PHILIPPINE economic growth will likely pick up this year, a regional think tank said in a report released on Monday, even as it advised monetary and fiscal authorities to be mindful of short-term external risks and keep interest rates “appropriately tight.”

MOVES to usher in the country’s third major telecommunications service provider could face a slight delay, as the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) awaits legislative clearance of the Mislatel Consortium’s franchise.

THE BILL seeking to reduce the required minimum paid-up capital for foreign entrants to the country’s retail sector is likely to secure third and final-reading approval at House of Representatives when legislative sessions resume after the May 13 mid-term elections, a senior lawmaker said on Monday.

D.M. Wenceslao & Associates, Inc. (DMW) is allocating P4 billion for capital expenditures this year, following a double-digit profit growth in 2018 due to the strong demand for properties in the Bay Area.

TOYOTA Motor Philippines (TMP) Corp. expects vehicle sales to bounce back this year as it targets a 5% growth after an industry-wide slump in 2018.

MEGAWORLD Corp. targets to book P1.5 billion from the sale of units in its second residential tower within The Upper East township in Bacolod.

LOS ANGELES — First it was the furor over a proposed new “popular” film category, then it was the fiasco over planned host Kevin Hart, and last month the organizers of the Oscars were accused of intimidating celebrities not to present at rival award shows.

WITH the growing popularity of co-working spaces, it seems like it’s only a matter of time before hotels ditch their “business centers.”

A LITTLE boy is eager to wear a colorful costume for the first time; a new mother who recently returned as a festival dancer, is dedicating her performance to her daughter; and last year’s best female performer from Badoc hopes to bag the same award for a second consecutive year. They have been preparing their routines, props, and costumes since November, and rehearsing along with 49 other performers for a month.

THE Tourism Authority of Thailand is expecting that more visitors from the Philippines will be visiting the Land of Smiles in 2019 after a good showing in 2018, with an executive from the tourism authority said that they will be promoting secondary cities this year in order for tourists to discover more of Thailand.

CATHAY LAND, Inc. is expanding its industrial park in Silang, Cavite to address growing demand in the area.

THE GOVERNMENT made a partial award of the Treasury bills (T-bill) it offered on Monday as market players continued to anticipate a retail bond sale.