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...

Using the principle of subsidiary and the general rule of optimal intervention, this paper reviews the current discussion in the WTO on resolving the issues of environment-related trade and trade-related environmental measures with the rules of the multilateral trading system. Economic growth,...

From 1980-1994, the Philippine economy has been generally unstable. This paper provides measures by which the Philippine government can promote private investment in the light of its move towards market economy. Recommendations include prioritizing domestic resource mobilization and flexibility...

Reduction in tariff rates has been one of the major developments in international trade. With the forged commitments in Uruguay Round and unilateral trade liberalization/tariff reduction programs under regional trading arrangements, further tariff reduction is expected. Despite the reforms and...

Despite commitments to the WTO and the AFTA, many agricultural commodities continue to enjoy protection in the form of tariffs and quotas. Still, the sector has performed dismally relative to other countries. Using tariffs alone, corn producers possess comparative advantage under the 5 percent...

Recently, one of the most highly controversial reforms implemented in the Philippines is the trade reform program. It includes tarrification of quantitative restrictions, the simplification of tariff rates structure and the reduction in the tariff protection. This paper discusses the effects of...

To shed light on the difficulties in discussing the issue of protectionism, this study analyzes the overall impact of non-tariff measures (NTM) to the Philippine exports. It also attempts to make an inventory of NTM imposed by United States, Japan and European countries, affecting most, if not...

Part One of the Osaka Action Agenda has clarified the implications of the basic political commitment to free and open trade and investment in the Bogor Declaration and has set out operational guiding principles and a well-developed strategy of implementation. This paper seeks to build on the...

The Philippines does not have a comparative advantage in the domestic production of fertilizer. This is one of the thoughts conveyed by the article as it analyzes the government policies affecting fertilizer prices during the post-war period, with a focus on the policies after 1973. In addition,...

One of the recent European developments is the plan of creating a single market implying the removal of obstacles to trade in goods, services, capital and labor. Hence, it is worthwhile to examine the impact of such move to a small country like the Philippines, the growth of which depends...