What does Washington’s economy look like as we head into 2010 with hopes for business improvement, recovery and growth?
Washington’s chief economist, Arun Raha, will outline the possibilities as keynote speaker for The Columbian’s 2010 Economic Forecast Breakfast Jan. 22. The breakfast is co-sponsored by Clark County businesses First Independent Bank, The Management Group and MacKay & Sposito.
The annual event at the Hilton Vancouver Washington will feature Raha and a select group of local economic experts representing industries such as high-tech, banking, real estate and health care.
As executive director of the state’s Economic and Revenue Forecast Council, Raha is responsible for forecasting Washington’s general fund revenues and economy. He also advises the governor, state legislative committees and other government agencies regarding economic and revenue activity in the state. He will share his outlook for Washington’s economy heading into the new year.
o What: The Columbian 2010 Economic Forecast Breakfast with featured speaker Arun Raha, Washington’s chief economist.
o When: 7 a.m. Jan. 22.
o Where: Hilton Vancouver Washington.
o Information: Reservations are available through the Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce at 360-694-2588 or www.vancouverusa.com.
Raha holds a doctorate in economics from Washington State University and a master’s from the Delhi School of Economics in Delhi, India. He has formerly served as a vice-president for economic research at Swiss Re, a global reinsurer, headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, and has been manager of economic analysis at Eaton Corp., a global, diversified industrial manufacturer based in Cleveland.
Raha has won two national forecasting awards: the 2007 Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago’s top overall forecast prize, and the Wall Street Journal’s January 2005 forecasting award. Raha has served on the Ohio Governor’s Council of Economic Advisors, and is a former member of the Board of the Automotive Market Research Council.
The breakfast begins at 7 a.m., with the keynote speech to be followed by breakout sessions featuring The Columbian’s forecast panelists.
Previous keynoters have included nationally syndicated columnist Michelle Singletary; Ernie Ankrim, chief financial strategist with the Russell Group; Portland economist John Mitchell; and Jon Clemens, research executive with Sharp Corp.
Reservations are available through the Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce.
