MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) and Nestlé Philippines will work together to bolster coffee farming in Northern Mindanao, targeting yields of 1 metric ton per hectare. On Friday, both parties signed an agreement to unveil the Mindanao Integrated Coffee Development and Genetic Resource Program (MICDGRP), which aims to enhance coffee productivity in

MANILA, Philippines — Puerto Princesa is courting private investors to develop an integrated meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) district, anchored by a convention center that could accommodate up to 20,000 people. Mayor Lucilo Bayron said the city was positioning the more than 500-hectare Santa Lucia Environmental Estate as a major investment destination that would combine

MANILA, Philippines — Citicore Renewable Energy Corp. (CREC) secured its largest syndicated financing to date, amounting to P35.014 billion, to help the group roll out five solar projects in Batangas. On Friday, the company said that it sealed the syndicated project financing with the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), Land Bank of the Philippines

MANILA, Philippines — AboitizPower-led Subic EnerZone Corporation has renewed its power distribution partnership with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, extending its management of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone’s power distribution system for another 25 years. Subic EnerZone has served the special economic zone since October 2003. As of Feb. 28, 2026, it served more than

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine peso fell to another record low on Friday, capping a bruising week for the currency as concerns over rising inflation at home threatened to prolong its slide ahead of the US Federal Reserve’s (Fed) next policy meeting. The local currency weakened by 9.5 centavos to close at 63.615 against the dollar,

MANILA, Philippines — The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) may have more interest rate increases in store as it battles stubbornly high inflation, analysts said, a move that could change how Filipinos spend, save and invest. In a note to clients. Jojo Gonzales, research analyst at Bank of America, said the Monetary Board may deliver

MANILA, Philippines — The Social Security System (SSS) has made its first foreign investment after putting $200,000 in US government Treasuries, with newly appointed President and CEO Victor Limlingan planning to raise the pension fund’s offshore allocation to as much as 5 percent of its investment reserve fund (IRF) by 2027. Limlingan, who spoke to

MANILA, Philippines — JG Summit Holdings Inc. plans to acquire 37.05 billion shares in Oriental Petroleum and Minerals Corp. from its wholly owned subsidiary, placing the investment directly with the parent company. The conglomerate’s board said on Friday that it approved the proposed acquisition from JG Summit Capital Services Corp. on Oct. 22. READ: JG Summit

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Bank (PNB) saw its nine-month net income grow by 15 percent to P21.3 billion as lending expanded and the share of soured loans declined. On Friday, the Lucio Tan-led bank said its earnings in the January-to-September period rose from P18.5 billion a year earlier. READ: PNB first-half profit jumped 17% to

MANILA, Philippines — The US government is providing $34.1 million (about P2 billion) in funding to advance the development of the Philippine ube industry in the next few years. Lee Lipton, Washington’s Ambassador to the Philippines, said the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) had awarded the grant under its Food for Progress Program, which supports

MANILA, Philippines — International passenger traffic at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) has held up in the year so far, even posting modest growth despite flight disruptions and soaring airfares that have weighed on global travel for much of 2026. Data from New Naia Infra Corp. (NNIC), the operator of the country’s main gateway, showed that

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) president and CEO Ramon Monzon is setting his sights on a local listing for Maya, hoping GCash parent Mynt Inc.’s stock market debut will help persuade its rival to follow. “Let’s work on Maya, now that GCash has been listed already,” Monzon said in an interview. READ: Mynt

MANILA, Philippines — The Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) said the Philippine economy is likely to remain highly resilient to external shocks despite mounting tariff pressures, citing the country’s strong foreign exchange buffers and potential to diversify export markets. “Given its solid foreign currency liquidity position, JCR believes that the Philippines will remain highly resilient

The Bureau of Internal Revenue said more than 52,700 certificates of registration with registration seal badges have been secured by online sellers, service providers, and content creators as of October 14.

When Wang Junhong was helping Chinese brokerage Guotai Junan International establish a foothold in Vietnam, he had to knock on the door of a familiar Chinese bank. As part of the Hong Kong-based firm’s expansion into Southeast Asia, it had acquired a controlling stake of a small Vietnamese securities company in 2019, but it still needed financing to expand its operation. Wang, now chairman of Guotai Haitong Securities (Vietnam), turned to China Construction Bank’s branch in Ho Chi Minh City,...

Higher global energy prices have boosted Brunei Darussalam’s near-term economic outlook. The surge in crude oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) prices following the outbreak of the Middle East conflict this year has boosted export earnings, improved public finances, and supported activity across the oil and gas (O&G) value chain. This windfall offers Brunei a […]

Consumers in Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines are increasingly using AI platforms like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity for product and service research.

MANILA, Philippines — Local stocks retreated on Friday as investors weighed the impact of higher borrowing costs on economic growth, while a weakening peso added to market jitters. The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange Index (PSEi) dropped 0.88 percent, or 51.10 points, to close at 5,728.63. READ: BSP unleashes jumbo rate hike vs inflation Philstocks Financial Inc.

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine peso fell to a record low on Friday as concerns about the domestic inflation outlook overshadowed an aggressive interest rate hike by the central bank. The currency weakened 9.5 centavos to close at 63.615 against the dollar, according to data from the Bankers Association of the Philippines. READ: BSP unleashes jumbo

MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court has recognized the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) for its contribution to the implementation of electronic notarization (eNotarization), particularly in facilitating compliance with documentary stamp tax (DST) requirements through the BIR’s electronic Documentary Stamp Tax (eDST) system. The court gave its recognition last Oct. 13 during its ceremonial signing of

MANILA, Philippines — Peppermint Bizmoto Inc. (PBI), a leading financial technology rail that holds a regulatory electronic money issuer (EMI) license under the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), has officially signed a strategic merchant payment services agreement with ARX (Asian Regulatory Exchange). Under the partnership, which was signed in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, Peppermint will

MANILA, Philippines — Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Charlito Martin R. Mendoza outlined the bureau’s tax modernization initiatives and long-term institutional reforms under its DARES agenda at the 5th SGV Tax Symposium 2026, held on Oct. 19 in Makati City. In his presentation titled “BIR D.A.R.E.S.: Driving Change, Delivering Impact,” Mendoza emphasized immediate improvements in

Hong Kong has taken another step towards building itself into an international gold trading hub, after confirming deals that will see gold refineries localise production in the city. The addition of the local refineries will allow Hong Kong to form a complete gold trading ecosystem, boosting belief in the city’s ability to become a trusted global gold vault, according to analysts. “Hong Kong has been substantiating the idea of a global gold hub now that it no longer needs mainland-based...

Chinese printed circuit board maker Suzhou Dongshan Precision Manufacturing Co failed to excite retail investors in Hong Kong, making it one of the least popular mega initial public offerings (IPOs) in the city so far this year. Bookbuilding closed as scheduled on Friday, with preliminary figures showing the public offering has been undersubscribed with fewer than 10,000 applicants, according to people familiar with the matter. Dongshan Precision is seeking to raise as much as HK$10.7 billion...

MANILA, Philippines — Motorists should plan and budget their fuel purchases, as fuel products will experience mixed price adjustments next week. Diesel products will see another round of price hikes next week due to escalating geopolitical conflict. READ: Attack on Saudi’s Dammam airport leaves 1 dead, 8 injured In an advisory on Friday, Jetti Petroleum president

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is actively studying rules that would require manufacturers to have electric bicycles, other light electric vehicles, and their batteries undergo mandatory safety certification before selling them in the Philippines. Under a draft technical regulation, the agency plans to require that covered vehicles obtain Philippine National Standards

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on Friday assured consumers that prices of some 204 basic necessities and prime commodities will remain unchanged until the end of the year, as agreed upon with manufacturers and retailers.

A key Communist Party meeting next week in Beijing is likely to be dominated by two themes – the renewal of President Xi Jinping’s long-standing anti-corruption drive and the hunt for clues about a looming leadership reshuffle. “Major issues related to advancing full and rigorous party self-governance” will top the agenda at the fifth plenum of the party’s Central Committee, which runs from Monday to Wednesday. Plenums, which usually take place once a year, draw about 300 delegates and...

Former HSBC Holdings global insurance head Edward Moncreiffe will join rival AIA Group as regional CEO from November 2, following a path taken by former HSBC Group chairman Mark Tucker, who returned to the Asia-Pacific region’s largest insurer as non-executive chairman last year. Moncreiffe will oversee AIA’s businesses in India, Sri Lanka, Australia and New Zealand, while serving on the group’s executive committee, according to a company statement issued on Friday. He will report to group CEO...

The local currency shed 9.5 centavos to close Friday at P63.615:$1, surpassing Thursday"s finish of P63.52:$1, the previous record.