This paper assesses one of the pillars of the "Big Push" for micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) development of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI): the shared service facility (SSF). Implemented in 2013, SSF seeks to address the gaps and bottlenecks in the value chain of priority...

After numerous attempts over more than a decade, the Philippine government finally enacted a comprehensive competition law, the Philippine Competition Act (Republic Act 10667) in July 2015. Before this breakthrough legislation, competition policy and law was scattered in about 30 different laws...

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has been working toward the free movement of goods in the region. Although significant progress has been made in the opening up of markets through tariff elimination, addressing the issues on nontariff measures (NTMs) remain. With the reduction...

The Philippines demonstrated significant economic growth - and is still gaining momentum - in recent years. This was after being tagged as the 'sick man of Asia' for showing slow growth while its Asian neighbors flourished. To sustain the current growth momentum and make it inclusive,...

Small and medium enterprise (SME) development as a major domestic policy objective that is consistent and reinforced within APEC would not only engender inclusive growth but also enable SMEs to become drivers of growth for the domestic, as well as the regional economy. This paper provides a...

The study takes off from an earlier inquiry on the effects of HCV (home consumption value) valuation. This study is intended to assist policymakers as well as the private sector in their task of deciding whether to implement or postpone the adoption of the GATT Valuation Code (GVC) by January 1,...

Significant trade and industrial reforms have been instituted for more than a decade now. While the economy has been growing by more than 6%, there are recent indicators that cast doubts over the optimism on the reforms. In light of the recent developments, this paper discusses the impact of...

The use of English language for cross-border communications is important in many areas of trade ranging from tourism to the trade in financial services. This is in order to build a stronger regional economy through freely and openly communicating with one another. However, the increasing...

With rising globalization and advances in technology, the interrelationship between trade and the environment has increasingly become a pressing issue across the globe. This paper seeks to contribute to the discussion, mainly by looking at some theoretical underpinnings, learning from some...

Recognition of the adverse effects of protectionist policies has lead to the Philippine government to undertake major trade reforms in the 1980s and 1990s having efficiency and competitiveness as objectives. This study analyzes the impact of Philippine trade and investment policies on economic...