The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business

The government is seeking a change in the development classification of countries, as the Philippines, which has been elevated to the rank of middle-income nations, had resulted in lesser aid from rich countries. 

By Luis Leoncio Judging by the result of the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual review through its Global Competitiveness Index (GCI), the last year of President Aquino was a disappointing flop, as the Philippines, out of 138 countries, slipped 10 notches to rank 57th on competitiveness, from 47th place last year. 

Business groups are monitoring the developments on the global front, as several indicators point to trade prospects on a downturn that could aggravate problems in the international container-line industry, especially with the collapse of South Korean giant Hanjin Shipping Co. Ltd. 

By Riza Lozada Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. (PSPC), a unit of Royal Dutch Shell, hopes to raise up to P2.7 billion in its initial public offer (IPO) through the issuance of 300 million shares including 30 million in new shares at an indicative price of 90 each.

The New Muara Container Terminal Services Sdn. Bhd. (NMCTS), a unit of International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) and port services provider at the Port of Muara in Brunei, was recently honored at the 7th CMO Asia’s Best Employer Brand Awards 2016 in Singapore.

The Board of Investments (BOI) again hosted the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Automotive Dialogue (AD), a sectoral working group under the Committee on Trade and Investment (CTI) that serves as a forum for Apec member economy officials and senior industry representatives to work together to map-out strategies for increasing the integration and development of the automotive sector within the region. …

Media giant ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp. and Philippine Long Distance Telephone (PLDT) Inc. have former a partnership to offer iWant TV, ABS-CBN’s pioneering video-on-demand service, to subscribers of PLDT and its mobile unit Smart.

The recent “reemergence” of former President Noynoy Aquino (aka PNoy or President Noy during his term) appears to have triggered both curiosity and suspicion among keen political observers. 

Imagine me rooted under the eaves of our apartment gate on learning that Divo’s and Dili’s care topped the divorce settlement of my neighbors, Don and Dee Ann —especially Dili’s special needs (with snow-white fur and sky-blue eyes, he’s deaf), in lieu of child support, as well the two-and-a-half bedroom apartment—one, being theirs, has been awarded to Dee Ann, too, …

Washington—China’ s currency, the renminbi (RMB), is breaking the financial world’ s ultimate glass ceiling and embarking on a new journey toward global reserve status when it formally joins the elite currency club of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Saturday.