We presented our paper "Searching for Trade: Evidence from AI-Firm Interactions" at the 5th TRISTAN Workshop held at the @unibayreuth.bsky.social. The paper examines how #AI can help reduce information frictions and influence firms' search behavior and export outcomes.

Does going digital make #InvestmentPromotion agencies more effective? In our new Inter-American Development Bank report with @mszta.bsky.social, we find that more digitalized agencies are significantly more effective at attracting first-time foreign investors: bit.ly/4uuKzRM #FDI #Digitalization

How can public agencies leverage digital technologies to better support firms in their internationalization efforts? In our new Inter-American Development Bank report with @mszta.bsky.social, we present new evidence from 50 #InvestmentPromotion agencies worldwide: bit.ly/4uuKzRM #FDI #Digitalization

On May 28-29, we held the 16th Annual Conference of LACEA’s Trade, Integration, and Growth Network (#TIGN) in Santiago, Chile. As one of #TIGN’s directors, it was a pleasure to welcome researchers and policymakers for two days of discussions on trade, integration, and growth.

How does trade policy affect local retail market power? On June 9, @dianavanpatten.bsky.social from @yale.edu will present new evidence from Costa Rica at the Inter-American Development Bank’s Trade Policy Research Seminar Series: bit.ly/4uf5gRo #Trade #Competition

Last week, we presented our paper “Searching for Trade” at the @cesifo.org Area Conference on the Global Economy in Munich. We thank the organizers for inviting us and the participants for their helpful comments and suggestions. #Trade #GlobalEconomy

The 16th #TIGN Annual Conference starts tomorrow in Santiago, Chile. Researchers and policymakers from around the world will gather at Universidad de los Andes to present and discuss innovative and policy-relevant studies on #trade, integration, and #growth. Agenda: bit.ly/4uzH7WE #FDI

Earlier this month, the 15th Washington Area International Trade Symposium (#WAITS) brought together leading researchers and practitioners to discuss policy-relevant research and exchange ideas on current challenges in international trade and investment. #Trade #TradePolicy

The 15th Washington Area International Trade Symposium (#WAITS) will take place on May 1 at the Inter-American Development Bank in Washington, DC. I am pleased to chair the keynote session, featuring Laura Alfaro, who will present on trade policy in supply chains. Join us: bit.ly/3P1Karc #Trade

On April 23, Lauren Falcao Bergquist from Yale University will present her paper "Quality Incentives and Upgrading along #SupplyChains: Experimental Evidence from Uganda" at the Inter-American Development Bank’s Trade Policy Research Seminar Series: bit.ly/4ctJ53b #Trade #Agriculture #Development

The World Trade Review turns 25. To mark the occasion, an anniversary conference will take place in Geneva on April 24. As part of the organizing committee, I invite you to join us to discuss how international #trade has evolved—and the challenges and opportunities ahead.

On March 19, @emilyjblanchard.bsky.social from Dartmouth College will present her paper “Justice for Sale: Explaining the Rise in Investor-State Dispute Settlement” at the Inter-American Development Bank’s Trade Policy Research Seminar Series. Register here: bit.ly/4700miv #FDI #ISDS

Final reminder: the call for papers for the 16th #TIGN Annual Conference closes tomorrow (Feb 28, 2026). 📍 Santiago, Chile | May 28–29, 2026 Submit your paper: bit.ly/4tpgWSH #Trade #FDI #Growth @emilyjblanchard.bsky.social @juancahallak.bsky.social

Reminder: the call for papers for the 16th #TIGN Annual Conference is still open. 📍 Santiago, Chile | May 28–29, 2026 🗓 Deadline: February 28, 2026 Submit your paper: bit.ly/4tpgWSH Details: bit.ly/4qayVJn #Trade #FDI #Growth @emilyjblanchard.bsky.social @juancahallak.bsky.social

On February 12, Diego Restuccia from bsky.app/profile/utoronto.ca will present his paper "On Productivity and Distortions across Countries" at the Inter-American Development Bank's Trade Policy Research Seminar Series. To participate online, please register at: bit.ly/46b5vnF. #Trade #Productivity

Call for papers is open. The 16th #TIGN Annual Conference will take place in Santiago, Chile | May 28–29, 2026. You can submit your paper here: bit.ly/4tpgWSH Submission deadline: Feb 28, 2026. Learn more: bit.ly/4qayVJn #Trade #FDI #Growth bsky.app/profile/emil... bsky.app/profile/juan...

Last week, I had the pleasure to participate in a session on export promotion with two great colleagues, @ericverhoogen.bsky.social and @emanuelornelas.bsky.social, who are conducting fascinating and policy-relevant research in this area.

Las week, I participated in a great workshop held at the OECD on the drivers and policy determinants of services trade and the importance of closing the data gap in this area for effective policy design and implementation. #ServicesTrade bsky.app/profile/oecd...

Last week, I presented the study we are conducting with Maggie Chen on the trade effects of AI-based firm matchmaking tools in digital platforms at the session "Smart Trade: The Development of Ada, ConnectAmericas' AI", that was held in the framework of #AIccelerator.

On November 20, @anamarias.bsky.social from @stlouisfed.bsky.social will present her paper "Cross-Border Patenting, Globalization, and Development" at the IDB's Trade Policy Research Seminar Series. To participate online, please register at: bit.ly/4reeKMI. @yotoyotov.bsky.social #Trade

In a paper published in the Journal of Development Economics, we show that investment promotion support significantly increases the probability of multinational firms establishing their first affiliate in a country. Read the paper: bit.ly/4hAWQiQ @jrcarballo.bsky.social @ignaciomarra.bsky.social

We are looking for a highly qualified PhD economist to join our team. The position offers an opportunity to perform research on productivity, trade, FDI, Innovation, tourism, and agriculture and inform policies in these areas. Apply until Oct 17: tinyurl.com/2srteufn

Last week, together with colleagues from the Inter-American Development Bank, the @wto.org and the World Bank, we presented the main findings of the joint upcoming report “Digital Trade in LAC: Connecting Markets, Powering Growth” at a meeting held at the WTO.

On August 21, Maggie Chen from George Washington University will present her paper "Automation without Borders: The Impacts of Generative #AI on International Service #Outsourcing" at the Inter-American Development Bank's Trade Policy Research Seminar Series. Register: bit.ly/4108Kvn #Trade

Can AI facilitate product classification in international trade? In a paper published in the Review of International Economics, we explore how LLMs can help automate classification of agricultural and food products using real-world text descriptions: bit.ly/4f0SRe6 @ignaciomarra.bsky.social

We are hiring remote consultants to support the IDB’s 2026 Flagship Report on Digitalization and AI. If you have experience in applied research and a strong quantitative background in related areas, apply by June 30: bit.ly/4kPEyLb #IDB #Digitalization #AI

Do multinationals go where skills are? Our new paper shows that English proficiency and digital skills increase a country’s appeal to foreign firms. Read the paper here: bit.ly/4dPe3TF @lassmann.bsky.social‬ #MNEs #FDI #Skills

On June 10, Roman David Zarate from World Bank will present his research on the gains from foreign multinationals in distorted economies at the Inter American Development Bank’s Trade Policy Research Seminar Series. Register here: bit.ly/45bEIYu #FDI #MNEs @imanelici.bsky.social‬

Last week, we held the Annual Conference of LACEA's Trade, Integration, and Growth Network (#TIGN) in Montevideo, Uruguay. In this conference, I had the pleasure to discuss with Juan Labraga and Nicole Perelmuter on trade policy and foreign direct investment in the framework of its policy panel.

STARTING SOON. Join us TODAY at the annual conference of the Trade, Integration, and Growth Network (#TIGN). Those in Montevideo, Uruguay, are invited to participate in person: bit.ly/4kap3NS @dennisnovy.bsky.social @juancahallak.bsky.social