The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business

A new Korean-American restaurant – WEST 32 – has opened along Kalayaan Avene, Makati’s central food and bar district. WEST 32, the latest project of Notorious Concepts, aims to bring the well-loved Korean taste to the Philippines. Its name was inspired by New York City’s Korea-Town street, WEST 32. The concept of the restaurant came from Brooklyn Industries Group’s CEO …

As the annual Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development or APFSD of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission of Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) kicked off in Bangkok, Thailand, advocacy groups Reality of Aid-Asia Pacific (RoA-AP), Council for People’s Development and Governance (CPDG), and CSO Partnership for Development Effectiveness-Asia (CPDE Asia) held a side event via Zoom and Facebook Live. …

In the country’s participation in Maison & Objet and More (MOM), the online sourcing platform of long-running Parisian trade fair Maison & Objet, three featured products caught the eye of international tastemakers and will be showcased at the Parc des Expositions of Paris-Nord Villepinte. Part of the Design Philippines delegation organized by the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions …

While only motorcycles with 400 cc and above engine displacement are currently allowed entry into expressways, the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) is currently considering lowering the engine size limit to access major tollways. During the online Kapihan media forum, Atty. Alvin Carullo, TRB Executive Director, and Joz Carlos Ordillano, TRB Regulation Division chief, admitted studying the possibility of allowing motorcycles …

President Rodrigo Duterte has appointed familiar names as the ethnographic commissioner of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples or NCIP. Manobo tribe Princess Jennifer Limpayen Sibug-Las was once again appointed as the NCIP’s commissioner for Central Mindanao since taking over the same position in 2019. Sibug-Las lead the oplan bayanihan first stranded IPs during the surge of covid-19 pandemic in …

Lazada’s Epic 10th Birthday Sale is just around the corner–this means exciting deals and incredible treats await OPPO shoppers in this once-in-a-year event. And yes, this time, you will get first dibs on the best deals as OPPO offers up to 57% off on selected OPPO gadgets, such as Reno7 5G, A16 (3GB), and A94. Starting this March 27, you …

The Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) officially turned over 1.36 billion shares of common stock worth P136.2 billion to the National Government, following the unprecedented capital infusions extended to the Bank since June 2016.  President Rodrigo R. Duterte received the stock certification from Finance Secretary and LANDBANK Chairman Carlos G. Dominguez III, together with LANDBANK President and CEO Cecilia …

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) officially launched their satellite branch at SM Southmall’s Government Services Express (GSE) on March 24 to make drivers’ license renewals easier and more accessible to Southies. Southies can now renew their licenses and apply for student permits in the mall, all while shopping and doing other errands. They just need to bring their medical certificates …

President Rodrigo Duterte signed into law amendments to the 85-year-old Public Service Act that would allow foreigners full ownership of local airlines, telecommunications, mass media, railways and logistical or shipping operators. Republic Act 11659 removed the 40% equity cap on foreigners in public utility companies, while aiming to generate jobs and spur activity in the aftermath of the pandemic’s grave …

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin E. Diokno reported that the Philippines’ outstanding external debt (EDT) remains at a prudent level as its ratio to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) recorded at 27.0% at end-December 2021. The ratio remains one of the lowest as compared to other ASEAN member countries. The country’s EDT expressed as a percentage of GDP is a …