IMF Conference

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

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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)