Minsk, July, 7-16. The World Bank mission works in Minsk during July 6-16 to present the Belarus Economic Policy Notes (BEPNs) to the Government of Belarus and to a broader audience, including academia, research institutes and think-tanks. Mr. Luca Barbone, ECSPE Director, Ms. Benu Bidanu, ECSPE Sector manager and Mr. Martin Raiser, Country Director ECCU2, will join the team on July, 8 for discussions on the major findings and recommendations of the BEPN and on reform priorities and possible sequencing of next steps.
The workshop “Rebalancing growth in Belarus” for the intergovernmental working group with the participation of the key government experts involved in the preparation of the BEPNs and forthcoming Country Economic Memorandum (CEM) was held on July, 8.
Presentation of Belarus Economic Policy Notes "Rebalancing growth in Belarus"
Agenda
Session I. Introduction and general context
Chair: Nikolai Snopkov, Minister of Economy, Republic of Belarus
15:30- 15:40 Welcome remarks
Martin Raiser, Country Director for Belarus, Ukraine and Moldova, World Bank
Nikolai Snopkov, Minister of Economy, Republic of Belarus
15:40-15:55 Recent Developments in the Euro Zone and Implications for Belarus
Luca Barbone, Sector Director, ECA Poverty Reduction and Economic Management, World Bank
Session II. Presentation of major findings and recommendations
Chair: Martin Raiser, World Bank
15:55 -16:10 Belarusian Industrial Sector: Performance, Trends and Issues
Marina Bakanova, Senior Country Economist, World Bank
16:10-16:25 Trade Performance and Competitiveness
Marina Bakanova, Senior Country Economist, World Bank
Continuation of Session II
16:50-17:05 Services Sector Performance and Issues
Marina Bakanova, Senior Country Economist, World Bank
17:05-17:50 Discussion
Session III. Rebalancing Growth: A Reform Path
Chair: Luca Barbone, World Bank
17:50 -18:05 Challenges and Reform Priorities for Belarus
Pablo Saavedra, World Bank
18:05-18:35 Discussion
18:35 – 18:45 Concluding remarks: Luca Barbone, World Bank