INT’L PARTNERSHIPS. Trade Secretary Cristina Roque delivers her speech at the Parliamentary Intelligence-Security Forum in the House of Representatives on Feb. 4, 2025. Also in the photo is Parliamentary Intelligence-Security Forum chairperson and former US Congressman Robert Pittenger. (Photo courtesy of DTI) The Philippines sees its expanding international collaborations, as part of its policies to strengthen trade…
BMI, a Fitch Solutions unit, expects consumer spending to continue to grow this year, driven by strong economic growth. “We hold a positive outlook for consumer spending in the Philippines, with an acceleration in real household spending growth — from 5.0% in 2024 to 5.3% in 2025,” BMI said in a recent report. “In real…
The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Board has approved a record-high PHP30.15 billion in investments during its first Board meeting in January 23 this year, up by 1,263 percent from the PHP2.212-billion in January 2024. In a recent statement, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary and PEZA chair Ma. Cristina Roque said their Board…
By Anna Leah Gonzales MANILA – The Philippines’ largest power firms owned by tycoons Manuel V. Pangilinan, Sabin Aboitiz, and Ramon S. Ang have reached an agreement on the joint acquisition of liquified natural gas (LNG). In a recent disclosure to the stock exchange, Manila Electric Company (MERALCO) said its wholly owned subsidiary Meralco PowerGen Corporation…
By Kris Crismundo MANILA – ProPak Philippines, the annual international trade expo for the packaging industry, will hold its fifth edition at the World Trade Center in Pasay City on February 12 to 14, 2025. This year’s expo will bring together some 250 exhibitors from over 30 countries. The will showcase their packaging technologies and innovation…
Finance Secretary Ralph Recto represents President Ferdinand R. Marcos and heads the Philippine delegation to the World Economic Forum (WEF) this year in Davos, Switzerland House Speaker Martin Romualdez said the Philippine delegation to the WEF 2025 aims to secure sustained investments in the country to enhance its competitiveness, efficiency and sustainability. “Our participation in…
By Anna Leah Gonzales The International Monetary Fund (IMF) sees Philippine economic growth to moderately pick up in 2024 to 2025, backed by lower inflation and the gradual easing of the country’s monetary policy. “Growth is expected to accelerate in 2024-25, supported by disinflation, and gradually declining borrowing costs as monetary policy normalizes,” stated a…
Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Director General Tereso Panga wants to double the country’s number of registered economic zones next year. In a recent press briefing of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Panga said PEZA eyes at an additional 30 ecozones that can be decided in 2025. He said many developers want to…
By Kris Crismundo Automotive vehicle sales in November 2024 rose by 8.5 percent year-on-year, reaching 40,898 units compared to 37,683 units in November 2023. The Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers, Inc. (CAMPI) and Truck Manufacturers Association attribute the growth figure primarily to hikes in commercial vehicle sales, which increased by 10.5 percent to 31,062 units from…
AF Payments, Inc. collaborates with GHL Systems Philippines to enable beep™ card acceptance at GHL-operated payment terminals nationwide. In photo from left: AF Payments, Inc. representatives: Sharon Fong (Chief Commercial Officer) and Jonathan Juan “JJ” Moreno (President & CEO) with GHL Systems Philippines Inc. representatives Jay Tirona (CEO), Michelle “Miru” Bulanhagui (VP – Corporate Sales…
