The Philippines made its first commercial shipment of Carabao mangoes to Canada as the government seeks to expand market access for the country"s agricultural products, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said.

MANILA, Philippines — Filipinos moved more than P22 trillion in funds through the InstaPay and PESONet systems from January to August, underscoring the rapid adoption of digital payments after regulators had pushed for lower transaction fees. Data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed that the combined value of transactions coursed through the two automated

MANILA, Philippines — Manila and Ottawa have resolved major roadblocks to a landmark free trade agreement (FTA) during the fourth round of negotiations earlier this month, putting the deal on track for conclusion before year-end. That leaves both parties with only “very few remaining issues” to resolve in the coming months through smaller meetings and online

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines’ dollar deficit narrowed in August despite continued volatility tied to the Middle East conflict, as resilient inflows from key sources like remittances may have helped offset the outflows. The country’s balance of payments (BOP), a broad measure of money flowing into and out of the economy, registered a deficit of $596

MANILA, Philippines — Artificial intelligence (AI) is moving so quickly that many CEOs are asking the wrong question. They ask: “Which AI tools should my people use? The better question is: “If we were building this company today, with AI available from Day One, how would we design it differently?” That is the difference between an

MANILA, Philippines — This article draws on my presentation at the 1st Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Business and Investment Summit, organized by the East Asia Business Council and the Management Association of the Philippines and held in Metro Manila on Sept. 9, 2026. Somewhere in East Asia, a buyer is choosing a supplier and

Chinese gold jewellers are seeking opportunities in the Middle East and India, leveraging their advanced crafting technologies as the industry struggles amid the precious metal’s price volatility, according to an international association for the sector. At the most recent Jewellery & Gem World Hong Kong fair, buyers from the two regions accounted for most visitors, said Wang Lixin, China CEO of the World Gold Council, in a recent interview with the South China Morning Post. The interest was...

MANILA, Philippines — It seems there has been a quiet change at the top of Sun Life Investment Management and Trust Corp. (SLIMTC). And by “top,” we mean literally, as Michael Gerard Enriquez, SLIMTC president and chief investment officer, has resigned. The reason for his departure was not disclosed. The change appears to have happened without much

Mainland China’s stock exchanges have stepped up lobbying of companies and regulators to prioritise their boards for listings after Hong Kong stole their thunder in fundraising activities in recent years, according to two sources familiar with the matter. Figures from the exchanges recently met representatives of some mainland companies planning Hong Kong listings, especially first-time issuers and firms in sectors supported by national policies, a source said. “Exchanges emphasised the benefits...

Chinese chipmaker Hygon Information Technology is set to release a new chip targeting complex real-world applications including robotics, an expansion from its current focus on data centres. The product launch, slated for Tuesday, marks Hygon’s move into a new chip category powering machines that interact directly with their environments, as physical artificial intelligence becomes increasingly important. The new chip, an iteration of the company’s CPU1000 series, is designed to meet “low-power,...

Competition between mainland China and Hong Kong for hi-tech initial public offerings presents emerging technology firms with a dual-track strategic choice rather than a zero-sum battle, according to an executive at a national cross-border innovation platform. “There is naturally a degree of competition,” Lu Peng, general manager of Beijing-based Zhongguancun International, said in an interview on Thursday, referring to how tech firms select their primary listing venue. “However, the two markets...

Thailand is doubling the capacity of its public solar-power programme to 10GW from 5GW, in the latest move to reduce the economy’s exposure to imported fossil fuels and volatile LNG prices. The expanded scheme is expected to cover around 1 million households, with Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas approving the expansion as the government accelerates its […]

Fitch Ratings has revised Thailand’s sovereign outlook to Stable from Negative, while affirming the country’s BBB+ long-term foreign- and local-currency ratings. The move, announced on September 19, means Thailand now has a Stable outlook from all three major international rating agencies, following Moody’s revision in April and S&P Global’s existing Stable assessment. Key points Fitch’s […]

China CITIC Bank International’s Wendy Yuen says the future of finance will not be won by technology alone, but by banks that combine digital speed with human trust, cross-border insight and lifelong learning. As head of the Personal and Business Banking Group at China CITIC Bank International, Wendy Yuen sits at the intersection of technology, regulation and real-world customer needs. Based in Hong Kong, she works across retail banking, SME support, fintech innovation and cross-border growth in...

Chinese memory chip giant Changxin Memory Technologies (CXMT) said on Sunday that it adopted its new-generation technology platform for mass production, narrowing the advantage of global leaders including Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix in manufacturing nodes. CXMT’s fifth-generation technology platform, dubbed G5, achieved a “quantum leap” in storage density, with the number of dies produced per wafer increasing by at least 50 per cent from the previous generation while maintaining better...

Prices for properties near the new Huanggang Port are already soaring months ahead of the border crossing being put into operation, with many buyers attracted by the idea of a “dual-city lifestyle”, according to property agents. The new border facility, which is set to open before the end of the year, is expected to make crossing between Shenzhen and Hong Kong far quicker and more convenient, with plans for 24-hour operations, a “co-location arrangement” and a “joint inspection” clearance model...

The economy of Southeast Asia remains "resilient" despite the Middle East crisis and other global uncertainties, the ASEAN economic ministers highlighted following a meeting in Manila on September 19.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Sunday that it is backing the proposal from the hog industry to set the floor price for swine at P210 per kilo.

The country's chicken meat importation is forecasted to rise to 780,000 metric tons in 2027 to meet the growing demand from food manufacturing and food service industries, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) said.

Foreign investors in Indonesia need sector-specific approvals based on activities, risk levels, and regulations; licenses and certifications vary.

Property brokers in China’s major cities are expecting busier days as would-be homebuyers take a cue from a recent policy shift by Beijing aimed at reviving the slumbering real estate market. Some say they are being swamped by inquiries and are trying to seal as many deals as possible amid a recovery in confidence, while others are keeping their fingers crossed for more government stimulus to sustain the growing momentum. “Government support always holds the key to the performance of the home...

MANILA, Philippines — The world is changing at an unprecedented pace, driven by technological advances such as Artificial Intelligence (AI). But as innovation reshapes the way we live and connect, it also brings new opportunities, challenges, and risks—and senior citizens should not be left behind. The Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI) recognizes that today’s seniors are active

MANILA, Philippines — On Starbucks’ menu and grocery shelves abroad, ube—once a niche flavor internationally but long beloved in the Philippines—has found a comfortable place under the global spotlight in what has been dubbed its great “purple reign.” Ube coconut macchiato. Ube mochi pancakes. Ube-scented candles. And, more familiar to Filipinos, ube ice scramble. READ: A

MANILA, Philippines — For many Filipinos dreaming of making it online, the traditional route has often pointed toward Manila. But from Cagayan de Oro, a cohort of singers, dancers and natural conversationalists is testing whether a smartphone, a stable audience and several hours of livestreaming can offer another way in. READ: From trends to truth: TikTok’s

MANILA, Philippines — Filipinos are hardly short on malasakit (compassion). Even when there is little to spare, the instinct to help runs deep. Such cultural trait has helped sustain a strong tradition of giving in the Philippines. But goodwill alone cannot keep the social services offered by civil society running. READ: Red tape limits NGO role

GENEVA, Switzerland — Technology has long streamlined business operations and slashed operational expenses, yet the advent of artificial intelligence (AI) poses a new set of risks for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across Southeast Asia, including the Philippines. While AI presents opportunities for innovation and growth, Matthew Wilson, ambassador of Barbados to the World Trade

The scrapping of the value added tax on the allowable system loss charges imposed by power utilities is likely to reflect in consumers' November electricity bill, the Energy Regulatory Commission said on Sunday.

A war, an AI boom and a stubborn set of structural limits are splitting Asia's emerging economies into winners and squeezed. As the IMF and World Bank prepare to meet in Bangkok, the July forecasts rest on assumptions that have not held so far.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) welcomed the year-on-year increase in palay prices in August, saying stronger farmgate returns could provide rice farmers with a buffer against rising fuel, transport, and other input costs.

What does an affordable condominium in Cavite share with a sail-shaped beachfront tower in Batangas?  On paper, very little. One is aimed at buyers taking an early step onto the property ladder; the other promises a premium coastal lifestyle. Between those points are suburban communities in Luzon, high-rise homes in Cebu and Davao, a nature-led