BSP Research Academy to launch monetary policy and finance journal

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Research Academy is set to launch the “Journal of Monetary Policy and Finance” this year.

“This is a peer-reviewed journal series that will feature outstanding research studies on relevant topics on central banking, monetary policymaking, and finance. It is targeted to be at par with leading international peer-reviewed journals,” according to BSP Governor Benjamin E. Diokno.

The launch of the journal is part of the BSP’s efforts to strengthen its research capacity and enhance its collaborative research engagements. Since the founding of the academy in January 2021, the BSP has executed six Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with partner research organizations and universities.

The BSP signed its recent MOUs with the University of the Philippines (UP) Los Baños and the Ateneo de Manila University. The BSP also has existing research partnerships with the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC), UP School of Economics – Philippine Center for Economic Development, and the Philippine Institute for Development Studies.

These MOUs cover joint research projects and undertakings between BSP and researchers from partner academic and research institutions.

The BSP also has an MOU on educational exchange and training opportunities with the Philippine-American Educational Foundation – Fulbright.

This year, the BSP Research Academy will work with the ACPC to develop a credit scoring model and database for farmer and fisherfolk borrowers.

“This initiative is expected to reduce transaction costs, thereby encouraging increased investment in agricultural loans and providing more opportunities for farmers and fishers to access credit,” explained the Governor.

The academy will also finalize the implementing guidelines for the “Doctoral Internship Program,” which will be offered to Filipino students enrolled in PhD programs in economics, finance, statistics, and related fields in the Philippines, and develop a research grant called the “Central Banking Research Award.”

Aside from publishing a new set of discussion papers and research notes throughout the year, the academy will also organize the “2^nd BSP International Research Fair” and the “2^nd BSP Research Community-In-Action” initiative this year.

“Moving forward, the BSP will continue to forge strategic partnerships with academic and research institutions based on the potential mutual benefit of enriching research expertise and producing research that can serve as input to policymaking,” said Governor Diokno.