The final issue of the Development Research News in 2017 zeroes in on the regulation of the digital economy in the Philippines. Specifically, its banner article highlights two related events spearheaded by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) to discuss the benefits and challenges of the digital technology and the relevance of regulation to unlock its potential in advancing public welfare in the country. The issue also covers relevant concerns affecting trade within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, such as the slow pace of its negotiation process on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and the rise of populism in the region. It also includes two articles urging the Philippine government to address the poor innovation performance in the country, especially in the business process outsourcing industry. Completing this issue is an article on the opening of another PIDS Corner in the Bicol region.
