An investigation of the behavior and determinants of Philippine trade in services

• Main Author: Barns, Jeremy Robert.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2002
• Subjects: Determinants; Service industries; Philippines > Commerce; Food Studies
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_masteral/2664
• Institution: De La Salle University

This study conducts a broad investigation of the behavior and determinants of Philippine trade in services, a trade which is increasing in significance, not only for the country but throughout the world. A review of the literature shows on the one hand the existence of a research gap due to the lack of such inquiry specific to the Philippines and on the other hand existing studies elsewhere that offer feasible approaches and interesting results. After outlining many constraints and limitations, mainly due to deficiencies in the services trade statistics, which prompt a broad rather than deep approach, an appropriately wide conceptual framework is adopted. A preliminary analysis of the Philippine services trade data from 1980 is then undertaken which highlights these data deficiencies, particularly the lack of detailed and useful disaggregation. The concept of expanded services is introduced to allow for the inclusion of Mode 4 services trade which is typically not reflected under the services balances. Whether the statistics adequately capture the trade in services is discussed.