Industry News - Feb 23, 2015

INDUSTRY NEWS
February 23, 2015
Cacao Offers PH Sweet Growth Prospects
Philippine Daily Inquirer / 2:28 AM | February 22, 2015
http://business.inquirer.net/187202/cacao-offers-ph-sweet-growth-prospects
Filipinos need to explore cacao’s potential as a major export commodity to points in North America and
Europe, according to Alyssa Jade McDonald-Bartl, a social entrepreneur and founder of Blyss Chocolate.
“I am highly impressed with the cacao you grow here,” McDonald-Bartl recently told a group of Filipino
cacao farmers, chefs, and culinary business experts.
‘PH Can Be Top Cruise Stop’
Philippine Daily Inquirer / 6:55 AM | February 23, 2015
http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/185296/ph-can-be-top-cruise-stop
MANILA, Philippines—In line with its drive to boost tourism, the Philippines should promote itself as a top
cruising destination as it boasts 7,107 islands, most with pristine beaches and abundant marine
resources. But first the domestic boat industry needs a big push from government.
Boat builder Angelo Olondriz raised the matter on Friday on the first day of Sea-Ex 2015, a three-day
boat show and nautical lifestyle expo which ended on Sunday at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay
City.
BSP To Keep Steady Policy Stance For Now – Tetangco
Manila Bulletin by Lee C. Chipongian / February 22, 2015
http://www.mb.com.ph/bsp-to-keep-steady-policy-stance-for-now-tetangco/
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Amando M. Tetangco Jr. said disinflationary pressures and
divergence are the top two worriers for emerging market central banks including the Philippines for the
moment, but they still have the leeway to wait for other developments and keep policy stance steady for
quite awhile.
“While other emerging markets have begun to ease their monetary policy settings in view of their own
domestic considerations, we believe that our prevailing monetary policy stance remains appropriate,”
Tetangco told members of the Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines (EJAP) late Friday.
The central bank chief was also the inducting official for the new board of EJAP.
Phl, Saudi Arabia Business Group To Promote Trade Invesment
The Philippine Star by Louella D. Desiderio / Updated February 23, 2015 - 12:00am
http://www.philstar.com/business/2015/02/23/1426522/phl-saudi-arabia-business-group-promote-tradeinvesment
MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and the Ministry of
Commerce and Industry of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have agreed to work together to promote greater
trade and investment ties between the two countries.
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According to PCCI president Alfredo Yao, the PCCI recently met with Khalid S. Halawani Alsaid,
commercial attaché of Saudi Arabia based in Kuala Lumpur, and Ayman A. Bedaiwi, first secretary of the
Embassy of Saudi Arabia in the Philippines.
PHL Shares Programs, Best Practices On Technical Education To Cambodia
Business Mirror Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco / February 22, 2015
http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/phl-shares-programs-best-practices-on-technical-education-tocambodia/
Twenty high-level officials from Cambodia’s Ministry of Labor and Technical-Vocational Training and
National Training Board visited the Philippines to learn from the best practices of the Technical Education
and Skills Development Authority (Tesda).
From February 16 to 18, the Cambodia officials were exposed to the technical-vocational education and
training (TVET) programs of Tesda.
Metrobank Research Predicts Further 6-7% Rise In 2015
OFW Remittances To Drive Growth
Manila Times by Mayvelin U. Carabao / February 22, 2015 9:37 pm
http://www.manilatimes.net/ofw-remittances-to-drive-growth/164910/
Remittances by overseas Filipino workers (OFW) will rise a further 6 to 7 percent this year and provide a
major growth engine for the local economy against global headwinds, the research arm of Metropolitan
Bank and Trust Co. said.
A steady inflow of such remittances is seen coming from the United States, where economic growth is
expected to gain pace and make up for the slowdown in other developed economies which also empl oy
Filipino workers, Metrobank Research said in its latest report.
In its projection, the group said OFW cash remittances, or funds coursed through banks, may climb by a
faster 6 percent to 7 percent in 2015 from 5.8 percent in 2014.
Despite Drop In Global Oil Prices
BSP keeps 2015 inflation target
Manila Times by Mayvelin U. Caraballo / February 22, 2015 9:36 pm
http://www.manilatimes.net/bsp-keeps-2015-inflation-target/164908/
Despite the drop in global oil prices, which could trigger disinflation or a sharp slowdown in the rise of
consumer prices, the central bank is confident the Philippines’ headline inflation will stay within target, set
between 2 percent and 4 percent this year.
In his keynote speech during the 2015 Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines Board
Induction Ceremony over the weekend, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Amando Tetangco
Jr. said the global impact of significant declines in international oil prices will vary in scope and direction.
Low oil prices represent disinflation pressures for oil-importing countries such as the Philippines, which
already saw inflation slowing in recent months, he said.
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Strong Govt-Private Sector Ties In PH Supply Chain Urged
Manila Times by Rosalie C. Periabras / February 22, 2015 9:29 pm
http://www.manilatimes.net/strong-govt-private-sector-ties-in-ph-supply-chain-urged/164899/
The government and the private sector must now address the problems hounding the Philippine supply
chain industry, an official of the Department of Transportation and Communications said.
Transportation and Communications Undersecretary Julianito Bucayan Jr. told delegates at the recently
concluded 8th Ports and Shipping Conference in Manila that a sound and harmonious relationship
between the government and the private sector is key if the Philippines aims to become a major player in
global shipping and shipbuilding.
PAL Introduces Online Service For Rebooking
Philippine Daily Tribune / 20 February 2015 00:00
http://www.tribune.net.ph/business/pal-introduces-online-service-for-rebooking
Passengers with online-issued tickets can avail of Philippine Airlines’ “Manage My Booking” service for
rebooking of their flights and advance seat reservations.
Passengers can also add or purchase ancillary items, namely, choice and forward economy seats.
Flight rebooking and purchase of choice seats are subject to corresponding fees. Fare difference charges
may also apply.
All they simply have to do is log on to www.philippineairlines.com, press the Manage My Booking icon
and type in their booking reference and last name.
Office Work But No Classes On Feb. 25
Philippine Star by Delon Porcalla / 48 minutes ago
https://ph.news.yahoo.com/office-no-classes-feb-25-000000438.html
The 29th anniversary of the EDSA people power revolution that ousted the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos
in 1986 would be a regular working day for employees but there will be no classes in all levels,
Malacañang clarified yesterday.
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WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the
called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28
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