The Philippines has been more cautious in its policy towards free trade agreements (FTAs) than other ASEAN member states, having signed, so far, only one bilateral agreement with Japan in addition to the various ASEAN+1 agreements. While the Government is expected to progressively reduce...

The National ICT Household Survey (NICTHS), conducted by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) in partnership with the Philippine Statistical Research and Training Institute (PSRTI), is the first-ever household survey in the country focusing on ICT. The NICTHS is one...

This paper investigates firm-to-firm technology and knowledge sharing in firms from the food manufacturing sector. Traditionally driven by secret recipes and family-grounded procedures, food processing firms are naturally unwilling and indisposed to embrace collaborative undertaking and develop...

It is widely acknowledged that technological innovations that can come from research and development (R and D) are crucial to industry competitiveness and sustained economic growth. Although R and D remains to be the central focus of policymaking and research, not all firms can afford and do R...

MSMEs find it challenging to undertake innovation activities given their limited resources and capabilities. Studies on innovation in MSMEs have identified internal and external factors that affect innovation capabilities and activities, one of which is government support. Incentives such as tax...

Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) are known to enhance trade through reduction or elimination of barriers, such as tariffs on imported goods. The difference between the preferential tariff rate under an FTA and the most-favored-nation (MFN) rate can be significant enough to encourage trade under an...

This study presents the indications of the presence of a digital divide in Asia through indicators for the region and selected Asian countries. The digital divide can be seen as a determinant for the use of digital platforms as material access and skills access affect how digital platforms will...

Trade is an important component of the Philippine economy. Contemporary trade is shaped primarily by the evolution of Global Value Chains (GVCs), and this has a significant implication in integrating developing countries, such as the Philippines, into the global economy. An economy's inclusion...

In November 2015, the ASEAN Community composed of three (3) pillars: the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC), and the ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) was established as a response by the ASEAN Member states to the need to develop a Post-2015 Vision...

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, transforming...