Philippines
Trade Policy Review: The Philippines 2012
“Trade Policy Reviews” analyse the trade policies and practices of each member of the WTO. The reviews consist of three parts: an independent report by the WTO Secretariat a report by the government and the concluding remarks by the Chair of the WTO’s Trade Policy Review Body. The opening section - “key trade facts” - provides a visual overview of the WTO member’s major exports/imports main export destinations origins for its imports and other key data. This edition looks into the trade practices of The Philippines.
Trade Policy Review: Philippines 2018
“Trade Policy Reviews” analyse the trade policies and practices of each member of the WTO. The reviews consist of three parts: an independent report by the WTO Secretariat a report by the government and the concluding remarks by the Chair of the WTO’s Trade Policy Review Body. The opening section - “key trade facts” - provides a visual overview of the WTO member’s major exports/imports main export destinations origins for its imports and other key data. This edition looks into the trade practices of Philippines.
Concluding Remarks by the Chairperson of the Trade Policy Review Body, H.E. Mr. Manuel A.J. Teehankee of the Philippines at the Trade Policy Review of Canada, 12 and 14 June 2019
This eleventh Trade Policy Review of Canada has indeed allowed us to understand the important developments in the economic trade and investment regime of Canada over the last four years. I would like to thank the Canadian delegation headed by Ms. Kendal Hembroff Director General Trade Negotiations Global Affairs Canada for their very active participation and engagement in this exercise. I would also like to thank our discussant Ambassador Juan Carlos Gonzalez Permanent Representative of Colombia to the WTO for his remarks and insightful words that have propelled these discussions as well as the 53 delegations which took the floor during this meeting.
Preface
The Trade Policy Review Mechanism (TPRM) was first established on a trial basis by the GATT CONTRACTING PARTIES in April 1989. The Mechanism became a permanent feature of the World Trade Organization under the Marrakesh Agreement which established the WTO in January 1995.
Report by the Philippines
Despite the crisis however the Philippine economy sizzled to its highest annual GDP growth in the post Marcos era of 7.3% in 2010. GDP growth rate increased from 5.0% in 2005 up to 7.1% in 2007. Thereafter it declined to 3.7% in 2008 with the advent of the global financial crisis and recorded its lowest level at 1.1% in 2009. Behaving similarly GNP accelerated to a 7.2% growth in 2010. GNP increases ranged from 5.4% in 2005 up to 7.5% in 2007 declining to 6.4% in 2008 and also recording its lowest level at 4.0% in 2009.
Concluding Remarks by the Chairperson of the Trade Policy Review Body, H.E. Mr. Manuel A.J. Teehankee of the Philippines at the Trade Policy Review of Trinidad and Tobago, 22 and 24 May 2019
The fourth Trade Policy Review of Trinidad and Tobago has indeed offered us a better understanding of trade and economic developments in the country over the past seven years. I would like to thank the Trinidad and Tobago delegation led by H.E. Senator Paula Gopee-Scoon Minister of Trade and Industry for her constructive engagement throughout this Review. I would also like to thank the discussant H.E. Ambassador Michael Gaffey of Ireland for his insightful remarks and all the delegations that took the floor for their valuable contributions. The more than 200 questions submitted by 15 Members and the interventions by 23 delegations underline the importance attached by WTO Members to Trinidad and Tobago’s trade and investment policies and practices.
Report by the WTO Secretariat
The Philippines economy has performed well since its third TPR in 2005 based on a relatively open trade regime. Nonetheless the economy is operating below potential due to the slow pace of reform while some of the key constraints on overall growth remain (e.g. inadequate infrastructure low investment and governance issues). Improved productivity is essential for the Philippines to compete with low-cost neighbouring economies and additional steps are needed to promote more competition improve human capital eliminate limitations on foreign investment reduce incentives and reform state-owned institutions. It is also hoped that the Government’s recently launched public-private partnerships initiative will encourage investment in major infrastructure projects.
Concluding Remarks by the Chairperson of the Trade Policy Review Body, H.E. Mr. Manuel A.J. Teehankee of the Philippines at the Trade Policy Review of Samoa, 10 and 12 April 2019
This third joint Review of East African Community (EAC) Member countries has provided us with a good opportunity to assess the developments in their trade policies and practices in the context of their regional integration initiatives since their previous joint Review in 2012. We now have a better understanding of their trade regimes and the challenges they are facing.