OECD Newsletters II/13/2006

Macroeconomic Policy in the Franc Zone: What can the European Central Bank Learn from Africa?
Tuesday 21 February 2006, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., Room 4, OECD HQ, ParisSeminar organised by the OECD Development Centre and WIDER

The new study by the World Institute for Development Economics Research of the United Nations University (UNU-WIDER) focuses on some of the challenges facing the Franc Zone today:-> How close is the Franc Zone to being an ‘Optimum Currency Area’?-> How well do its institutions manage monetary policy in the area? -> How do its policies impact on the poorest and most disadvantaged communities?The study pays particular attention to the way in which this disparate group of countries exploits the advantages and manage the costs of adhering to a single currency.The plan by other African countries to form monetary unions in the next two years makes the discussion particularly timely, and parallels with the European situation cannot be avoided.The debate will be introduced by author David Fielding and Toulouse professor Jean-Paul Azam under the chairmanship of the OECD Development Centre’s Kenneth Ruffing, Co-ordinator of the African Economic Outlook.

For further information link to OECD Development Centre OECD.org

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