Cost of doing business, navigating international rules hindering wider Philippine utilization of trade deals

EXPORTERS lack the knowledge to tap trade agreements and face a higher cost of doing business in the Philippines, rendering their products uncompetitive relative to other countries’ exports, a business group said.

Banks, electronic money issuers reviewing zero transaction fees on small transfers

BANKS and electronic money issuers (EMIs) are still reviewing the removal of transaction fees for small online fund transfers, an official from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said.   

PHL extends tariff cuts on imported rice, other food items to fight inflation

Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. has approved the extension of reduced tariffs on rice and other food items until the end-2024 to keep...

PEZA sets sights on over P250B in investment approvals next year 

The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) aims for investment approvals of over P250 billion next year, its top official said on Friday. "We really want...

Philippines records 22.4% poverty rate in first half 

By Andrea C. Abestano Researcher The Philippines' poverty rate for the first half of 2023 decreased to 22.4% from 23.7% in the same period of...

Upside inflation risks seen to linger

THE BANGKO SENTRAL ng Pilipinas (BSP) retained its 2-4% inflation target range through 2026, although risks to the outlook remain “strongly tilted to the...

IPOs likely to regain momentum next year

MARKET WATCHERS expect initial public offerings (IPOs) to regain momentum in 2024 once the Philippine central bank begins rate cuts.

PHL expected to import more rice due to El Niño

THE EL NIÑO weather event’s impact on agriculture production in the Philippines could lead to a surge in rice imports to account for the supply shortfall, the World Bank said.

Global rice prices hit highest level in 15 years

RICE PRICES reached a fresh 15-year high on mounting concerns that increased demand and the impact of El Niño will further tighten supplies of...

Rates to stay ‘higher for longer’ — BSP

THE BANGKO SENTRAL ng Pilipinas (BSP) is unlikely to start policy easing in the next few months and will only consider cutting rates if...

PHL posts BoP deficit of $216M in November

THE PHILIPPINES’ balance of payments (BoP) deficit narrowed to $216 million in November from the $756-million gap a year ago, preliminary data from the...

NG plans to borrow P585B domestically in Q1

THE NATIONAL Government (NG) plans to borrow P585 billion from the domestic market in the first quarter, the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) said...