International Monetary Fund

IMF, CENTRAL AMERICAN MONETARY COUNCIL, COUNCIL OF FINANCE MINISTERS OF CENTRAL AMERICA, AND COUNCIL OF FINANCIAL SUPERINTENDENTS OF CENTRAL AMERICA

10th Annual Regional Conference on Central America, Panama, and the Dominican Republic

Real Intercontinental Hotel, Managua, Nicaragua

July 28-29, 2011


The tenth annual conference will provide an opportunity to take stock of macroeconomic policies in the Central America, Panama, and the Dominican Republic two years after the global financial crisis.

This year’s conference will focus on the main current policy challenges for the region. In particular, we plan to discuss the implications for the region of the global outlook as of mid-2011 (including the effects of high oil and food prices); the progress in rebuilding fiscal space and securing debt sustainability; the strength of financial regulation and supervision systems and their macroprudential framework; and the interaction between structural reforms and growth.

The event is not open to the public, but concludes with a Press Conference.

10th Annual Regional Conference on Central America, Panama, and the Dominican Republic
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
1:30–6:30 pm Third Steering Committee Meeting Regional Technical Assistance Center (CAPTAC-DR)
By invitation only
7:00-9:00 pm Cocktail Reception (Salón Cedro, Hotel Real Intercontinental Metrocentro)
Thursday, July 28, 2011
12:30–2:30 pm Informal Lunch (Restaurante Voltes, Hotel Real Intercontinental Metrocentro)
2:30–3:00 pm Inauguration

Opening Remarks

Antenor Rosales Bolaños, President, Central Bank of Nicaragua

Nemat Shafik, Deputy Managing Director, IMF

Read Nemat Shafik's speech Speech
  Begin closed session, by invitation only—media withdraws
3:00–4:15 pm Session I: Global Outlook, Risks and Policies

Speaker:
Olivier Blanchard, Economic Counsellor and Director, Research Department, IMF

Moderator:
Nicolás Eyzaguirre, Director, Western Hemisphere Department, IMF
  Questions and Discussion
4:15–4:45 pm Coffee Break
4:45–6:15 pm Session II: Economic Outlook and Challenges for Central America, Panama and the Dominican Republic.

Speaker:
Nicolás Eyzaguirre, Director, Western Hemisphere Department, IMF

Moderator:
Olivier Blanchard, Economic Counsellor and Director, Research Department, IMF
  Questions and Discussion
8:00–10:00 pm Dinner (per invitation only) (Salón Roble, Hotel Real Intercontinental Metrocentro)

Introduction:
Antenor Rosales Bolaños, President, Central Bank of Nicaragua

Keynote speaker:
Nemat Shafik, Deputy Managing Director, IMF

Topic: A Tale of Two Regions
Friday, July 29, 2011
8:30–9:15 am Session III: Central America, Panama, and the Dominican Republic in the Aftermath of the Global Crisis—Policies for Macroeconomic Stability and Growth.

Topic 1: Fiscal Position in CAPDR: Outlook and Options.

Speaker:
Miguel Savastano, Deputy Director, Western Hemisphere Department, IMF

Moderator:
Juan Alberto Fuentes, Regional Advisor, Economic Comission for Latin America and the Caribean (ECLAC), Mexico
9:15–9:45 am Questions and Discussion
9:45–10:15 am Coffee Break
10:15–11:00 am Topic 2: Structural Agenda to Increase Growth in Central America.

Speaker:
Marco Piñón, Central American Division Chief, Western Hemisphere Department, IMF

Moderator:
Francisco de Paula Gutiérrez, Professor, INCAE Business School
11:00–11:30 am Questions and Discussion
11:30-12:00 pm Coffee Break
12:00-12:30 pm Closing Remarks

Rodrigo Bolaños Zamora, Vice-President, Central American Monetary Council

Nicolás Eyzaguirre, Director, Western Hemisphere Department, IMF
12:30–1:00 pm Press Conference
12:30–2:30 pm Informal Lunch (Salón Roble 3 del Hotel Real Intercontinental Metrocentro)