Purpose

The conference will examine recent performance of the Philippines services sector and its prospects for further lifting economic growth and employment generation in the Philippines. Policy reforms will also be suggested to accelerate this growth momentum. The conference will also discuss three key sectors: business processing outsourcing, retail sector and tourism.

Objectives

To disseminate knowledge on growth prospects of the Philippines services sector.

Expected Outputs

A policy briefing note on suggestions for accelerating growth in services.

Target Participants

Participants include:

• Officials from the national government agencies
• Private sector organizations such as chambers of commerce, business organizations, think tanks and the academe

Resource Speakers

• Keynote Speaker: Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo
• Opening Remarks: Shigeko Hattori, Director

Conference paper presenters:

• Kelly Bird, Principal Economist, ADB
• Malcolm Bosworth, Australian National University
• Sani Ismail, Financial Sector Specialist, ADB
• Zeno Ronald Abenoja, BSP
• Raja Mitra, ADB Consultant
• Ludwig Reider, ADB Consultant
• Lourdes Lopez, Professorial Lecturer, UP Diliman