XVI Regional Conference for Central America, Panama, and the Dominican Republic

Bávaro, República Dominicana

November 14-15, 2019

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Central Bank of Dominican Republic will host the XVI Regional Conference for Central America, Panama, and the Dominican Republic on November 14-15, 2019 in Bavaro, Dominican Republic. Against the backdrop of a still challenging external environment and rising debt levels in the region, this year’s conference will focus on some major structural issues through a wide-ranging discussion on the efficiency of tax incentives; the impact of dollarization and implications; and the role Fintech can play in facilitating cross-border transfers, especially remittances.

Agenda

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

7:00–9:00 pm Welcome Cocktail

Thursday, November 14, 2019

12:00–2:00 pm Informal Lunch
2:00–2:30 pm Inauguration – Rooms 5 and 6 of the Convention Center

Opening remarks:

Mitsuhiro FurasawaDeputy Managing Director, IMF

Héctor Valdez, Governor, Central Bank of the Dominican Republic

2:30–4:00 pm

Session I. Global and Regional Outlook

Speaker:

Ravi Balakrishnan, Central America Division Chief, Western Hemisphere Department, IMF

Moderator:

Marta Ruiz-Arranz, Principal Economic Advisor for Central America, Haiti, Mexico, Panama and the Dominican Republic, IDB

Questions and Discussion

4:00-4:10 pm

Authorities' Picture

4:00–4:30 pm Coffee Break
4:30–6:00 pm

Session II. Impact of dollarization and policy implications

Moderator:

Alina Carare, Central American Deputy Division Chief, Western Hemisphere Department, IMF


Panelists:

Rodrigo Valdés, Former Minister of Finance of Chile


Adrian
 Armas, Manager of Economic Studies, Central Reserve Bank of Peru

Andrew Powell, Principal Advisor in the Research Department, IDB

Questions and Discussion

7:00–10:00 pm Dinner – Convention Center


Introduction:
Héctor Valdez, Governor, Central Bank of Dominican Republic

Keynote speaker:
Rodrigo Valdés, Former Minister of Finance of Chile

Friday, November 15, 2019

7:30 am Deputy Managing Director High-Level Breakfast (by invitation only)

8:45–10:00 am

Session III. Efficiency of tax incentives from a multi-country perspective

Moderator:

Roberto García-Saltos, Latin Caribbean Deputy Division Chief, Western Hemisphere Department, IMF


Panelists:

Dyalá Jiménez Figueres, Minister of Foreign Trade, Costa Rica


Michael Keen
, Deputy Director, Fiscal Affairs Department, IMF

Magín Díaz, Director General of Internal Taxes, The Dominican Republic

Questions and Discussion

10:00–11:15 am

Session IV. Fintech Solutions for Remittance Transfers

Moderator:

Esther Pérez Ruiz, Mission Chief for Guatemala, Western Hemisphere Department, IMF


Panelists:

Rodrigo García, Vice President and General Manager for Mexico, Central America and Caribbean, Western Union

Carlos Trascasa, Senior Partner and Leader of Global Payments Practice, McKinsey

Questions and Discussion

11:15–11:45 am

Closing Remarks:

Héctor Valdez, Governor, Central Bank of the Dominican Republic


Alejandro Werner
Director, Western Hemisphere Department, IMF

Carlos Paredes, President, Central American Monetary Council

Ovidio Reyes, President, Central Bank of Nicaragua

11:45 am–12:15 pm Press Conference – Rooms 5 & 6 of the Convention Center
12:00–2:00 pm Informal Lunch
8:00 pm Closing Reception