Subic Bay International Container Terminal Corp. (SBITC), a unit of global port operator International Container Terminal Services Inc.(ICTSI), recently received and commissioned three new reach stackers and 16 new Kalmar Ottawa terminal tractors. 

Banks in the Asia-Pacific region appear fairly well-padded against recent currency depreciations, according to a report, titled “Asia-Pacific Banks Seem Sufficiently Cushioned Against Currency Depreciation,” that Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services (S&P) recently released.

By Jerry Maglunog China’s yuan, now the world’s sixth most traded currency, is just a matter of months away from becoming the fifth unit in the special drawing rights (SDR), which will make it a currency acceptable for global use.

Washington—The head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said global growth will likely be weaker this year as the world economy confronts a host of problems, including a refugee crisis in Europe, an economic slowdown in China and a pending rise in US interest rates.

Lisbon, Portugal—When two Chinese companies appeared among the bidders to buy a troubled Portuguese bank this year, its staff took heart.

Washington— United States President Barack Obama vehemently rejected Russia’s military actions in Syria as self-defeating, and dismissed the idea that Moscow was strengthening its hand in the region. He vowed not to let the conflict become a US-Russia “proxy war.”

Kathmandu, Nepal—India’s unofficial blockade of Nepal has put a crunch on this Himalayan nation, with cars lining up for miles around gasoline stations, schools shutting down, vegetables in short supply and taxis charging four times the normal fare.

By Riza Lozada The Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. (Philexport) sought from the Philippine National Police (PNP) clear rules on the securing of permits for the importation and distribution of regulated chemicals. 

The Market Monitor salutes the contributions to the Philippines industrial landscape, of one of the pillars of the construction industry – the late Felipe F. Cruz Jr., who, unknown to many, subscribed to the wisdom of Abraham Lincoln. 

By Jerry Maglunog The power sector and infrastructure remain the most promising investment destination in the country because of the huge backlog in power and the continuing increase in population.