Corruption: Panacea or Pandora’s Box?
Authors: Tugrul Gurgur (World Bank) and Anwar Shah (World Bank)
11:10 a.m. Does Decentralization Serve the Poor?
Authors: Joachim von Braun (Zentrum für Entwicklungsforschung, University of Bonn) and Ulrike Grote (Zentrum für Entwicklungsforschung, University of Bonn)
11:30 a.m. Discussant: Michael Keen (FAD)
  Africa
Chair: E. Hernandez-Cata (IMF, African Department)
2:15 p.m. Fiscal Decentralization in East and Southern Africa: A Selective Review of Experience and Thoughts on Moving Forward
Author: P. Smoke (New York University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology)
2:35 p.m. Decentralization in Africa
Author: G. Brosio (University of Turin)
2:55 p.m. Discussant: I. Momoniat (Ministry of Finance, South Africa)
  Asia
Chair: Mario Blejer (IMF, Asia and Pacific Department)
3:45 p.m. Fiscal Decentralization in Indian Federalism
Author: Govinda Rao (Institute for Social and Economic Change, Bangalore)
4:05 p.m. Indonesia—Managing Decentralization
Authors: Ehtisham Ahmad (FAD) and Ali Mansoor (FAD)
4:25 p.m. Discussant: Ke-young Chu (FAD)
  Latin America
Chair: Claudio Loser (IMF, Western Hemisphere Department)
4:45 p.m. Recent Developments on Federalism and Decentralization: Lessons from the Argentine Experience
Author: E. Rezk (University of Cordoba/Ministry of Finance, Argentina)
4:55 p.m. Sub-national Borrowing in Argentina
Author: Juan Pablo Jimenez (Ministry of Economy, Argentina)
5:10 p.m. Brazil: An Evolving Federation
Authors: José Afonso (Fiscal Affairs Department of the Brazilian National Development Bank) and Luiz de Mello (FAD)
5:20 p.m. Discussant: Teresa Ter-Minassian (IMF, Western Hemisphere Department)

 

Tuesday, November 21


  Transition Economies
Chair: Nick Stern (World Bank)
9:00 a.m. Making Decentralization Work—The Case of Russia, Ukraine, and Kazakhstan
Authors: J. Martinez-Vazquez (Georgia State University), Era Dabla-Norris (IMF Institute), and J. Norregaard (FAD)
9:20 a.m. Fiscal Federalist Relations in Russia: A Case for Subnational Autonomy
Authors: Aleksei Lavrov (Ministry of Finance, Russian Federation), John Litwack (Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development), and D. Sutherland (Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development)
9:40 a.m. The Effectiveness of Decentralization in Hungary and Slovakia
Author: Jean-Jacques Dethier (World Bank)
10:30 a.m. Recentralization in China?
Authors: E. Ahmad (FAD), Li Keping (Macroeconomic Division, State Council, Beijing), and T. Richardson (IMF, European II Department)
10:50 a.m. Discussant: Christine Wallich (Asian Development Bank/World Bank)
  European Union
Chair: Michael Deppler (IMF, European I Department)
2:00 p.m. Consensus Democracy and Inter-jurisdictional Fiscal Solidarity in Germany
Authors: P. Bernd Spahn (University of Frankfurt) and Oliver Franz (University of Frankfurt)
2:20 p.m. Decentralization in a Supranationality—the Case of the European Union
Author: Pierre Salmon (Université de Bourgogne)
2:40 p.m. Intergovernmental Fiscal Relations in Italy
Author: Piero Giarda (Vice-Minister, Ministry of Treasury, Rome)
3:00 p.m. Fiscal Decentralization in Spain
Author: Julio Vinuela (FAD)
3:40 p.m. Discussant: Pierre Pestieu (University of Liège and FAD)
4:40 p.m. Round Table
Chair: Vito Tanzi (FAD)
  Authors: A. Breton (University of Toronto), I. Momoniat (Ministry of Finance, South Africa), C. Wallich (Asian Development Bank/World Bank), J.P. Jimenez (Ministry of Economy and Finance, Argentina), P. Giarda (Ministry of Treasury, Italy)