International comparisons of prices, real income, output and productivity have attracted considerable interest over the last two decades. Much of the research in this area was initiated through the International Comparisons Project (ICP), with funds from the World Bank. Currently, the Project is continuing its work under other governmental auspices, notably, the statistical offices of the United Nations and the European Economic Community. Its output is being used by a growing number of researchers as well as decision-makers, but general understanding of the concepts and processes involved in producing these international indicators of economic performance remains modest. The present proposal seeks support for conference on international economic comparisons to be held in the fall of 1992. The meeting will take place at the Center for Economic Research of Florida International University in Miami, Florida. Its purpose is to elucidate recent methodological trends in the area of quantitative economic comparisons across countries and to expand the interaction of academic researchers with governmental as well as non-governmental specialists. Papers will be presented under six broad topics: economic theoretic approaches to international comparisons, aggregation methods, consistent temporal spatial comparisons, sectoral productivity comparisons, regional comparisons, and applications and policy issues. The distinguished group of participants in the proposed conference can be expected to contribute new insights and new momentum to an important area in international economics. Their discussions also promise to enhance general understanding of the current "state of the art".
