For economists, central bankers, and those in international organizations, research institutes, and universities, Liebscher et al. (all associated with Oesterreichische Nationalbank, Austria)
compile 21 articles from the Conference on European Economic Integration 2007, held in November of that year in Vienna, Austria, that examine the role of exchange rates in reinforcing economic
competitiveness. Written by economists, bankers, and academics from Europe and the US, articles focus on Central, Eastern, and South-Eastern Europe (CESEE) and explore the links between the
external value of currencies and structural developments in the economy and the integration process in CESEE. They consider issues such as global imbalances; international currency competition;
the role, objectives, and challenges of regional monetary unions; the competitiveness of catching-up countries; related challenges for monetary policy; and other factors such as unit labor
costs, sectoral and regional trade structures, quality, and technological upgrading of production and location factors. Three chapters look specifically at policy challenges in Cyprus, Malta,
and Slovakia. Annotation ©2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
