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Boosting Philippine Services Trade and Tourism under the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership


The Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) held a public webinar on April 27, 2023, from 2:00 to 4:30 pm, via Zoom.

This virtual event featured two PIDS studies on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

The first study titled Opportunities for the Philippines under RCEP: Trade in Services investigated how the RCEP can deepen the contributions of trade in services to the Philippine economy through the commitments made and limitations imposed. Authored by PIDS consultants Dr. John Paolo R. Rivera and Dr. Tereso S. Tullao Jr., it reviewed and assessed the specific commitments of the free trade partners joining the RCEP, particularly on market access and national treatment. The study compared these commitments, evaluated their relevance to the needs of the Philippines, and determined the benefits that the Philippines can reap from RCEP.

The second study titled Analysis of the Readiness of the Philippine Tourism Enterprises for Trade Liberalization in Asia-Pacific examined the readiness of tourism enterprises for liberalization under the RCEP and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), given their opportunities and threats to the tourism industry. Authored by PIDS consultants Ms. Eylla Laire M. Gutierrez, Dr. Marie Jel D. Bautista, and Dr. John Paolo R. Rivera, it answered the research problem: How can tourism enterprises prepare themselves for the impacts of trade liberalization brought about by RCEP and CPTPP? The findings revealed a unanimous hesitation among tourism stakeholders to participate in RCEP and CPTPP, given questions on the global readiness of the tourism industry. Tourism stakeholders are also challenged by issues on mutual recognition and standardization of skills and capacity development.

An e-copy of the studies may be downloaded from the following links:

Opportunities for the Philippines under RCEP: Trade in Services

Analysis of the Readiness of Philippine Tourism Enterprises for Trade Liberalization in Asia-Pacific

 

DOWNLOAD PRESENTATIONS:

Presentation of Dr. Tereso Tullao Jr., University Fellow and Professor Emeritus, De La Salle University-Manila

Presentation of Dr. Marie Jel D. Bautista, Assistant Professor, Central Luzon State University

Presentation of Prof. Maria Cherry Lyn Salazar-Rodolfo, Lead Convenor, Safe Travel Alliance