Investors are adopting a wait and see attitude before pouring their money into the country (or what is termed as foreign direct investments) to get a clearer picture of the policies of the succeeding administration. They also watch basic indicators like inflation trends, economic output, fiscal deficit, debt level and dollar buffers.

Holding back!  Investors would wait for election outcome before bringing in money

Financial regulators are throwing their full support to the Financial Consumer Protection Act—now pending with the Senate— in view of mounting complaints filed against cyberthieves and data theft and online scams.

BSP, SEC back proposed measure on financial consumer protection

Government economic planners are still hopeful that the country would reach middle income status in two years despite surges in infections from coronavirus which had affected productivity with more workers getting sick. They are also confident that the target of GDP growth of 7 to 9 percent can be met.

PH eyes high-income status; private sector told to increase productivity

The economy will no doubt grow this year but at 6 to 7 percent only or below the government’s target of 7 to 9 percent. Economists have different projection as to the rate but they are unanimous in projecting that government’s target can’t be met with Omicron and inflation and other global risks.

Economists see GDP growth at 6-7% only this year

Think tank Fitch Solutions said the 2022 deficit would likely narrow to 7.9 percent of gross domestic products from 8.3 percent last year. It also expects the debt-to-GDP ratio to rise to 69.2 percent in 2022. To compare, the debt-to-GDP ratio was 63.1 percent as of September last year.

Looming problem: Fitch raises PH budget deficit forecast

Economic managers are planning to scale down borrowings starting this year as part of its debt consolidation plan, as experts warn the rising debt could lead to a credit downgrade for the Philippines.



Govt. borrowings reach P2.78-T as of November 2021

The country’s gross international reserves—despite the higher valuation of its gold holdings— rose slightly or by 1.08 percent in December over its level in November of $107.723 billion but it was 1.11 percent less than the record $110.117 billion at end-2020. Still, this is below the projection of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas of $111 billion.

Coming up short; GIR drops below BSP forecast

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas warned anyone involved in the printing of images bearing the facsimile or likeness of Philippine banknotes with legal action. BSP Circular No. 829 series of 2014 provides imprisonment of five to 10 years to those caught in this illegal activity.

BSP warns against printing images of PH banknotes

Analysts said that the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand, which are heavily dependent on international tourism, will have substantial economic scarring this year and that the Philippines and Indonesia will be the laggards in economic recovery in the region.

Unwelcome forecast: PH faces substantial economic scarring

Despite the risk posed by the Omicron variant to the economy, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno is optimistic that the country would still hit its growth target of 7 to 9 percent this year because of stable fundamentals.

BSP still hopeful of reaching growth goals despite Omicron

Unwelcome forecast PH faces substantial economic scarring photo BusinessWorld Online

PH eyes high-income status; private sector told to increase productivity photo BusinessWorld Online

Looming problem Fitch raises PH budget deficit forecast photo BusinessMirror

Economists see GDP growth at 6-7% only this year photo InvestAsian

BSP still hopeful of reaching growth goals despite Omicron photo iMoney.ph

Govt. borrowings reach P2.78-T as of November 2021 photo Philippine Star

BSP, SEC back proposed measure on financial consumer protection photo BusinessWorld Online

Coming up short; GIR drops below BSP forecast photo BusinessWorld Online

Holding back!  Investors would wait for election outcome before bringing in money photo BusinessWorld Online

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