Economy

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. says the country's first sovereign wealth fund will boost economic growth.
Economy

Philippines sovereign wealth fund plan wins key Senate approval

Marcos' pet Maharlika Investment Fund stoked debate over funding, corruption fears

31 May 2023
Shoppers look at flowers at Dangwa Flower Market in Manila on February 13. (Photo by Josefiel Rivera/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
11 May 2023
Leaders of ASEAN countries pose for photos during the opening of the 42nd ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia on May 10.
Economy

ASEAN's patchy economic growth suggests long road to recovery

At regional summit, leaders discuss how to push bloc past COVID pains

10 May 2023
Workers scale bars at a construction site in Manila on March 22, 2021. 
Economy

Philippine workers seek hike in minimum wage amid inflation

Growth has been strong, but workers say rising prices are eroding earnings

5 April 2023
A truck transports a container at a port in Shandong province, China. Economists expect exports of goods and services to China to support ASEAN economies.
Economy

Thai, Malaysian outlooks improve on tourism, China recovery: JCER

Economists say U.S. bank fallouts emerge as new concern for Asia

2 April 2023
The Philippine central bank has yet to hit its target inflation range of 2% to 4%.
Economy

Philippine central bank slows rate hike to 25 basis points

Move comes amid stubbornly high inflation, global banking uncertainties

23 March 2023
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is promoting the Maharlika Investment Fund with an eye on his legacy, some observers say.
Asia Insight

Maharlika Investment Fund provides 'make or break' test for Marcos

Amid opposition and historical baggage, president pushes sovereign wealth fund

14 March 2023
Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Cebu City on Feb. 27: The Philippine president has managed to discard his predecessor's foreign policy legacy without triggering any major political backlash.
Opinion

Marcos has work to do at home after his diplomatic successes

Philippine military and investment environment both in need of major overhaul

10 March 2023
Consumers in Japan are paying more for eggs and foods that use them. (Photo by Nozomu Ogawa) 
Food & Beverage

Japan egg prices surge on bird flu, costs of feed and labor

Beef bowls, mayonnaise get more expensive; Taiwan, Philippines also affected

23 February 2023
A view of Manila's port. The Philippine Senate ratified the free trade agreement after the president advocated for more imports of agricultural products to tame inflation.
Trade

Philippines ratifies RCEP trade deal after shift by Marcos

Business groups cheer Senate's approval as step to boost competitiveness

22 February 2023
Drought in Cambodia is expected to reduce Vietnam's supply of rice, hindering its ability to export more of the staple to the Philippines.
Agriculture

Thai rice exports to Philippines set to double as Vietnam cuts back

Fresh demand to help boost Bangkok's annual trade in staple to 8.2 million tons

16 February 2023
Onions are displayed at a public market in Manila in January, when inflation hit a 14-year high of 8.7%.
Economy

Philippines raises key interest rate to 6%, Indonesia holds steady

Manila's hike of 50 basis points follows fastest price rises in 14 years

16 February 2023
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. poses for a portrait after an interview on Feb. 12 in Tokyo. (Photo by Yuki Kohara) 
Interview

Transcript: Philippine President Marcos speaks with Nikkei Asia

Leader explains South China Sea and Taiwan tensions, U.S. and Japan defense deals

13 February 2023
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. speaks in Tokyo on Feb. 9. (File photo by Reuters) 
Trade

Marcos says Philippines to ratify RCEP free trade deal 'soon'

President courts Japanese investors on third day of Tokyo visit

10 February 2023
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., left, shakes hands with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida before a bilateral meeting in Tokyo on Feb. 9. (Photo by Uichiro Kasai) 
International relations

Philippines, Japan pledge to deepen security and economic ties

Two nations edge toward a troop deployment deal in face of Chinese threat

9 February 2023
A vegetable vendor tends to her shop at a market in Manila. Rising food prices are contributing to the country's surging headline inflation rate.
Inflation

Philippine inflation hit 14-year high of 8.7% in January

Marcos calls result 'unfortunate'; focus turns to interest rate decision next week

7 February 2023
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s government says the privatization of state-run casinos could provide capital for a planned sovereign wealth fund. (Nikkei montage/Reuters)
Economy

Philippines weighs casino, power plant sale to seed wealth fund

Marcos' finance chief: 'a lot of government assets' can be privatized

27 January 2023
A public market in Manila in December. The Philippine economy grew 7.6% in 2022, exceeding the government's target.
Economy

Philippines' GDP growth accelerated to 7.6% in 2022

But expansion for final quarter of year slowed to 7.2%

26 January 2023
“I lose sleep every night over how to bring down inflation,” Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said in a TV interview on Jan. 23. (Nikkei montage/Yuichi Shiga/Kosaku Mimura/AFP/Jiji)
Inflation

Marcos calls Philippine food inflation an 'emergency situation'

President signals need for more imports to stem price rises

24 January 2023
The resumption of a large-scale, face-to-face congregation, where thousands convene from over 130 countries and regions, in its traditional January slot signals a return to normalcy, after the world was hit by the COVID pandemic.
Davos 2023

Davos returns to normal form for 1st time since COVID

South Korean and Philippine leaders to attend, China to send Liu He

16 January 2023
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. plans a "soft launch" for his planned sovereign wealth fund when he attends the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, next week. (Nikkei montage/Reuters)
Economy

Marcos plans Philippine wealth fund 'soft launch' at Davos

President's Switzerland trip won't revive issue of ill-gotten riches, official says

12 January 2023
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., right, walks with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, on Jan. 4.
Trade

Marcos snags $22.8bn in investment pledges on China trip

South China Sea dispute takes center stage in state visit to Beijing

5 January 2023
A medical worker provides instructions at a mobile fever clinic in Huaian, China, on Dec. 25. The country's COVID-19 management is a key factor for Asia's economic outlook.
Interview

Asian ties can fuel growth amid Ukraine, China risks: ADB economist

Albert Park says region still has 'strong commitment to openness and integration'

29 December 2022
Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Manila on Oct. 5: The Philippine president is prioritizing a tired idea from yesteryear rather than forging a new path.
Opinion

Marcos' wealth fund is wrong cure for Philippine economy

Even if managed well, it will not address poverty, inflation or corruption

29 December 2022
SSI Group, the Philippines' largest retailer of luxury brands, is headed for a banner year as consumers free of pandemic restrictions resume shopping. (Photo by Yuichi Shiga)
Retail

Philippine luxury retailer eyes record sales on revenge spending

SSI Group sells brands from Armani to Zara but fears inflation, recession

22 December 2022