Exploring the Philippine FTA Policy Options

The formation of free trade agreements (FTAs), both regional and bilateral, has been a worldwide trend in recent decades. With the failure of the two rounds of the World Trade Organization (WTO), the FTAs as a policy option have become even more attractive for many countries. The Philippines is no exception. Thus, engagement in FTAs is becoming a significant trade policy tool for the country. To derive the optimum benefits from it, though, the Philippines must define its FTA strategy. This Policy Notes outlines the possible key ingredients for such strategy.trade liberalization, East Asia FTA, Asian liberalization, free trade agreement (FTA), economic partnership agreement, regional trade agreement

English as the Language of Trade, Finance, and Technology in APEC: an East Asia Perspective

The use of English language for cross-border communications is important in many areas of trade ranging from tourism to trade in financial services. English will increase the capacity of people to communicate and exchange ideas and goods across borders. However, the increasing involvement in trade, tourism, and international relations among APEC member countries where English is not spoken as the first language poses some problems and barriers in achieving aspired regional cooperation. Efforts have been made by governments to encourage the internalization of English as a second language. This article documents ongoing efforts to adopt English as the official language of trade, finance, and technology in APEC member countries and to improve English fluency in selected East Asian countries. It is an interesting case study on the adoption of a common technology (i.e., English as the medium of communication) as an explicit policy to enhance both global integration and country competitiveness.capacity building, English language, language barrier, language skill, language education, English economy, trade language

What's Happening in the Philippine Free Trade Agreements?

What are the latest developments affecting the Philippines' involvement in free trade agreements (FTAs)? What is the Philippine FTA policy? And what principles should said policy consider? Medalla and Lazaro review the regional and global scenarios as they recommend the elements that should constitute the government's FTA policy.trade liberalization, East Asia FTA, free trade agreement (FTA), regional trade agreement

English as the Language of Trade, Finance, and Technology in APEC: an East Asia Perspective

The use of English language for cross-border communications is important in many areas of trade ranging from tourism to trade in financial services. English will increase the capacity of people to communicate and exchange ideas and goods across borders. However, the increasing involvement in trade, tourism, and international relations among APEC member countries where English is not spoken as the first language poses some problems and barriers in achieving aspired regional cooperation. Efforts have been made by governments to encourage the internalization of English as a second language. This article documents ongoing efforts to adopt English as the official language of trade, finance, and technology in APEC member countries and to improve English fluency in selected East Asian countries. It is an interesting case study on the adoption of a common technology (i.e., English as the medium of communication) as an explicit policy to enhance both global integration and country competitiveness.capacity building, English language, language barrier, language skill, language education, English economy, trade language

Management system requirements for wireless systems beyond 3G

This paper presents a comprehensive description of various management system requirements for systems beyond 3G, which have been identified as a result of the Software Based Systems activities within the Mobile VCE Core 2 program. Specific requirements for systems beyond 3G are discussed and potential technologies to address them proposed. The analysis has been carried out from network, service and security viewpoints

Superparamagnetic particles in ZSM-5-type ferrisilicates

As-synthesized, low iron content, ferrisilicates of ZSM-5-type contain well-separated Fe(III) ions in a tetrahedral environment and display paramagnetic behavior. After hydrothermal treatment, the iron ions are partially extracted from the framework, generating nanosize iron oxide or oxyhydroxide ferrimagnetic particles. This process has been studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Mossbauer spectroscopy, magnetic ac susceptibility (chi(ac)), and field dependent magnetization, on samples containing up to 6.7 wt. % Fe. The experiments evidence the growth of nonaggregated particles, with a typical size around 3 nm, presumably located at the surface of the ferrisilicate crystallites, From a thorough granulometric analysis involving TEM and chi(ac) data, it is concluded that, in the range from 1.5 to 4.6 wt. % Fe, the particle size distributions are significantly independent of the iron content

Major Investor Losses Due to Conflicted Advice: Brokerage Industry Advertising Creates the Illusion of a Fiduciary Duty

(Excerpt) No national standard exists today requiring brokerage firms to put their clients’ interests first by avoiding making profits from conflicted advice. In the five years since the passage of the Dodd Frank Act, inaction by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on a fiduciary standard has cost American investors nearly $80 billion, based on estimated losses of$17 billion per year. Amid encouraging recent signs of possible action from the Department of Labor and the SEC, there is a compelling case to be made for a ban on conflicted advice in order to protect investors. In the absence of such a standard, brokerage firms now engage in advertising that is clearly calculated to leave the false impression with investors that stockbrokers take the same fiduciary care as a doctor or a lawyer. But, while brokerage firms advertise as though they are trusted guardians of their clients’ best interests, they arbitrate any resulting disputes as though they are used car salesmen. A review by the Public Investors Arbitration Bar Association (PIABA) of the advertising and arbitration stances of nine major brokerage firms – Merrill Lynch, Fidelity Investments, Ameriprise, Wells Fargo, Morgan Stanley, Allstate Financial, UBS, Berthel Fisher, and Charles Schwab – finds that all nine advertise in a fashion that is designed to lull investors into the belief that they are being offered the services of a fiduciary. For example, Merrill Lynch advertises as follows: “It’s time for a financial strategy that puts your needs and priorities front and center.” Fidelity Investments appeals to investors with these words: “Acting in good faith and taking pride in getting things just right. The personal commitment each of us makes to go the extra mile for our customers and put their interests before our own is a big part of what has always made Fidelity a special place to work and do business.” Nonetheless, all nine brokerage firms using the fiduciary-like appeals in their ads eschew any such responsibility when it comes to battling investor claims in arbitration. Adding to the confusion is the fact that five of the eight brokerage firms – Ameriprise, Merrill Lynch, Fidelity, Wells Fargo, and Charles Schwab – have publicly stated that they support a fiduciary standard. But these firms are every bit as vociferous as the other four brokerages in denying that they have any fiduciary obligation when push comes to shove in an arbitration case filed by investors who have lost some or all of their nest egg due to conflicted advice. In this atmosphere of misleading advertising and a complete disavowal by brokerage firms of the same ad claims in arbitration, investor losses will continue to mount at the rate of nearly $20 billion per year until the SEC and DOL prescribe the long-overdue remedy: a “fiduciary duty” standard banning conflicted advice