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Event

The state strikes back

COVID-19 has caused a resurgence of the role of the state. What role should state owned firms and banks play and how can their management be improved?

Visual showing a lone glove on a bench

Speakers

Beata Javorcik

Member of the Scientific Council

Chief Economist, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development

video & audio recordings


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The economic fallout of the COVID-19 crisis has increased state interventions in the economy. This event will discuss the role of the state across Europe, comparing the experiences of the Neighborhood with countries in the rest of Europe.

In the three decades following the end of communism in Eastern Europe, conventional economic thinking and policy making were dominated by a focus on a small role of the state, privatisation and deregulation. However, the global financial crisis in 2008, as well as lacklustre growth and rising inequality afterwards, have led to increasing support for state intervention in the economy. This trend has been accelerated by the ongoing Covid-19 crisis, which necessitated massive interventions to support the economy and prevent economic and social meltdowns. The crisis also highlighted great expectations of citizens when it comes to the ability of the state to reduce health and economic risks faced by individuals.

At this event we featured a presentation of the which examines the size and the role of the state across the EBRD regions, the bright and sometimes dark side of state-owned enterprises and state banks in the modern economy, as well as the role of the state in supporting the green economy transition.