Malaysia power shift hits China infrastructure drive
KUALA LUMPUR -- Malaysia was once a loyal partner in China’s globe-spanning infrastructure drive but a new government is now pledging to review Beijing-backed projects, threatening key links in the much-vaunted initiative.
BoP, current account pressures persist
THE BANGKO SENTRAL ng Pilipinas (BSP) expects the country’s external payments position to settle at a wider deficit this year under the pressure of more imports but propped up by service-related inflows and the entry of more foreign capital.
Metro Manila’s water tariffs rising
CUSTOMERS of Metro Manila’s two water concessionaires will soon see an increase in their bills, the sector’s regulator announced on Thursday.
Finance dep’t eyes April 2019 for tax amnesty
THE GOVERNMENT is looking at offering its planned one-time tax amnesty program in April next year, coinciding with the deadline for filing income tax returns, the Department of Finance (DoF) said.
Hot money back to net outflow on peso, inflation worries
MORE FOREIGN FUNDS left the Philippines in May, capping two months of net inflows, amid global geopolitical tensions and higher yields in the United States, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reported on Thursday.
Fed lifts rates as inflation picks up, drops crisis-era guidance
WASHINGTON -- The Federal Reserve raised interest rates on Wednesday, a move that was widely expected but still marked a milestone in the US central bank’s shift from policies used to battle the 2007-2009 financial crisis and recession.
Central bank faces ‘complex’ policy environment
THE MONETARY BOARD (MB) is gearing up for an earlier rate-setting meeting next week as it faces a “fairly complex” mix of faster inflation, a weakening peso and robust economic growth.
Asia central banks juggling risks find solace in food
ASIAN central bankers grappling with wobbly markets, higher energy costs and simmering trade tensions are getting relief from an old foe: food prices.
Electronics firms brace for higher tax cost
ELECTRONICS companies in the country -- a key driver of merchandise exports -- are bracing for bigger costs once planned changes to current fiscal incentives are implemented.
Blackstone raises $9.4B for Asia real estate, private equity funds
HONG KONG -- Blackstone Group LP said it has raised about $9.4 billion for two new funds -- the largest-ever fund dedicated to real estate investments in Asia as well as its first private equity fund for the region.
BSP looks at further easing of FX rules
WORK is under way for fresh easing of foreign exchange restrictions, with changes being prepared by the central bank meant to simplify the entry and withdrawal of investments.
Banks get more time for detailed real estate reports
THE BANGKO SENTRAL ng Pilipinas (BSP) has pushed back the implementation of tighter standards for banks in reporting real estate loans and project financing agreements.