Business

By Riza Lozada Local insurer Philippine American Life and General Insurance (Philam Life) will join major investments to put up infrastructure as part of its aim to help the local economy to reach its full potential.

The government is cracking down on “informal money lenders” or the so-called loan sharks including those engaged in the 5-6 scheme who usually charge exorbitant interest rates or victimize borrowers through fraud, falsification and harassment.

Inflation for October is expected to remain within target despite the country being hit by two successive typhoons, BSP Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo said.

The European Central Bank’s (ECB) decision to maintain interest rates will buoy the region’s economy, which in turn will benefit the Philippines, a Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) official said.

Shakey’s Pizza Asia Ventures Inc (SPAVI), the operator of the Shakey’s pizza chain of stores, is targeting to raise up to P5.5 billion through an initial public offering this year.

Rival mall operators SM Prime Holdings and Robin­son’s of the Gokongwei group are planning to put up sepa­rate mall projects in Legazpi City, Albay starting with the P1.5-billion SM City Legaz­pi which will break ground in January next year.

Global port operator Inter­national Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) recently opened the first phase of its new greenfield terminal develop­ment at its Basra Gateway Ter­minal in the North Port, Umm Qasr, Iraq.

Globe Telecom President and CEO Ernest Cu retained kept the distinc­tion of being one of the most powerful telecommunication executives in the world following his inclusion on the elite list of Global Telecoms Business Power 100 for 2016.

The country’s top lenders are not pro­viding enough lend­ings to agricultural projects as required under the Agri-Agra Law.

BDO Unibank Inc. (BDO), the country’s largest lender, recently received the Institu­tional Investors Governance Awards given to companies that scored high marks in the Asean Corporate Governance Scorecard (ACGS) in the re­cent Investors Forum.