Speaker: Ethisham Ahmad

Date: 27 June 2023

Time: 4:00 PM 

Venue: Judith R. Duavit-Vasquez & Class of 1984 Lecture Room 

Other Details: None

Abstract: 

The Pandemic has underlined the importance of uncertainty in modeling and policy design, which also applies to the increasing frequency and intensity of climate shocks. Policies based on static market-clearing models, popular in the BWIs, need to be reconsidered, especially considering informality, and rent-seeking, which are common in many emerging market economies. Digital transformation, including blockchain and big data, also changes the possibilities relating to policies as well as institutional design. Based on policy-based research leading to comprehensive fiscal reform in Mexico in 2013/14, and to the Chinese 14th Five-Year Plan, the Seminar will address lessons for fiscal policy choices for Sustainable Development in a range of emerging market countries. Of particular interest is the role of information generation through a reformed VAT that also affects the design of SEZs and the ability to benefit from BEPS, and addresses rent-seeking.  A beneficial property tax, described in the recent book with Giorgio Brosio (Turin) (Beneficial Property Taxation for Developing Countries, Palgrave-Macmillan, 2022), could transform the incentives and effectiveness of local governments in meeting the SDGs and form the basis for sustainable “hubs” for a more equitable distribution of employment opportunities.