SE Asian businesses eye tech role in SME boost
By Krista A. M. Montealegre
National Correspondent
AS SOUTHEAST ASIA looks to the next half decade, technology will play a pivotal role in unlocking the economic...
BSP expected to maintain policy for now
THE BANGKO SENTRAL ng Pilipinas (BSP) is widely expected to keep monetary policy settings steady on Thursday, according to comments from economists late last week, in which three said they see a reduction in benchmark interest rates while five projected a cut in banks’ required reserves in the months ahead.
Factory activity growth recovers in May
MANUFACTURING in the country picked up in May after business for factories improved at the slowest pace in nine months in April, with the increase in new orders “the most marked in four months” on the back of a “moderate” improvement in demand that was nevertheless “the greatest since February,” according to the latest monthly survey IHS Markit conducted for Nikkei, Inc.
Call for better policies marks mining summit
A BETTER POLICY ENVIRONMENT is needed to help the mining sector achieve its potentials, experts said in annual industry summit on Wednesday.
$4.2B in ‘hot money’ exits the Philippines in 2020 amid pandemic
By Luz Wendy T. Noble, Reporter
Over $4 billion in foreign portfolio investments (FPI) left the Philippines last year amid the coronavirus pandemic.
“Hot money,” called as such for the ease...
Business groups urge gov’t to resolve issue on VAT zero-rating
THE FAILURE of the government to resolve the value-added tax (VAT) zero-rating issue will have a detrimental impact on the growth of key export...
Typhoon-prone Philippines plans cover on infrastructure losses
The Philippines is readying an insurance plan that will protect the Southeast Asian nation from infrastructure losses caused by natural disasters, seeking to better...
Yellow alert in Luzon grid likely next week
THE LUZON GRID is expected to have a shortfall in power reserves starting next week to mid-June, with a yellow alert likely to be...
Growth on track to hit 6-7% — BSP
THE PHILIPPINES is on track to grow by as much as 7% this year, but a global economic slowdown amid tighter monetary conditions and elevated inflation is a key risk, according to the central bank.
Rising prices weigh on business
BUSINESSES OPTIMISM softened this quarter from the past year amid rising commodity prices — marking the third straight quarter-on-quarter dip and the lowest point since 2010 — although the outlook for the next three months improved on expectations of higher consumer demand ahead as Christmas holidays approach.
BSP ready to hike rates by 50 bps as peso nears record low against...
THE BANGKO SENTRAL ng Pilipinas (BSP) is prepared to raise its policy rate by 50 basis points (bps) in August as the Philippine peso on Thursday breached the P56 level against the US dollar to move closer to its record low.
Banks post bigger returns, capital buffers but slower asset, loan growth
THE COUNTRY’s biggest banks saw their profitability and capacity to absorb risky assets improve in the first quarter, even as asset and loan growth eased.