The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business

By Luis Leoncio A Chinese state-owned metal producer is expected to set off the stream of new Chinese investments in the Philippines with a $700-million project that is part of the $13.5-billion commitments obtained during President Duterte’s recent four-day state visit to China.

The transportation committee of the House of Representatives currently thrashing out the proposal to grant emergency powers to President Duterte to solve the country’s traffic crisis is inclined to limit the scope of the sought-after authority.

A successful and efficient implementation of the Duterte administration’s tax-reform and infrastructure-development plans will boost the Philippines’ credit rating, credit watchdog Moody’s Investors Service said.

President Duterte’s recent state visit to Brunei Darussalam is expected to enhance diplomatic and economic relations between the Philippines and Brunei, global port operator International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) said.

By Riza Lozada The Court of Appeals (CA) has given the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC), the state anti-trust body, until Oct. 29 to reply to the urgent motion of Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. Inc. (PLDT) for the issuance of a gag order in relation to the review of the P70-billion mega deal involving the acquisition by PLDT and Globe …

By Luis Leoncio The refusal of exclusive villages in Metro Manila to allow the installation of cell sites within their respective areas has hampered efforts to improve the coverage and internet experience of subscribers, according to telecommunications companies Smart Communications, Inc. and Globe Telecom Inc.

By Riza Lozada Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. (PSPC) alloted a total of 27.5 million shares for purchase of local small investors (LSI) under the Local Small Investors Program, and 55 million common shares have been allocated for purchase through trading participants of the Philippine Stock Exchange, Inc. (PSE) in the company’s initial public offering (IPO).

Global port operator International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) successfully repurchased $345.5 million of its outstanding perpetual securities through a tender offer funded by the issuance of new senior perpetual securities worth $375 million.

Kickstart Ventures, a wholly-owned venture capital firm of Globe Telecom, invited local startups to participate in the second installment of Singtel Innov8’s global call to create innovative solutions for real world business challenges.

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.