How can technology boost productivity in middle-income economies?
This question was at the center of discussions during the Technology Investment, Infusion, and Innovation session of the Growth Academy 2025 held in Tokyo, Japan on December 13–17, 2025. òòò½´«Ã½ Senior Research Fellow Dr. Jose Ramon Albert participated as a panelist, building on related discussions he joined earlier this month at the Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI) on shaping Asia’s future prosperity.
The Growth Academy (Tokyo edition) brought together policymakers, researchers, and practitioners to explore evidence-based strategies for long-term growth, drawing from the World Development Report 2024, and the challenges faced by middle-income economies in the Asia-Pacific region.
During the panel, Dr. Albert shared insights from the Philippine context, emphasizing that the country cannot simply replicate the manufacturing-led paths of earlier industrializers. Instead, a customized approach is needed, including investing in digital infrastructure, promoting service-led innovation, and building ecosystems that support technology diffusion and skills development.
The Philippine government is targeting an annual growth rate of 6.0 to 7.0 % from 2026 to 2028.
Photos: Growth Academy/World Bank Group
