Coronavirus seen to weigh on Asia’s growth in 1st half
THE NOVEL CORONAVIRUS (2019-nCoV) outbreak is seen to weigh on Asia’s economic growth in the first half of 2020, Fitch Solutions Macro Research said on Wednesday.
GDP growth could slow on outbreak
PHILIPPINE economic growth could slow this quarter as factory closures in China, which is battling a coronavirus outbreak that has killed hundreds and sickened thousands more, hit the global supply chain, according to Mitsubishi UFJ Group (MUFG) Global Research.
Gov’t raises record P311B from RTBs
THE Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) raised a record P310.8 billion from its sale of retail Treasury bonds (RTBs) that ended on Tuesday, two days ahead of the original schedule, following strong demand from investors.
8 insurers, NHMFC charged for anti-competitive deals
THE Philippine Competition Commission’s Enforcement Office (PCC) has charged a pool of insurers and state-led secondary mortgagor for entering into anti-competitive agreements that cornered a type of insurance offered to borrowers for nearly four decades.
Asian central banks face rate cut pressure
CENTRAL BANKS in Asia face increasing calls to cut interest rates as they jump into action against a spiraling coronavirus crisis that’s hammering tourism, travel and confidence across the region.
GenSan eyes more trade, tourism ties in the north with direct flights to Clark
GENERAL SANTOS City’s public and private sectors are aiming to boost trade and tourism ties in the country’s northern island following Monday’s launch of direct flights to and from Clark International in Pampanga.
Factory activity picks up in January
THE Philippines’ manufacturing sector is off to a good start this year as factory activity in January improved at its strongest rate in a year, in contrast to the generally subdued performance across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Billionaire Razon buys 25% stake in Manila Water
PHILIPPINE billionaire Enrique K. Razon, Jr. will buy a 25% stake in Ayala Corp. unit Manila Water Co., Inc. amid a government review of allegedly onerous water contracts.
Tourism industry starts counting cost of China virus outbreak
THE TOURISM INDUSTRY expects P20 billion in revenue losses as tourist arrivals from China plunge after the new coronavirus outbreak, Tourism Congress of the Philippines President Jose C. Clemente III said on Monday.
2% agri output growth achievable despite ASF
THE Department of Agriculture (DA) hopes to achieve a two percent growth in agricultural production this year despite failing to meet the target in 2019 as the African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak is seen to continue weighing on the livestock sector.
Inflation likely quickened in January
INFLATION likely quickened further in January mainly on the back of an uptick in food prices, some supply side shocks from the Taal Volcano eruption and continued diminishing base effects, analysts said in a BusinessWorld poll, with the central bank seen easing rates this week ahead of emerging risks to prices.
Gov’t hoping talks with China could spur faster disbursement of ODA
MORE MEETINGS with the Chinese government could help address the “slow pace” of disbursement of official development assistance (ODA), a top official said.