Business

The National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) stressed the need for better land governance and increased infrastructure investments in agriculture and rural areas, as these remain critical for productivity, job generation, and poverty reduction in many parts of the Philippines.

Megaworld, the country’s leader and pioneer in developing integrated urban townships, is opening two new hotels this year in its two townships in Metro Manila and Iloilo. Richmonde Hotel Iloilo, which will occupy eight levels of the 12-storey Richmonde Tower in the 72-hectare Iloilo Business Park in Mandurriao, Iloilo City, is set to open in June this year.

GT Capital Holdings Inc.’s (GTCAP) property development arm, Federal Land Inc., has entered into a joint venture agreement with Alveo Land Corp., a fully owned subsidiary of Ayala Land Inc., for the development of a 45-hectare property along Laguna Boulevard in Biñan, Laguna province.

By Jerry Maglunog As the market for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) remains so big at about 92 percent, more banks have pledged to increase their exposure to MSMEs as an admission that the sector is too huge to ignore.

Seoul—South Korea’s industrial activity weakened in March after growing the previous month on the back of reductions in production, investment and consumption, boosting concerns about economic slump, a government report showed.

Taipei—Taiwan’s nominal gross domestic product expanded year-on-year in the first quarter of 2015 by 3.46 percent, slightly lower than the official projection made in February, the island’s statistics agency said.

By Riza Lozada The resignation of former Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner John Phillip Sevilla was both controversial and an eye-opener for the business sector, as his departure was considered the result of industry groups resenting the aggressive BOC thrust to hike revenues lobbying against him.

Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) members need to go beyond commerce and financial assistance to address factors that impede the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) as well as post-2015 development priorities, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda).

By Jerry Maglunog Many are ecstatic about the 8,000-plus Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi), as they believe it is one of the indications that the Philippine economy is really growing.

Mass-housing developer 8990 Holdings Inc. has signed up the Walter Mart Group to operate malls in two of its mixed-used development projects in Metro Manila, 8990 Holdings Chief Executive Officer Januario Jesus Atencio said.