Business

Sluggish economic growth in the Asia-Pa­cific region in 2016 is a key risk for banks in the region, credit watch­dog Standard and Poor’s Ratings Services (S&P) said in a report.

By Jerry Maglunog Big banks, particularly universal banks (unibanks), have a natural edge over smaller banks when it comes to lending opportunities particularly on big-ticket projects, a Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) official said.

By Riza Lozada Enterprise application software provider SAP volunteered 74,500 service hours in over 36 countries for social engagement and leadership development for 2015, said Scott Russel, interim president and managing director for SAP Southeast Asia.

The country must continue to invest in renewable energy to achieve the global commitment signed at the 2015 Paris Climate Conference (COP21) to reduce global greenhouse gas emission in which the country is a signatory, Repower Energy Development Corp., (REDC) Chief Executive Officer Dexter Tiu said ahead of the celebration of the World Sustainable Energy Days.

Enchanted Kingdom (EK) recently launched “Eldar’s Magical Charity Tour,” its corporate social re­sponsibility (CSR) project in celebration of its 20th anniversary.

The Consulate General of San Marino in the Philippines, in partnership with The Book­mark Inc., has produced a book that will help orphans and adoptive parents prepare for the adoption process. On Feb. 5, a memo­randum of agreement was signed that made official the publication and distribution of the book, titled Yehey, May Pamilya na Ring Mag-aaruga sa Akin!’ Spearheading …

The Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) has released new rules for listed firms to qualify for the PSE index—the gauge for the performance of the local stock market.

Fastfood giant Jollibee Foods Corp. (JFC) has acquired full ownership through its international unit of the Chinese supplier of its operations in China after JFC engaged in an equity and asset swap deal worth P500 million.

Property conglomerate Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) has paid 25 percent of its P5.625 billion common shares subscription into Prime Orion Philippines Inc. (POPI) equivalent to 51.06 percent of total outstanding shares.

Listed Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) said its core earnings reached P18.9 billion in 2015, up four percent from P18.1 billion in 2014.