Research

Working papers

• Informality and Place-Based Policies
  Aggregate and individual effects of PBPs on the informal sector
  Abstract

  This paper studies the local economic impact of the Free Economic Zones (FEZs) program established in Colombia between 2005-2018. Based on a novel data set that combines georeferenced data on FEZs, municipalities, and household characteristics, I measure the spatial effects of the creation of these zones on labor market outcomes, focusing on informality. Results show that establishing FEZs significantly increases informality, with positive spillovers to nearby regions and a decrease in distance. To rationalize these findings, I develop a spatial structural model with informality, international trade, and firm sorting.

  Presentation

  AMSE PhD seminar, QMUL workshop 2024, Urban Economic Association Summer School 2024, LAGV 2024, Konstanz Brown Bag Seminar, French Japanese Conference 2024, Junior Workshop ENS de Lyon 2024

Work in progress

• Artificial intelligence and trade (with Despoina Balouktsi & Priyam Verma)
  Impact of trade on artificial intelligence (AI) innovation and overall economic growth
  Presentation

  ETSG 2024

• Caring for the unpaid caregivers: Evidence from Bogotá (with Natalia Labrador)
  Effects of spatially targeted care policy on women’s labor market outcomes, unpaid care work, and IPV
  Presentation

  AMSE DEVPOL informal seminar

• Place-based cross-subsidies and self-employment (with Ricardo Guzman)
• Technology adoption and informality: Evidence from Zambia
  Competition effects of technology adoption in the presence of a large informal sector