The Central Asia-Caucasus Institute at SAIS, Johns Hopkins University, and the International Monetary Fund invite you to a co-sponsored Forum:

“An IMF View of the Impact of Global Economic Revival for the Caucasus and Central Asia”


Featuring


Dr. Ratna Sahay, Deputy Director, Middle East and Central Asia Department, IMF

Commenting

Dr. Sergei Gretsky, the Catholic University of America

Wednesday, June 16, 2010
5-7 PM
The Rome Auditorium, 1st Fl, Rome Building SAIS, Johns Hopkins University
1619 Massachusetts Ave., N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20036

The global economic downturn took a heavy toll on the countries of the Caucasus and Central Asia, although countercyclical fiscal and monetary policies and donor support provided some offset. For 2010, a recovery is projected across the region as the global economy picks up speed. Growth for the energy exporters is projected at 4.5 percent, but remains weaker—at about 3 percent—for the energy importers. A common challenge is to revive private-sector credit growth, which turned negative in a number of countries as a result of the global crisis. At this Forum Dr. Ratna Sahay, Deputy Director in the Middle East and Central Asia Department of the IMF, will present the economic outlook for the countries in the region and will discuss key policy challenges and recommendations. Commenting on her observations will be Dr. Sergei Gretsky of the Catholic University, whose research focuses on the region’s economies and financial sectors.

The Forum opens with a reception and refreshments at 5 PM. The program will begin promptly at 5:30 PM and conclude at 7 PM. RSVP for this event is mandatory and will not be accepted after 10 AM on the day of the event. To register, please send an email with your name and affiliation to SAISCACIForums@jhu.edu or call 202-663-7723.

The Central Asia-Caucasus Institute is a primary institution in the United States for the study of the Caucasus, Central Asia and the Caspian Region. The Institute, affiliated with Johns Hopkins University-SAIS, forms part of a Joint Center with the Silk Road Studies Program, affiliated with the Stockholm-based Institute for Security and Development Policy. Additional information about the Joint Center, as well as its several publications series, is available at www.silkroadstudies.org.