PH to unveil integrated trade-climate strategy by November

Inquirer.net - Sep 17, 2026

GENEVA, Switzerland — The Philippines will unveil an integrated Trade-Climate Strategy by November, outlining a framework to align domestic policies, boost trade competitiveness, and ensure key sectors are regulatory-ready. The Philippine Mission to the World Trade Organization (WTO) told the Inquirer that it will launch the integrated Trade-Climate Strategy at the United Nations Climate Change Conference

Read full article

More News

DOE eyes Zamboanga for oil storage facility site

Sep 17, 2026

DOE eyes Zamboanga for oil storage facility site

The Department of Energy (DOE) said on Thursday that it is considering a larger area in Zamboanga to set up a storage facility that can handle 50 million barrels of oil.

Fed rate hike risks worsening China’s economic divide

Sep 17, 2026

Fed rate hike risks worsening China’s economic divide

The US Federal Reserve raised interest rates for the first time in three years in an effort to quell inflation partly caused by the war on Iran helping to drive up fuel prices. Policymakers voted unanimously on Wednesday to lift rates by 25 basis points to between 3.75 and 4.00 per cent. Sixteen of 18 committee members also said that they anticipate another rate hike this year. The increase will help inflation make a “timelier return” to a 2 per cent target, according to a statement, as new Fed...

ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office releases the 2026 ASEAN+3 Financial Stability Report

Sep 17, 2026

ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office releases the 2026 ASEAN+3 Financial Stability Report

Join the launch of the ASEAN+3 Financial Stability Report 2026 on October 5. It assesses financial resilience, explores risks, and discusses policy priorities amid geopolitical uncertainties and AI investment optimism. Upcoming Launch of the ASEAN+3 Financial Stability Report 2026 On Monday, October 5, at 10:30 am Singapore time, the ASEAN+3 Financial Stability Report (AFSR) 2026 […]

Marcos wants scaled-up manufacturing, production for small businesses

Sep 17, 2026

Marcos wants scaled-up manufacturing, production for small businesses

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Thursday said that he is hoping to scale up the manufacturing and production processes for small businesses.

Thailand Emphasizes Maritime Boundary as a Key Focus in UNCLOS Talks

Sep 17, 2026

Thailand Emphasizes Maritime Boundary as a Key Focus in UNCLOS Talks

Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister emphasized maritime boundary delimitation as key in UNCLOS proceedings with Cambodia, while addressing land border tensions and confirming readiness for upcoming meetings in The Hague. Key Points Deputy Prime Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow emphasized Thailand’s commitment to maritime boundary delimitation in conciliation proceedings with Cambodia under UNCLOS, following the first Commission meeting […]

Who’s in control of Japanese monetary policy? Tokyo or Washington?

Sep 17, 2026

Who’s in control of Japanese monetary policy? Tokyo or Washington?

Before the unexpected intervention in Japan’s foreign exchange market by the US Treasury Department on July 31 – the first time both countries joined forces to support the yen via outright purchases since 1998 – the probability of the Bank of Japan raising interest rates at its policy meeting on September 17-18 was less than 30 per cent. Fast forward to today, and the chances of an increase have shot up to almost 100 per cent. In fact, expectations have shifted so dramatically that bond markets...

How Hong Kong’s new 5-year plan courts global capital with an eye on market dominance

Sep 17, 2026

How Hong Kong’s new 5-year plan courts global capital with an eye on market dominance

Hong Kong is broadening its equity markets, deepening its offshore yuan business and expanding further into gold trading under its first five-year plan for economic and social development, as the city seeks to defend its standing as Asia’s top financial centre and close the gap with London. Unveiled on Wednesday by Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu alongside his 2026 policy address, the blueprint outlines a package of financial plans to “consolidate and enhance Hong Kong’s status as an...

ASEAN economic ministers back PH bid to host creative center

Sep 17, 2026

ASEAN economic ministers back PH bid to host creative center

The Philippines is seeking to host the planned ASEAN Center of Excellence for Creative Industries (ACE-CI), with the country targeting its launch by 2028.

Huawei quickens AI chip pace, promises next entrant 3 quarters early

Sep 17, 2026

Huawei quickens AI chip pace, promises next entrant 3 quarters early

Huawei Technologies said on Thursday that it would launch its next-generation artificial intelligence chip in the first quarter of 2027, moving the target launch forward by nine months as the firm aggressively expands its ecosystem amid China’s self-sufficiency push. David Wang Tao, rotating and acting chairman for Huawei, said on Thursday that the Ascend 960DT chip, an AI chip designed for model training, “with performance doubling”, would be “ready in the first quarter of 2027”, three quarters...

Exchange Fund weighs bigger gold holdings to support Hong Kong’s trading hub plan

Sep 17, 2026

Exchange Fund weighs bigger gold holdings to support Hong Kong’s trading hub plan

Hong Kong’s Exchange Fund, the war chest used to defend the local currency, is considering increasing its exposure to gold and other precious metals as part of the government’s push to develop the city into a gold trading hub. Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) chief executive Eddie Yue Wai-man said on Thursday that the Exchange Fund would continue to invest mainly in US dollar assets to support the Hong Kong dollar’s peg with the US currency. Yue said the Exchange Fund could increase its...

Exclusion of motorcycles, trikes from P60-B incentive for EVs questioned

Sep 17, 2026

Exclusion of motorcycles, trikes from P60-B incentive for EVs questioned

Ahead of its planned rollout, the Philippines’ P60-billion incentive scheme for electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers is facing pushback from a leading industry group, which questioned why the program is focused on four-wheeled vehicles and excluded motorcycles and tricycles. Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (Evap) president Willy Tee Ten said he was puzzled as to

Hong Kong to support rocket, satellite IPOs as SpaceX-led sector takes off

Sep 17, 2026

Hong Kong to support rocket, satellite IPOs as SpaceX-led sector takes off

Hong Kong aims to adjust listing rules to grab a share of initial public offerings by mainland China’s space companies, in line with Beijing’s priorities and heightened activity in the sector following the blockbuster June listing by Elon Musk’s SpaceX. That could lead to more head-to-head competition between the Hong Kong stock exchange and the Shanghai Stock Exchange, which is now drawing a majority of applications, including commercial space launch providers and reusable rocket makers CAS...

AI transforming, not cutting PH outsourcing jobs – study

Sep 17, 2026

AI transforming, not cutting PH outsourcing jobs – study

The artificial intelligence (AI) boom has not yet caused a decline in the Philippines’ service-export revenues or employment, ING Bank N.V. said, arguing that AI is so far changing what gets outsourced rather than reducing demand for outsourced work. In a report, Deepali Bhargava, head of Asia-Pacific research at ING, said there was evidence that

Gov’t spending yet to pick up pace

Sep 17, 2026

Gov’t spending yet to pick up pace

MANILA, Philippines — Government budget releases remained slightly behind last year’s pace by end-August, putting greater pressure on agencies to accelerate spending in the remaining months of 2026. Latest data from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) showed that allotment releases had reached 94.1 percent, or P6.391 trillion of the P6.793-trillion budget in the

DBS bets on strong PH growth rebound but flags energy risk

Sep 17, 2026

DBS bets on strong PH growth rebound but flags energy risk

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines has the potential to grow by an average of 5.8 percent a year from 2026 through 2035, according to DBS Bank Ltd., though it warned that the country’s heavy reliance on imported energy could weigh on that expansion. In a report copublished with Bain & Company and Vriens & Partners,

Toyota protests exclusion of hybrid cars from TNVS slots

Sep 17, 2026

Toyota protests exclusion of hybrid cars from TNVS slots

MANILA, Philippines — Toyota Motor Philippines Corp., is questioning the exclusion of hybrid electric vehicles (EVs) from the 7,500 new ride-hailing slots in Metro Manila opened by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB). Under Memorandum Circular No. 2026-084, which took effect on Aug. 27, the LTFRB allocated additional Transport Network Vehicle Service (TNVS) slots

Lower rice, corn harvests expected in Q3

Sep 17, 2026

Lower rice, corn harvests expected in Q3

MANILA, Philippines — Production of palay (unmilled rice) and corn could post double-digit declines this third quarter, according to the latest estimates of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), with smaller harvest areas expected to gnaw on output. Based on standing crops as of Aug. 1, the PSA estimated palay production in the July-to-September period at 3.19

Excise tax hikes seen to push 2027 inflation to 4.5%

Sep 17, 2026

Excise tax hikes seen to push 2027 inflation to 4.5%

MANILA, Philippines — An increase in excise tax on sweetened beverages, alcohol and tobacco could push inflation to as high as 4.5 percent in 2027, adding to price pressures as the country continues to grapple with the oil shock fallout. This is according to Chinabank Research’s latest commentary, which said the tax increases proposed by the

BSP to tighten disciplinary actions vs erring banks, officials

Sep 17, 2026

BSP to tighten disciplinary actions vs erring banks, officials

MANILA, Philippines — The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is proposing a more streamlined process for disciplining errant banks and their directors, officers and employees, with penalties ranging from reprimands and fines to suspension, removal from office and disqualification. The BSP is collecting comments from stakeholders on a draft circular that will spell out how the

‘Kiss’ for substandard steel bars 

Sep 17, 2026

‘Kiss’ for substandard steel bars 

The expression “Keep it simple, stupid (Kiss)” has been the advocacy of the Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI) in addressing the dangerous problem of substandard products, especially steel bars. Given climate change, this has become urgent; though some at the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) favor this, such as Assistant Secretary Regino Mallari, others

GCash IPO success goes beyond P10 price point, expert says

Sep 17, 2026

GCash IPO success goes beyond P10 price point, expert says

MANILA, Philippines — The success of GCash parent Mynt Inc.’s blockbuster initial public offering (IPO) should not be judged by whether it fetches the maximum P10-per-share price, as the quality of investors and demand after listing may prove more important. Capital market expert Jonathan Ravelas said the P10 maximum offer price in Mynt’s regulatory filing

Alternergy eyes P2B from maiden notes issuance

Sep 17, 2026

Alternergy eyes P2B from maiden notes issuance

MANILA, Philippines — Alternergy Holdings Corp., a listed renewable energy company, is making its debut in the debt market to raise P2 billion, as it rolls out more clean power facilities. The company on Wednesday said its board of directors had given the go-ahead to issue green fixed-rate notes worth P2 billion. READ: Alternergy inks

Standard Chartered sizes up Clark investment opportunities

Sep 17, 2026

Standard Chartered sizes up Clark investment opportunities

MANILA, Philippines — The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) is bringing in one of Asia’s oldest banks to scout investment and financing opportunities across its Clark properties, which form part of the foreign-backed Luzon Economic Corridor. Under a memorandum of understanding, Standard Chartered Bank Philippines—the first foreign bank established in the country—will jointly study with

SM Prime, WWF enter 5th phase of conservation project

Sep 17, 2026

SM Prime, WWF enter 5th phase of conservation project

MANILA, Philippines — SM Prime Holdings Inc. has renewed its nearly two-decade partnership with World Wide Fund for Nature-Philippines (WWF-Philippines) to strengthen marine conservation efforts at Hamilo Coast in Nasugbu, Batangas. SM Prime said on Wednesday that, through leisure resort residences developer Costa del Hamilo Inc. (CDHI), it entered the fifth phase of the Hamilo Coast

Meralco unit tapped for Filinvest’s EV needs

Sep 17, 2026

Meralco unit tapped for Filinvest’s EV needs

MANILA, Philippines — Filinvest Group has tapped the green mobility subsidiary of Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) to equip its properties with solutions supporting electric vehicles (EVs). In a statement on Wednesday, Movem Electric Inc. said the partnership would cover the deployment of EV requirements across Filinvest’s commercial, residential and office developments. READ: Toyota cautious but

Grab takes the reins of fintech Atome Financial

Sep 17, 2026

Grab takes the reins of fintech Atome Financial

MANILA, Philippines — Grab is deepening its push into financial services with a $1.49-billion deal to acquire a controlling stake in Atome Financial, the Singapore-based buy now, pay later (BNPL) fintech that operates in the Philippines and four other Southeast Asian markets. On Tuesday, Grab said it would acquire a 60-percent equity interest in Atome Financial

Hong Kong stocks decline after Fed raises interest rates and signals more to come

Sep 17, 2026

Hong Kong stocks decline after Fed raises interest rates and signals more to come

Stocks in Hong Kong and mainland China fell on Thursday, after the US Federal Reserve raised interest rates for the first time in three years and signalled that further tightening remained on the table. The benchmark Hang Seng Index dropped 0.4 per cent to 24,604.29 at the close. The Hang Seng Tech Index lost 0.3 per cent. Rate-sensitive stocks such as property developers and gold producers led the decline. On the mainland, the CSI 300 Index slipped 0.5 per cent, while the chip-heavy Star Market...

Gold rebounds after Fed rate rise as banks back long-term demand outlook

Sep 17, 2026

Gold rebounds after Fed rate rise as banks back long-term demand outlook

Gold prices bounced back after the US Federal Reserve’s interest rate increase, as analysts and investment banks maintained a positive long-term outlook for the metal, citing structural challenges facing the world’s largest economy. Spot gold traded at US$4,326 an ounce at 4pm on Thursday in Hong Kong, up 1.52 per cent since the market opened at noon. The bullion once dived as much as 2.7 per cent to US$4,234 at 3am in Hong Kong, right after the Fed meeting. The US central bank announced a...

US rate increase should only have short-term impact on Hong Kong stocks: CICC

Sep 17, 2026

US rate increase should only have short-term impact on Hong Kong stocks: CICC

Hong Kong stocks could face greater volatility from renewed US monetary tightening, but the impact should be short-lived unless the Federal Reserve embarks on a sustained rate-increase cycle, according to China International Capital Corporation (CICC). The Fed rate increase would not necessarily spell losses for Hong Kong stocks, as monetary conditions were only one of several factors driving the market, said Liu Gang, chief offshore China and overseas strategist and managing director at CICC...

After US rate hikes, HKMA says Hong Kong dollar could come under pressure

Sep 16, 2026

After US rate hikes, HKMA says Hong Kong dollar could come under pressure

The Hong Kong dollar may come under pressure against the US dollar after the first interest rate rise in three years, but the city does not face a heightened bad-debt risk despite higher borrowing costs, according to the head of the city’s de facto central bank. Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) chief executive Eddie Yue Wai-man said the US Federal Reserve’s rate rise on Thursday would widen the gap between the market interest rates of the US dollar and the Hong Kong dollar, encouraging more...

Thailand Business News — Morning Briefing : Thailand & Asia | 17 September 2026

Sep 16, 2026

Thailand Business News — Morning Briefing : Thailand & Asia | 17 September 2026

Thailand seeks Trump meeting to unlock trade deal as US tariff pressure remains high Thailand has proposed a meeting between Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and US President Donald Trump in New York on September 17 or 18, with bilateral trade negotiations and tariff rates at the centre of the agenda. Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun said […]

PSEi drops below 6,000 on slower growth, geopolitical woes

Sep 16, 2026

PSEi drops below 6,000 on slower growth, geopolitical woes

MANILA, Philippines — Local stocks fell below the 6,000 level on Wednesday as investor fears of sluggish local economic growth and geopolitical conflicts deepened. The Philippine Stock Exchange Index (PSEi) plunged by 1.51 percent, or 90.84 points, to close at 5,916.94. READ: GDP growth seen to underperform target The broader All Shares also fell by

Prometheum Capital, HashKey Digital Asset Group, and Velocity Capital Sign Binding MOU to Internationalize Tokenized U.S. Equities

Sep 16, 2026

Prometheum Capital, HashKey Digital Asset Group, and Velocity Capital Sign Binding MOU to Internationalize Tokenized U.S. Equities

[The content of this article has been produced by our advertising partner.]  NEW YORK – SEPT. 16, 2026 – Prometheum Inc. (“Prometheum”), a market infrastructure provider for crypto assets, today announced that its subsidiary Prometheum Capital LLC (“Prometheum Capital”), an SEC-registered, FINRA member crypto asset custodian and clearing broker-dealer, has signed a binding memorandum of understanding (“MOU”) with HashKey Digital Asset Group Limited (“HashKey”) and Velocity Capital, LLC...

Recommended