I. Introduction The auto sector is macro-critical in a number of European countries . It comprises a large share of manufacturing, employment, and exports. For instance, in Germany—the largest auto producer in Europe—the sector constitutes about 20 percent of manufacturing, 12 percent of employment, and 10 percent of goods exports ( Figure 1 ). In some countries in Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe (CESEE), such as the Slovak Republic, it has an even larger footprint. The European auto industry is among the world’s biggest motor vehicle producers
The Slovak Auto Sector During the Pandemic and Beyond: Model Based Evidence 1 The Slovak auto industry is deeply integrated in regional and global value chains. While this has brought tremendous benefits, it has also made the sector susceptible to foreign shocks as exemplified by the disruptions it experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Going forward, the industry will need to adapt to mega trends such as potential reconfigurations of supply chains and changes in preferences and technology. This paper uses a general equilibrium global trade model to: (i
On August 2, 2013, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded the Article IV consultation with the Slovak Republic 1 and considered and endorsed the staff appraisal without a meeting on a lapse-of-time basis. 2 Following a sharp downturn in 2009 in the context of the global economic and financial crisis, Slovakia emerged as one of the fastest growing economies in the EU, supported in particular by substantial foreign investment in the auto sector and subsequent exports. Growth slowed to 2 percent in 2012 as the impact of