Principal Economic Advisor at the Inter-American Development Bank | Affiliate @cesifo.org | All views here are mine. RTs do not imply endorsement.https://bsky.app/profile/christianvolpem.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/christianvolpem.bsky.social/post/3muwfndyyq22wTomorrow, we will present "Searching for Trade" (with Maggie Chen) at the Banque de France – OECD conference on new data and tools to track international trade. We examine how AI reshapes firms' search behavior and export outcomes. Registration and program here: bit.ly/4iO9YDw #Trade #AI07 Sep 2026 11:27 +0000at://did:plc:2cpblmggkyj736yvwhlsx75d/app.bsky.feed.post/3muwfndyyq22whttps://bsky.app/profile/christianvolpem.bsky.social/post/3mumcf3gm322xIs AI translating into productivity gains for firms? On September 10, @taniababina.bsky.social will present new evidence on how AI investment can build organization capital and boost productivity at IBD's Trade Policy Research Seminar Series: bit.ly/4hYxM7C #AI #Productivity #Firms03 Sep 2026 11:02 +0000at://did:plc:2cpblmggkyj736yvwhlsx75d/app.bsky.feed.post/3mumcf3gm322xhttps://bsky.app/profile/christianvolpem.bsky.social/post/3mpo4lwgh522bWe 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.02 Jul 2026 13:18 +0000at://did:plc:2cpblmggkyj736yvwhlsx75d/app.bsky.feed.post/3mpo4lwgh522bhttps://bsky.app/profile/christianvolpem.bsky.social/post/3mpg7fmtnss2xDoes 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 #Digitalization29 Jun 2026 09:47 +0000at://did:plc:2cpblmggkyj736yvwhlsx75d/app.bsky.feed.post/3mpg7fmtnss2xhttps://bsky.app/profile/christianvolpem.bsky.social/post/3mox7ac5vxc2tHow 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 #Digitalization23 Jun 2026 10:34 +0000at://did:plc:2cpblmggkyj736yvwhlsx75d/app.bsky.feed.post/3mox7ac5vxc2thttps://bsky.app/profile/christianvolpem.bsky.social/post/3mnz3vht24c2mOn 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.11 Jun 2026 11:14 +0000at://did:plc:2cpblmggkyj736yvwhlsx75d/app.bsky.feed.post/3mnz3vht24c2mhttps://bsky.app/profile/christianvolpem.bsky.social/post/3mnhgjzpcec2dHow 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 #Competition04 Jun 2026 10:37 +0000at://did:plc:2cpblmggkyj736yvwhlsx75d/app.bsky.feed.post/3mnhgjzpcec2dhttps://bsky.app/profile/christianvolpem.bsky.social/post/3mncgvjjnl22yLast 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 #GlobalEconomy02 Jun 2026 11:00 +0000at://did:plc:2cpblmggkyj736yvwhlsx75d/app.bsky.feed.post/3mncgvjjnl22yhttps://bsky.app/profile/christianvolpem.bsky.social/post/3mmtvktgpxs2uThe 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 #FDI27 May 2026 16:12 +0000at://did:plc:2cpblmggkyj736yvwhlsx75d/app.bsky.feed.post/3mmtvktgpxs2uhttps://bsky.app/profile/christianvolpem.bsky.social/post/3mlq3dmo7lc2qEarlier 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 #TradePolicy13 May 2026 10:20 +0000at://did:plc:2cpblmggkyj736yvwhlsx75d/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlq3dmo7lc2qhttps://bsky.app/profile/christianvolpem.bsky.social/post/3mkkdcybfdk24The 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 #Trade28 Apr 2026 10:01 +0000at://did:plc:2cpblmggkyj736yvwhlsx75d/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkkdcybfdk24https://bsky.app/profile/christianvolpem.bsky.social/post/3mjwapaljls2aOn 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 #Development20 Apr 2026 10:21 +0000at://did:plc:2cpblmggkyj736yvwhlsx75d/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjwapaljls2ahttps://bsky.app/profile/christianvolpem.bsky.social/post/3mjoqhvlrjk24The 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.17 Apr 2026 10:42 +0000at://did:plc:2cpblmggkyj736yvwhlsx75d/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjoqhvlrjk24https://bsky.app/profile/christianvolpem.bsky.social/post/3mh6cgpuctc2xOn 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 #ISDS16 Mar 2026 10:58 +0000at://did:plc:2cpblmggkyj736yvwhlsx75d/app.bsky.feed.post/3mh6cgpuctc2xhttps://bsky.app/profile/christianvolpem.bsky.social/post/3mfthw3io3k2pFinal 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.social27 Feb 2026 10:12 +0000at://did:plc:2cpblmggkyj736yvwhlsx75d/app.bsky.feed.post/3mfthw3io3k2phttps://bsky.app/profile/christianvolpem.bsky.social/post/3mf4tlokj2k2bReminder: 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.social18 Feb 2026 10:09 +0000at://did:plc:2cpblmggkyj736yvwhlsx75d/app.bsky.feed.post/3mf4tlokj2k2bhttps://bsky.app/profile/christianvolpem.bsky.social/post/3me6rcqesu22oOn 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 #Productivity06 Feb 2026 11:09 +0000at://did:plc:2cpblmggkyj736yvwhlsx75d/app.bsky.feed.post/3me6rcqesu22ohttps://bsky.app/profile/christianvolpem.bsky.social/post/3mdn4qujy3s2hCall 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 https://bsky.app/profile/emilyjblanchard.bsky.social https://bsky.app/profile/juancahallak.bsky.social30 Jan 2026 10:45 +0000at://did:plc:2cpblmggkyj736yvwhlsx75d/app.bsky.feed.post/3mdn4qujy3s2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/christianvolpem.bsky.social/post/3makwr7tbms22Last 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.22 Dec 2025 09:37 +0000at://did:plc:2cpblmggkyj736yvwhlsx75d/app.bsky.feed.post/3makwr7tbms22https://bsky.app/profile/christianvolpem.bsky.social/post/3mab3k3fwr22lLas 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 https://bsky.app/profile/oecd-ocde.bsky.social18 Dec 2025 11:36 +0000at://did:plc:2cpblmggkyj736yvwhlsx75d/app.bsky.feed.post/3mab3k3fwr22lhttps://bsky.app/profile/christianvolpem.bsky.social/post/3m6ospzwmdc25Last 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.28 Nov 2025 11:45 +0000at://did:plc:2cpblmggkyj736yvwhlsx75d/app.bsky.feed.post/3m6ospzwmdc25https://bsky.app/profile/christianvolpem.bsky.social/post/3m62ljga6a227On 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 #Trade20 Nov 2025 10:43 +0000at://did:plc:2cpblmggkyj736yvwhlsx75d/app.bsky.feed.post/3m62ljga6a227https://bsky.app/profile/christianvolpem.bsky.social/post/3m4aubqpowk27In 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.social28 Oct 2025 11:46 +0000at://did:plc:2cpblmggkyj736yvwhlsx75d/app.bsky.feed.post/3m4aubqpowk27https://bsky.app/profile/christianvolpem.bsky.social/post/3m2tk335ldc2nWe 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/2srteufn10 Oct 2025 11:13 +0000at://did:plc:2cpblmggkyj736yvwhlsx75d/app.bsky.feed.post/3m2tk335ldc2nhttps://bsky.app/profile/christianvolpem.bsky.social/post/3lzns4nu3n22pLast 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.25 Sep 2025 10:56 +0000at://did:plc:2cpblmggkyj736yvwhlsx75d/app.bsky.feed.post/3lzns4nu3n22phttps://bsky.app/profile/christianvolpem.bsky.social/post/3lw73w77lnc2xOn 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 #Trade12 Aug 2025 10:26 +0000at://did:plc:2cpblmggkyj736yvwhlsx75d/app.bsky.feed.post/3lw73w77lnc2xhttps://bsky.app/profile/christianvolpem.bsky.social/post/3lupg7lz2pc2fCan 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.social24 Jul 2025 11:22 +0000at://did:plc:2cpblmggkyj736yvwhlsx75d/app.bsky.feed.post/3lupg7lz2pc2fhttps://bsky.app/profile/christianvolpem.bsky.social/post/3lsdw5eslec22We 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 #AI24 Jun 2025 10:45 +0000at://did:plc:2cpblmggkyj736yvwhlsx75d/app.bsky.feed.post/3lsdw5eslec22https://bsky.app/profile/christianvolpem.bsky.social/post/3lrdbufoxpc2zDo 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 #Skills11 Jun 2025 11:17 +0000at://did:plc:2cpblmggkyj736yvwhlsx75d/app.bsky.feed.post/3lrdbufoxpc2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/christianvolpem.bsky.social/post/3lqwqa6pob22xOn 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.social‬06 Jun 2025 11:29 +0000at://did:plc:2cpblmggkyj736yvwhlsx75d/app.bsky.feed.post/3lqwqa6pob22x