2019 South Pacific Central Banking Research Conference and Regional Policy Dialogue

2019 South Pacific Central Banking Research Conference and Regional Policy Dialogue

Motivation The Griffith-SPCB annual regional conference brings together South Pacific central bank researchers to share with academics, policy makers, regulators, multilateral organisations, business leaders, civil society, from the South Pacific, Australasia and the wider Asia-Pacific region current research on the region and to explore vital links between research and policy relating to central banking issues, including financial and private sectors and economic growth and development. The purpose of the high-level regional policy dialogue is to create an atmosphere that promotes spirited interaction among participants and helps policy makers fine-tune their own approaches as they apply the lessons and details of SPCCB-supported economic policy research on the region. Besides this specific immediate outcome, the dialogue is designed to improve the prospects for cooperative policy research between policy makers and researchers.

Conference Convenors Parmendra Sharma Program Convenor, South Pacific Centre for Central Banking Griffith University p.sharma@griffith.edu.au Peter Tarimakem Deputy Governor Reserve Bank of Vanuatu PTari@rbv.gov.vu

Steering Committee • Esala Masitabua (Deputy Governor, Reserve Bank of Fiji) • Luke Forau (Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Solomon Islands) • Ellison Pidik, (Assistant Governor, Bank of Papua New Guinea) • Jen Je Su (Co-Program Convenor, South Pacific Centre for Central Banking)

Organising Committee [Reserve Bank of Vanuatu] • Gloria Siri—Director, Economics and Research Department • Arold Bill—Economist, Economics and Research Department • Lonneth Jonas—Supervisor, Department of Support and Services • Linda Daniel—Secretary to Economics and Research Department

2019 South Pacific Central Banking Research Conference and Regional Policy Dialogue

Program

DAY 1 Wednesday 13 November

7:30am Registration / networking

9:45am Welcome: Parmendra Sharma conference co-convenor

10:00am

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Opening Remarks: Clinton Pobke, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Joint Keynote Address: Simeon Athy, Governor, Reserve Bank of Vanuatu

10:45am MORNING TEA / NETWORKING/ PHOTO SESSION 11:15am

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Panel: Enhancing SPCB’s “research for policy” aspirations in the region Moderator: Rebecca Williams, Manager, Policy Analysis, RBNZ Special speaker: Lotte Schou-Zibell, Regional Director-PLCO, ADB-Sydney Panellists: Loi Bakani, Governor, Bank of Papua New Guinea Ariff Ali, Governor, Reserve Bank of Fiji Denton Rarawa, former Governor, Central Bank of Solomon Islands Lotte Schou-Zibell, Regional Director-PLCO, ADB-Sydney

12:30pm LUNCH 1:30pm

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Financial development and stability I Moderator: Peter Dirou, ADB Siri, G., M. Mera, S. Nghiem, and P. Sharma, Banking efficiency in Vanuatu [RBV] Prasad K., S. Karan, S. Alam, N. Jayawardena, and P. Sharma: Financial development and

health in Fiji [RBF] Loea, M., J. Boe, L. Nguyen, P. Sharma, Credit constraints of the MSME sector in Solomon

Islands [CBSI] Tumsok, M: Estimating excess liquidity demand for Papua New Guinea [BPNG]

3:00pm AFTERNOON TEA / NETWORKING

South Pacific Central Banking Research Conference 2019

3:30pm

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Financial development and stability II Moderator: Milissa Day, IFC Takana, V., A. H. Bataanisia, J. Boe, J. Toito’ona, S. Takana and P. Acheampong, A whole of

life approach to the housing sector in Solomon Islands [CBSI] Wainiqolo, I., S. Kirpal, & N. Jayawardena, Interest rates & affordable housing in Fiji [RBF] Aba, L: Cross-border interbank contagion risk analysis for Papua New Guinea [BPNG] Aipi, B., E. Direye and L. Aba, Advancing financial inclusion using contemporary digital

technology in Papua New Guinea [BPNG]

5:00pm ADJOURNMENT

5.:30pm Conference Reception (cocktail) Speaker: Peter Tarimakem, Deputy Governor, RBV. Venue: Blue Marlin (transport provided)

8:30pm End of day’s program

DAY 2 Thursday 14 November

8:00am Registration / networking 8:30am

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2020 JWPs Dialogue [for central bankers ONLY—researchers and Governors] Moderators: Parmendra Sharma [GU], Jen-Je Su [GU] and Luke Forau [CBSI]

• To confirm topics & co-authors for 2020; regional topics & co-authorships encouraged

• To discuss PhD prospects

10:00am MORNING TEA / NETWORKING 10:30am

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III Macroeconomics

Moderator: Adam Gorajek, RBA Kim, E: Public debt sustainability in PICs–issues and policy implications [World Bank] Williams, R: The future of cash in NZ [RBNZ] Makin, T: The China-US trade war: global and regional implications [Griffith] Narain, D., K. Rogoiruwai, T. Singh, Trade and poverty in PICs [RBF] Stuart, A. and L. Hunter: Economic monitoring and capacity building: fishing revenues and

policy implications [IMF] Abiad, A: Impact of trade conflict on developing Asia and the South Pacific [ADB]

12:30pm Closing remarks: Governor, CBSI

12.45pm LUNCH

2:00pm to 4:00pm

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High Level Regional Policy Dialogue [inaugural] By invitation ONLY Moderators: Parmendra Sharma and JJ Su, Griffith Ranadi, K: Should the PICs seek to enhance and formalise financial integration with

Australia? [RBF] Ofoi, M: Is it time to review monetary policy frameworks in the PICs? [BPNG] Schou-Zibell, L: Schou-Zibell: Unlocking the benefits of increased connectivity in the Pacific:

Opening the door to alternative finance and online banks [ADB] Stuart, A. and L. Hunter: Economic monitoring and capacity building: fishing revenues and

policy implications [IMF] 6:00pm Conference Dinner Keynote: Professor Tony Makin, Griffith University

Venue: Warwick Le Lagon