Foreign Economist Paredes to Be New Chief of NBS Economic and Monetary Analyses

Bratislava, 4 November (TASR) - Joan Paredes, an economist with more than 20 years of experience at the European Central Bank (ECB) in the areas of macroeconomic analyses and forecasting will be the new director of the Economic and Monetary Analysis Department in Slovakia's central bank (NBS), the central bank has informed TASR. His arrival is the result of almost a year-long international selection procedure, conducted with the help of a headhunting agency. "Our choice underlines our ongoing commitment to build a modern central bank open outwards, in which analytical excellence is the core of our work. Joan is an outstanding economist with an extensive international network of collaborators and a true team player, whose skills will be a good complement to the already strong team he is coming to lead," stated NBS chief economist Michal Horvath. "I am looking forward to new challenges in a new country and to working in an established institution such as the NBS. I believe that together we will strengthen analytics and forecasting and contribute to as good as possible decisions for Slovakia," said Paredes. According to the NBS, hiring experts from abroad brings broader experience, faster transfer of know-how and more meetings in English. "This diversity increases the quality of analyses and strengthens the NBS's connection to the European and global professional community," added the central bank. ko