EU businesses eye expansion in PH: survey
Based on the 2024 Business Sentiment Survey conducted by the ECCP, 85.30 percent of respondents say they expect their level of trade and investment to increase over the next 4 years.

Marcos signs laws on tourism, agriculture, education
President Marcos signed into law measures for agriculture, tourism, and education. They are the Amendments to the Agricultural Tariffication Act (RA 12078), the Value-Added Tax Refund for Non-Resident Tourists (RA 12079), & the Basic Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act (RA 12080).

PHL ranks second-most attractive emerging market for RE investment
The Philippines ranked as the second-most attractive emerging market for renewable energy (RE) investment, according to the 2024 Climatescope report by BloombergNEF. The Philippines climbed two spots to second spot out of 110 emerging markets.

DTI identifies ‘most binding constraints’ to PHL industry
The DTI has identified lack of skilled workers, absence of technology for harvesting and processing of agricultural produce, among others, as the “most binding constraints” to industry growth in the country.

SEIPI sees flat export growth in ’25
Philippine exports of semiconductor and electronic products are likely to be flat in 2025 amid a slump in demand, SEIPI said.

Denmark, PHL agree on new cooperation areas
Denmark and the Philippines have agreed to work more closely on maritime security, cybersecurity, ethical deployment of Filipino nurses, and training Filipino seafarers towards decarbonization. An MOU was also signed to promote key areas of ICT, such as cybersecurity and e-governance.

Tourist arrivals hit 5.3M
The Philippines welcomed 5.3 million tourists in January to November, an increase of 9.53 percent from 4.88 million in the same period in 2023, data from the Department of Tourism (DOT) showed.

Trade-restrictive measures, not Trump 2.0, bug exporters
Philippine exporters are more worried over the rising trade-restrictive measures on goods globally than the second regime of President-elect Donald Trump, who floated the possibility of slapping blanket tariffs on the US’ imported goods, according to the Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. (Philexport).

‘Significant progress’ in Philippine road to nuclear energy
The Philippines has made significant progress in its pursuit of nuclear energy, though further work is needed on its strategy, according to an assessment issued by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The assessment also tackled the need for access to financing, innovative technology, and resilient infrastructure to support a “just energy transition.”

Central bank likely to continue easing despite inflation uptick, say analysts
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) will likely continue its rate-cutting cycle despite the slight uptick in November inflation, analysts said. However, risks such as the weakening of the peso could prompt the central bank to be more cautious about further easing.

PHL seeks $1-B World Bank loan for resilient agri
The Philippines is seeking a $1-billion World Bank loan to boost agrifood productivity and resiliency in the face of challenges posed by climate change. The project cost is expected to amount to $12.90 billion over 2025-2029. The World Bank will finance $1 billion while the government will provide P11.90 billion.

PH corporate earnings slow to 5% growth amid high inflation
Philippine corporate earnings grew more slowly in the first nine months of the year due to weaknesses in the consumer, property, and power sectors caused by high inflation. According to COL Financial Group Inc.’s latest Philippine Market Strategy report, listed companies saw a 5 percent growth from January to September, a decline from 10.5% in the first quarter and 9.6 percent in the first half.

VAT refund for foreign tourists makes PH global shopping spot – PBBM
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday signed into law RA 12079, or the VAT Refund for Non-Resident Tourists, which provides refund of Value Added Tax (VAT) for foreign tourists to attract more travelers and position the country as a “premier global shopping destination.”

NNIC predicts surge in passengers to 4.3M for Christmas-New Year holidays
Holiday passenger traffic at the Philippines’s premier international gateway is projected to reach 4.31 million, up 11.7 percent from the past season’s 3.86 million.

AirFrance now flies to Philippines
French flag carrier AirFrance flew non-stop direct from Paris to Manila Sunday, December 8. France hopes that with this new route, there will be an increase in tourists, student exchanges and economic activities between two countries.

‘Agri policy tweaks to bolster PHL food security’
Greater government support through the amendments to the Agricultural Tariffication Act of 1996 will allow planters to increase the nation’s rice output, Senate President Chiz Escudero said on Sunday. Senate Bill (SB) 2779, which will be signed into law on December 9, will ensure that farmers receive farm machinery, free inbred certified seeds, and other interventions.

Marcos signs law institutionalizing mental health program in basic education
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday signed the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act to institutionalize mental and well-being programs for basic education learners and teaching personnel.