The paper aims to review our trade liberalization policy and its contribution to the country`s industrial growth and performance. After more than twenty years of liberalization, the overall performance of the manufacturing industry has been weak, growth has been slow, and contribution to value...

The paper aims to examine how trade liberalization affects wage premium at the firm level. Using effective protection rate as trade proxy, the paper assumes that in the face of increasing competition, an import-substituting firm may decide to remain at the low value-added stage of the production...

Firm entry and exit play a crucial role in spurring a reallocation of resources across firms as tariffs are reduced. In the light of the substantial trade reforms implemented in the Philippines over the last two decades, the paper examines the impact of trade reforms on the exit of domestic...

This study analyzes the effects of the trade policy reform on the structure, performance and competitiveness of the appliance industry. It also examines the links between changes in the industry structure with changes in the performance and competitiveness of the industry. In particular, it...

Even with lapses in its implementation during the 1980s, trade reform has been continuously brought to the fore of structural adjustment program. It has become increasingly crucial during the 1990s not only because of the backlash of import-substitution but also of the country’s heavy foreign...

Economic openness has been generally viewed as beneficial whether in terms of welfare or efficiency gains. While literature has incorporated that trade liberalization causes productivity growth, market structure has taken a prominent role in the analysis recently. This paper determines how it...

This study aims to evaluate the effects of the Trade Reform Program on the performance and competitiveness of the Philippine agricultural machinery industry. It also attempts to identify non-price factors that may impinge on the industry’s competitiveness and efficiency. Findings have revealed...

It has been argued that high protection rate retards productivity and efficiency. In view of the widespread belief, the government has instituted trade policy reforms aimed to increase efficiency and competitiveness of industries through elimination of distortions in resource allocation. While...

To stimulate industrial efficiency and achieve competitiveness in domestic and external markets, the government has instituted Tariff Reform Program and the Import Liberalization Program. This study evaluates the performance and competitiveness of the resin and plastic industries in conjunction...

Recognizing the importance of an outward-oriented policy approach, countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines have liberalized their regulation on foreign direst investment by introducing various guarantees and incentives. The Philippines, however, lagged behind its...