Languages: Filipino -
Main Dialects: Tagalog, Ilocano, Visiyan + Over a hundred other dialects
Population: 101 million
GDP: 188 billion
The Philippines, an archipelago lies between China and Indonesia. The Filipino economy is driven by its large service industry, as well as its main exports of semiconductors, electronics, and transport equipment. The APEC serves as a vital role in the country’s economy because its imports and exports to other APEC countries make up nearly three-quarters of its total trade. As a member of APEC, it is also a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Members of APEC question the Philippines trade policies as The Philippines has been ranked near the bottom in ease of doing business. As a result, the U.S. and Philippines’ Trade and Investment Framework Agreement was established to ease those policies.
(Phi366)
By Mark Lombawa
For recent economic information see;
UHERO APEC Project
http://www.uhero.hawaii.edu/74/apec-project
For flag, map, pictures and information see:
World Factbook, The
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/rp.html