Restoring Sustainable Growth and Job Creation in Europe

December 18, 2014, 12:00 AM EST
Peterson Institute for International Economics, Washington, DC

Fabrizio Balassone (Bank of Italy), Jörg Decressin (International Monetary Fund (IMF)), Paolo Mauro (PIIE), Ángel Ubide (PIIE), D.E. Shaw, Fabrizio Saccomanni (Director General of the Bank of Italy), Ajai Chopra (PIIE), Carlo Cottarelli (Commissioner of Public Spending Reform in Italy ), Jacob Funk Kirkegaard (PIIE), Augusto Lopez-Claros (World Bank) and Hung Tran (Institute of International Finance)

The Peterson Institute for International Economics and the Italian Presidency of the EU Council hosted the event "Restoring Sustainable Growth and Job Creation in Europe" on December 18, 2014, to discuss ambitious new policies to solve the persistent economic stagnation in Europe and in the euro area in particular.

The first session covered the macroeconomic policy stance the euro area needs now, given forecast inflation and growth declines, and how to implement those policies. Panelists included Fabrizio Balassone, Bank of Italy; Jörg Decressin, International Monetary Fund (IMF); Paolo Mauro, Peterson Institute for International Economics (PIIE); and Angel Ubide, PIIE and D.E. Shaw.

Fabrizio Saccomanni, former minister of economy and finance of Italy and director general emeritus of the Bank of Italy, delivered the keynote address on the current political and economic situation in the euro area and the initiatives the Italian EU presidency has pursued in the second half of 2014. 

The final session offered new approaches to restoring Europe's long-term potential growth rate. Speakers included Ajai Chopra, PIIE; Carlo Cottarelli, Italian executive director at the IMF; Jacob Funk Kirkegaard, PIIE; Augusto Lopez-Claros, World Bank; and Hung Tran, Institute of International Finance.

Event Materials

Agenda [pdf]

Presentations: Fabrizio Balassone [pdf] | Jörg Decressin [pdf]