1st Session : “Macro-framework”

Tokyo, Japan

August 9-10, 2017

Seminar Content

Content: The lectures will provide an overview of how the IMF analyzes macroeconomic issues, including through the use of its financial programming tool.

Objective: Participants will gain an understanding of how to use financial programming and other tools to analyze real world macroeconomic problems and country cases.

TargetStudents on Master’s/ PhD degree programs who are interested in working for international organizations while pursuing to develop expertise in macroeconomics, international finance, development economics, and other related fields. Young scholars and undergraduate students can also apply.

Lecturer

Dr. Jerald Schiff currently teaches at American University. Previously, he was Deputy Director of the Asia and Pacific Department of the IMF. He held a number of senior positions at the IMF.

Agenda

Wednesday, August 9

9:00–

Registration

9:25–9:45

Welcome and Opening Remarks

Mr. Chikahisa Sumi, Director, IMF

Mr. Shohei Hara, Head, Office for Global Issues and Development Partnership,

Operations Strategy Department, Japan International Cooperation Agency

9:45-17:30

9:45–10:45

SESSION I: IMF and Macroeconomic Framework

A. The Role of the IMF

The session will first explain the role of the IMF in the international financial system and the key differences with other international organizations such as the World Bank. In addition, the lecturer will provide hands-on experience in describing how an IMF economist works at Headquarters and in the field.

PRESENTATION

Discussion

10:45-11:00

COFFEE BREAK

11:00-12:30

B. The IMF's Macroeconomic Framework

This session will provide an overview of the ways in which the IMF analyzes and projects macroeconomic developments and policies. The lecture will discuss the IMF's financial programming tool, and describe how it is used to understand linkages between macroeconomic variables and to make projections that are both internally consistent and sensible. The role of financial programming in identifying policy targets in IMF financial programs will also be explored. Finally, the lecture will discuss key concepts--such as potential growth, output gaps, and internal and external balance--underlying IMF macroeconomic analysis and policy recommendations.

PRESENTATION

Recommended Online course after the session:

- Financial Programming and Policies, Part 1: Macroeconomic Accounts &

Analysis (FPP.1x)

- Financial Programming and Policies, Part 2: Program Design (FPP.2x)

- Macroeconomic Forecasting (MFx)

- Macroeconomic Diagnostics (MDSx)

Discussion

12:30–13:30

LUNCH

13:30–15:30

C. Macroeconomic Policies in Depth

This session will examine in more detail the IMF framework for considering fiscal and monetary policies. Specific country examples will be discussed. In this context, the session will also elaborate on the IMF's Debt Sustainability Analysis (DSA) which is a key tool for assessing debt-related vulnerabilities and risks of debt crisis.

PRESENTATION

Recommended Online Course After the Session:

- Debt Sustainability Analysis (DSAx)

- Financial Market Analysis (FMAx).

Discussion

15:30-16:00

COFFEE BREAK

16:00-17:00

D. Application of the IMF’s Macroeconomic Framework to Country Analysis

The lecture will use a country case study to discuss how to use macroeconomic data to understand a country's economic developments, prospects, and risks. A recent IMF staff report will serve as the basis of this lecture.

PRESENTATION

Recommended Online Course After the Session:

- Macroeconomic Diagnostics (MDSx)

17:00–17:30

End of day 1

The material that will form the basis of participants’ presentations on the morning of day 2 will be distributed.

Thursday, August 10

10:00-12:00

SESSION II: Participants’ presentations

In this session, participants will analyze some tables from an IMF staff report to give diagnosis of the country and will present their findings.

12:00–13:00

LUNCH

13:00-16:00

 

 

13:00-15:00

SESSION III: Application of the IMF’s Macroeconomic Framework to Japan’s Policy Implementation

Case from JICA

The lecture by a JICA staff member will explain how the JICA utilizes the IMF analysis and macroeconomic indicators when they consider concessional loans and grants to recipient countries.

Discussion

15:00–16:00

Case from JBIC

The lecture by a JBIC staff member will explain how the JBIC utilizes the IMF analysis and macroeconomic indicators when they consider concessional loans to recipient countries.

Discussion

16:00-

RECEPTION

Photo session