Germany, France to tighten ‘Made in Europe’ stance, pressuring China’s auto industry

South China Morning Post - Oct 18, 2026

France and Germany have unveiled a joint position on Europe’s automotive package, with a tighter geographic definition of “Made in Europe” and a research and development requirement for cars to qualify for subsidies or public procurement, which industry insiders say would put further pressure on Chinese carmakers to invest in production within the bloc. The automotive sector’s “Made in Europe” classification would include only the 27 member states of the European Union, with an opt-in to include...

Read full article

More News

BOI, SET, and SEC Launch BOI to IPO Program to Boost Thailand’s New Economy

Oct 18, 2026

BOI, SET, and SEC Launch BOI to IPO Program to Boost Thailand’s New Economy

Thailand's Board of Investment, Stock Exchange of Thailand, and Securities and Exchange Commission signed a memorandum of understanding establishing the "BOI to IPO" program, which aims to help New Economy enterprises raise capital through stock market listings.

AI glasses as travel guides? Cheaper in China, but technical hitches slow adoption

Oct 17, 2026

AI glasses as travel guides? Cheaper in China, but technical hitches slow adoption

Artificial intelligence-powered glasses can act as tour guides, snap photos hands-free and translate foreign languages. The devices also sell at relatively affordable prices in China. But are they the perfect travel companion? Not yet. AI glasses were slowly catching on with travellers as the technology improved and more devices entered the market, analysts said, but technical hitches were slowing mass adoption of the smartphone-linked gear that could be worn like ordinary spectacles. “They can...

Hong Kong’s skiers flock to mainland as indoor slopes mushroom nationwide

Oct 17, 2026

Hong Kong’s skiers flock to mainland as indoor slopes mushroom nationwide

A rising number of travellers from Hong Kong and Macau are flocking to indoor ski centres in Guangdong province, as new venues mushroom across the mainland amid a winter sports boom. Chinese indoor ski resort operator Bonski said 20 to 30 per cent of visitors to its facility in Guangzhou were now coming from Hong Kong and Macau, as the company’s venues continue to attract a growing customer base. “Most visitors to indoor ski venues are local residents, and we have seen steady inflows of...

Up to P5.50/liter rollback on gasoline seen next week

Oct 17, 2026

Up to P5.50/liter rollback on gasoline seen next week

Motorists may expect a sigh of relief in the coming week amid an expected pump price rollback.

Peso touches new record low of 63.23:$1 on Fed rate hike bets

Oct 17, 2026

Peso touches new record low of 63.23:$1 on Fed rate hike bets

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine peso touched a fresh record low on Friday, extending its slide beyond 63 per dollar as signs of persistent US inflation strengthened expectations that the Federal Reserve (Fed) could raise interest rates again this month. The local currency weakened to an intraday low of 63.23 per dollar, surpassing Thursday’s record

Gokongwei, Salazar receive top MAP award

Oct 17, 2026

Gokongwei, Salazar receive top MAP award

MANILA, Philippines — Top Philippine conglomerate executives Lance Gokongwei and Chito Salazar have been named this year’s recipients of the prestigious “Management Person of the Year” award conferred by the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP). Gokongwei, president and CEO of JG Summit Holdings Inc., was cited chiefly for his role in transforming the Gokongwei Group

Go eyes cut in OFW remittance transfer costs to 2%

Oct 17, 2026

Go eyes cut in OFW remittance transfer costs to 2%

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Finance (DOF) is targeting a reduction in the cost of sending money home by overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to around 2 percent of the funds sent, with Finance Secretary Frederick Go turning to global payments firms to help make money transfers to the Philippines more affordable. “The average (fee) now,

ACEN earmarks P3B to support Palauig solar park, battery projects

Oct 17, 2026

ACEN earmarks P3B to support Palauig solar park, battery projects

MANILA, Philippines — The Ayala group’s ACEN Corp. has committed an additional P3 billion to its wholly owned subsidiary Giga Ace 8 Inc. to finance the construction of its Palauig Solar 2 and battery energy storage projects. In a disclosure on Friday, ACEN said it signed a subscription agreement for 300 million Redeemable Preferred Shares “A”

Converge tests lower-cost prepaid fiber offer

Oct 17, 2026

Converge tests lower-cost prepaid fiber offer

MANILA, Philippines — Converge ICT Solutions Inc. is preparing to pilot a new low-cost prepaid home broadband offering this quarter, as the telco seeks to reach price-sensitive households amid the increasingly saturated fiber market. Dennis Anthony Uy, cofounder and CEO of Converge, said the product, which could be commercially launched as early as the first

DMCI Homes partners with Pag-Ibig to widen housing access

Oct 17, 2026

DMCI Homes partners with Pag-Ibig to widen housing access

MANILA, Philippines — DMCI Homes has partnered with Pag-Ibig Fund to make up to 3,990 condominium units eligible for housing loan financing, subject to the completion of project accreditations. The property developer signed a memorandum of understanding with the state-run housing lender on Friday to broaden financing options for qualified buyers. Anissa Heights, a condominium development

Manulife REIT fund expands into infrastructure, natural resources

Oct 17, 2026

Manulife REIT fund expands into infrastructure, natural resources

MANILA, Philippines — Manulife Investments Philippines has converted its Global Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) Feeder Fund into a diversified multi-asset unit investment trust fund (UITF), expanding its investment mandate beyond real estate to include listed infrastructure, natural resources equities and US Treasury inflation-protected securities. In a statement, the asset management arm of Manulife said it launched

Philippine output boosts global pineapple trade

Oct 17, 2026

Philippine output boosts global pineapple trade

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines significantly contributed to global pineapple trade in 2025 as it invested heavily in improving domestic production, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. Global pineapple exports grew by 3.7 percent to 3.7 million metric tons (MT) in 2025, largely driven by higher supplies from the

Recommended