We are excited to announce a special keynote speaker for the upcoming Koc University-Hoover Institution Conference on Challenges of Middle-Income Economies, which will take place on October 26, 2023 at Founders’ Hall.
Do not miss the opportunity to hear from Aslı Demirgüç-Kunt and gain valuable insights into the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on firms and the role of competition in their recovery.
This keynote lecture is open to all members of our university community, including faculty and students. We look forward to your participation.

Date: Thursday, October 26th, 2023

Time: 09:00 – 09:45

Venue: Founders’ Hall

Speakers: Aslı Demirgüç-Kunt, Non-Resident Fellow at the Center for Global Development

Title: Competition and Firm Recovery Post-COVID-19

Abstract:  This insightful presentation will focus on the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on firms and the role of competition in their recovery.
Drawing on survey data for about 8,000 firms in 23 emerging and developing countries in Europe and Central Asia, this presentation will show that during the COVID-19 crisis, economic activity was reallocated toward firms with higher pre-crisis labor productivity.

Speaker Bio: Aslı Demirgüç-Kunt is a Non-Resident Fellow at the Center for Global Development. Prior to joining the Center, she was the Chief Economist of the Europe and Central Asia Region of the World Bank. With a 33-year career at the World Bank, she has held various key positions and conducted extensive research on financial and private sector development. Her work has been widely recognized and cited worldwide.