International Monetary Fund

XII Annual Regional Conference on Central America, Panama and Dominican Republic

XII Annual Regional Conference on Central America, Panama and Dominican Republic

Costa Rica
November 21-22, 2013


The region has upheld macroeconomic stability, but growth has slowed down and only a moderate pickup is expected next year as the external environment has become less supportive to economic activity.

The twelfth annual conference will discuss strategies to strengthen policies and policy frameworks in the region to mitigate macroeconomic vulnerabilities, thereby reducing downside risks for output and employment. Based on lessons from other countries, the conference will also consider the role of structural reforms in speeding up convergence of per-capita income in the region to that in advanced economies.

In addition, the conference will analyze the implications for the region of macroeconomic prospects in Latin America and of the normalization of financial conditions in advanced economies.


XII Annual Regional Conference on Central America, Panama and Dominican Republic
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
7:00–9:00 p.m.

Reception – Salon Arboleda I
Thursday, November 21, 2013
12:30–2:00 p.m.

Informal Lunch – Salon Arboledas
2:00-2:30 p.m.

Inauguration – Salon Cedros

Opening Remarks

Rodrigo Bolaños, President of Central Bank of Costa Rica

David Lipton, First Deputy Managing Director, IMF

 

Closed session begins, by invitation only—media withdraws
2:30-3:45 p.m.

Session I: Developments and Prospects of the Latin-American Economies – Salon Cedros

This session will present an overview of the economic situation in Latin-America, and the related outlook and risks

Speaker:
Alejandro Werner, Director, Western Hemisphere Department, IMF

Moderator:
Francisco de Paula Gutierrez

Questions and Discussion
3:45–4:15 p.m.

Coffee break
4:15–5:45 p.m.

Session II: Policies to Mitigate Macroeconomic Vulnerabilities in CAPDR – Salon Cedros

This session will present a review of vulnerabilities in CA and measures needed to tackle weaknesses in policy frameworks in the region

Speaker:
Lorenzo Figliuoli, Division Chief, Central America Division, IMF

Moderator:
Francisco de Paula Gutierrez

Questions and Discussion
7:30–10:00 p.m.

Dinner — Sala de Eventos Campo Lago

Introduction:
Rodrigo Bolaños, President of Central Bank of Costa Rica

Keynote speaker:
David Lipton, First Deputy Managing Director, IMF

Tema: Developments and Prospects of the Global Economy
Friday, November 22, 2013
9:00–10:15 a.m.

Session III: Productivity, Growth and Informality in Central America – Salon Real III

Speaker:
Santiago Levy, Vice-President, Sector and Knowledge, IDB

Moderator:
Lizardo Sosa

Questions and Discussion
10:15–10:45 a.m.

Coffee break
10:45 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Session IV: Colombia’s Experience – Salon Real III

Speaker:
Mauricio Cárdenas Santamaría, Minister of Finance of Colombia

Moderator:
Lizardo Sosa

Questions and Discussion
12:00-12:30 p.m.

Closing Remarks:

Marta Evelyn Arevalo, President, Central America Monetary Council

Alejandro Werner,Director, Western Hemisphere Department, IMF
1:00–1:30 p.m.

Press Conference — Salon Real III
12:30-2:30 p.m.

Informal Lunch — Terraza, Salon Real