MANAGUA NOMINEE: SPRING 2006 FSN ECONOMIC TRAINING

UNCLAS MANAGUA 000131

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

FSI ECONOMICS DIVISION DIRECTOR LISA FOX, DEPUTY DIRECTOR
ED SAGURTON, ANDREA CLIPPER

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON AMGT AFSI AFSN ETRD NU
SUBJECT: MANAGUA NOMINEE: SPRING 2006 FSN ECONOMIC TRAINING

REF: STATE 01355


1. In response to reftel, Post nominates Economic Specialist
Jadia Y. Lopez for participation in PE 220 FSN Economic
Training and PE 222 Trade Agreement Monitoring and
Implementation. Information on the nominee is keyed to reftel
paragraph 8.


A. Jadia Y. Lopez, FSN grade 10

B. DOB: February 10, 1979

C. Nationality: Nicaraguan

D. Passport Number: COP47736

E. Agency: State, US Embassy Managua

F. Position Title: Economic Specialist

G. American Supervisor's name and email address: Mark W.
Cullinane, cullinanemw@state.gov

H. FSN's education, experience and current responsibilities:

a. Education: (MBA) INCAE Business School, Managua;
(Engineering Degree) Universidad America, Managua

b. Job experience: Ms. Lopez has worked with the World
Bank and contributed to the evaluation of CAFTA-DR impact in
Nicaragua by analyzing statistical data. As a consultant for
the Interamerican Institute for Cooperation in Agriculture,
she developed economic models related to budget and strategic
planning that are currently being applied within the
Nicaraguan government. She was also responsible for
analyzing Nicaragua's macroeconomic performance, as well as
data on agricultural production and consumption. She also
analyzed the economic performance data of other Latin
American countries.

c. Current Responsibilities: Ms. Lopez supports the Economic Section primarily by researching and analyzing the impact of proposed legislation and laws on trade, investment, fiscal stability and macroeconomic performance. She reviews and presents economic performance data, and makes recommendations regularly on economic policies or commercial issues requiring Embassy attention. In fulfillment of these responsibilities, Ms. Lopez maintains excellent contact with technical and policy analysts throughout the GON, as well as business association and industry representatives. I. Description of how the course would enhance nominee's productivity at post: PE220 Economic Training: Ms. Lopez's core job responsibilities include economic data analysis and consultations on macroeconomic, fiscal and trade policy. Understanding the World Bank and IMF policy reform approaches is very important, especially in a country in which the fiscal, monetary and macroeconomic policy is closely tied to these international financial institutions. Further, a proper understanding of trade, exchange rate, monetary and fiscal policy would enhance Ms. Lopez' capacity to propose strategies for economic growth. Finally, Ms. Lopez' reporting skills would be enhanced by an explanation of the preferences of her Washington audience. PE222 Trade Agreement Monitoring and Implementation: the trade course would provide especially timely information to Ms. Lopez, as Nicaraguan is weeks away from entry into force of CAFTA-DR. Consequently, training in obligations on customs, trade quotas, standards, IPR and procurement would be put to immediate use. This training would also form a helpful backdrop for analysis of Nicaragua's participation in the Central American Customs Union and its WTO obligations.


J. Suggestion for course content (weighted by module):
a. Drafting skills - 5%
b. Interview skills - 5%
c. Briefing skills - 5%
d. Economic data analysis skills - 20%
e. Consultations with policy officials and end-users of post reporting - 10%
f. What Washington wants - 15%
g. Debates on World Bank and IMF Policy - 10%
h. Banking and financial market reforms - 10%
i. Trade and exchange rate regime reforms - 10%
j. Analysis of monetary and fiscal policy - 10%

TRIVELLI