Fitch sees 2nd half GDP growth picking up ‘modestly’
AFTER a not-so-stellar 5.5% first-half economic expansion amid budget delays and headwinds from abroad, Fitch Ratings expects Philippine growth to catch up with a modest improvement this semester.
Trade-in-goods deficit narrows in July — PSA
THE COUNTRY’s trade-in-goods deficit narrowed in July as merchandise exports grew at their fastest pace in nine months while imports declined, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported on Tuesday.
Senate leaders unconvinced extra powers needed vs traffic
SENATE leaders remain unconvinced that the Executive branch needs emergency powers to solve worsening traffic in Metro Manila and other key urban centers, citing in a public hearing on Tuesday the Department of Transportation’s (DoTr) lack of a master plan.
African Swine Fever outbreak confirmed
THE DEPARTMENT of Agriculture (DA) on Monday confirmed the first outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF) in the Philippines, adding that quarantine measures have been tightened to prevent the spread of the virus.
Meralco rates down for fifth month
HOUSEHOLDS in Metro Manila will see lower electricity bills for the fifth straight month in September, according to the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco).
Three economic reforms bag House approval
THREE ECONOMIC REFORMS gained ground in the House of Representatives on Monday evening, with the measure removing restrictions on foreigners from practicing their professions in the Philippines and another simplifying taxes on financial instruments both bagging final approval.
BoC grows collections as of August
THE BUREAU of Customs (BoC) grew collections further in August, according to preliminary figures released on Monday.
Forum highlights need for FIRe preparation
THE FOURTH Industrial Revolution (FIRe) is bound to hit more and more sectors in the Philippines, and the challenge now is to prepare them to take advantage of opportunities from this development, speakers said in BusinessWorld’s Industry 4.0 Summit at Shangri-La at the Fort, Taguig City on Monday.
House lines up reforms for final OK
TWO MORE tax reforms and a measure that will further open up the economy can be expected to bag final approval in the House of Representatives this week, leaders of the chamber said in separate interviews last weekend.
SEC ‘still sorting out’ new REIT rules’ details
THE Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) remains keen on issuing guidelines on real estate investment trusts (REIT) within the year, amid anticipation from market participants.
Kantar expects shift to digital advertising to happen ‘very quickly’
GLOBAL DATA and consulting firm Kantar expects brands to shift to digital advertising from traditional media channels soon, as consumers become more selective in their purchases.
Budget delay’s impact hounds infrastructure spending into July
LATE ENACTMENT of this year’s national budget continued to weigh on infrastructure spending in July, the Budget department reported on Thursday, even as it noted that a month-on-month surge showed “that disbursements are starting to normalize and accelerate in the second half…”