economy – Page 3 – Author Carlo Carrasco

Hitachi to Build $528-million Transformer Manufacturing Plant in America

September 17, 2026September 16, 2026carlocarrasco

Hitachi Energy Ltd. – a global leader in energy technology and electrification – announced yesterday that it will invest almost $530 million to construct a transformer manufacturing plant in the state of Mississippi in the United States, according to a news article by Jiji Press. The investment is to help meet the rising power demand as the use artificial intelligence (AI) keeps on rising.

Hitachi Energy Ltd. is the energy arm of the Hitachi Group with over a century of innovation, and a long list completed projects that helped people for their access to dependable energy.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the entire news article of Jiji Press. Some parts in boldface…

Hitachi Energy Ltd. said Wednesday that it will invest 528 million dollars to build a transformer manufacturing plant in Mississippi to meet surging U.S. power demand amid wider use of artificial intelligence.

The Swiss unit of Hitachi Ltd. expects the plant to more than double its production capacity compared with an existing transformer plant in Mississippi. Construction of the new plant will begin later this year, with production scheduled to start in 2029.

The new plant will be “the cornerstone” of Hitachi Energy’s 1.5-billion-dollar U.S. investment plan, the company said.

In September last year, Hitachi Energy said it would invest 1 billion dollars in the United States. It later expanded the plan as Japan pledged to make 550 billion dollars in investment and loans to the United States as part of a bilateral trade agreement.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you consider this new investment by Hitachi a crucial one in relation to the rising demand for power in the United States? Are you hoping that the bilateral trade agreement between the United States and Japan will create economic and energy breakthroughs for Americans in the near future?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

+++++

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Net Inflows Fall 18% in First Half of 2026

September 16, 2026September 10, 2026carlocarrasco

In what is clearly another sign that the Philippines is the economic weakling among the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), foreign direct investment (FDI) net inflows into the country fell by 18% during the first half of this year, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of the Manila Bulletin. Some parts in boldface…

Foreign direct investment (FDI) net inflows into the Philippines contracted 18 percent in the first half of the year to ₱211.3 billion from ₱257.5 billion recorded in the same period last year, weighed down by higher borrowing costs and geopolitical friction.

Data released on Thursday, Sept. 10, by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed that the cumulative six-month decline was driven by reduced intercompany borrowings and lower retained earnings, which undercut gains in net equity capital investments.

The central bank noted that FDI pulled back on intercompany lending to their domestic subsidiaries while retaining fewer earnings for local reinvestment.

Among individual components, net investments in debt instruments—which include intercompany borrowing between foreign investors and local affiliates—fell 26 percent in the first half to ₱128.8 billion from ₱173.8 billion a year earlier.

Reinvestment of earnings slipped 19 percent over the same period to ₱51.8 billion, compared with ₱64.4 billion in the previous year.

Michael Ricafort, chief economist at Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., said the cumulative decline in foreign inflows largely stemmed from the fallout of war in the Middle East.

Ricafort said the conflict fueled slower economic activity, sustained inflation, and elevated borrowing costs globally, ultimately raising the cost of direct investment.

Despite the broader downward momentum, net equity capital investments excluding reinvested earnings posted a sharp rebound, surging 59.4 percent to ₱30.6 billion from ₱19.2 billion a year ago. Total equity capital placements climbed to ₱45.3 billion, easily outpacing ₱14.8 billion in withdrawals.

Inflows during the first half originated mostly from Japan, the United States (US), and Singapore, with capital primarily directed toward manufacturing, financial and insurance activities, alongside real estate development.

On a monthly basis, FDI rebounded in June, expanding 35 percent year-on-year to ₱27.9 billion. Even with the bounce, June marked the second-lowest monthly total of the first semester.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? What do you think the government’s economic managers should do to attract more FDI? Do you think the Philippines will fall into a recession in 2027 or in the first half of 2028? Are you convinced that hosting the ASEAN Summit will not lead the Philippines to any economic improvements?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

+++++

DOT Expects Philippines Tourism Growth with Campaign Rebrand

September 14, 2026September 9, 2026carlocarrasco

The Department of Tourism (DOT) is expecting tourism growth for the Philippines as it makes a serious brand adjustment with its “Love the Philippines” campaign, according to a news report by BusinessWorld.

For insight, the Philippines counted 4.11 million foreign tourist arrivals for 2026 as of August. While the Philippines remains an international tourism weakling as well as an economic weakling among the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), domestic tourism is actually thriving.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of the BusinessWorld. Some parts in boldface…

The Department of Tourism (DoT) said that changing its branding direction in its Love the Philippines campaign will help boost the country’s tourism growth.

“Upon entry into the office, the first mandate that I had carried out was to change the tone of voice of the Department of Tourism with regard to how it communicates to the public,” DoT Assistant Secretary for Branding and Marketing Communications Armand Lorenze “Ren” Sapitan told lawmakers in a House Committee on Appropriations budget hearing.

“We didn’t have to change the members of branding and the marketing team,” he added. “The only thing that we adopted was a change in direction.”

Mr. Sapitan noted that the agency will shift how it approaches the Love the Philippines campaign instead of replacing it through its Discover More to Love program.

“We would not change this campaign because we recognize that the administration only has two years left,” he said. “What we are changing is how we approach the campaign.”

“The way we relate to the people, the way we promote, the way we market our tourism destinations,” he added.

The Discover More to Love program aims to highlight local destinations by partnering with companies, offering travel bundles and discounted offers.

“The Sun Group actually not only invests in marketing, but they also invest in the entire ecosystem,” Tourism Secretary Dita Angara-Mathay explained, citing the agency’s relationship with the private sector.

“The tourist attractions, from hotels, the accommodation, the entire village – that’s the kind of investment that is complete; it’s almost like a subsidy,” she added.

Filipino talents BINI and SB19 were also named as the country’s tourism ambassadors who will support the push for domestic travel.

The DoT earmarked a P4.03 billion budget under the 2027 National Expenditure Program (NEP), down 4.6% or P196 million from the approved P4.23 billion budget for 2026.

Of the proposed budget, P1 billion will fund branding campaigns, mostly for overseas marketing (60%) and domestic efforts (40%).

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think that the Philippines will be able to attract more foreign tourists this year? Do you think the DOT’s recent moves will boost both domestic and international tourism for the Philippines?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

+++++

Russia and the Philippines Emerge as Fast-Growing Tourist Markets for Vietnam

September 12, 2026September 10, 2026carlocarrasco

As Vietnam successfully attracted almost sixteen million foreign tourists during the first eight months of this year, Russia and the Philippines have emerged as the fast-growing tourist markets at 166% and 58% respectively, according to a VnExpress news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…

Tourist arrivals from Russia and the Philippines surged 166% and 58%, respectively, in the first eight months, as Vietnam recorded nearly 16 million international visitors, up more than 14% year-on-year.

The rise in Russian tourists has made Russia the largest European market and the third largest source of international arrivals to Vietnam this year, with around 1 million visitors, only after mainland China (3.5 million) and South Korea (2.8 million).

Nguyen Tien Dat, CEO of AZA Travel, said: “Russian tourists enjoy swimming, sunbathing, eating seafood, and relaxing at resorts. Vietnam fully meets these needs, so it is understandable why they are visiting in large numbers,” Dat says.

Kristina Zagumennaya, director of a Russian travel agency, told the Russian news agency Sputnik in early August that Russian tourist flows are shifting between markets. While Turkey remains the top choice, Vietnam and China have recorded outstanding growth.

“Vietnam stands out as a popular choice this tourist season,” Zagumennaya said, noting that multiple charter flights are operating to destinations across the country to meet demand for both beach holidays and cultural tourism.

In addition to charter flights, Vietnam Airlines increased the frequency of its direct Hanoi-Moscow route from three to four flights per week starting in July.

Ranking behind Russia, the Philippines also showed notable growth, despite not being a prominent source market for Vietnamese tourism prior to 2025.

Filipino visitors have risen to nearly 470,000 this year, among the 10 largest group of foreign visitors to Vietnam.

Bui Thanh Tu, marketing director of BestPrice Travel, attributes this rise to more convenient flight routes, especially from Manila and Cebu, competitive costs, and tourism products that differ from the island destinations familiar to Filipinos.

He also cites the viral impact of TikTok and YouTube videos featuring Hanoi, Sa Pa, Da Nang, and Hoi An.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you find it surprising that Russia and the Philippines became the fastest growing tourist markets for Vietnam? Do you think it is only a matter of time before Vietnam could someday attract at least 30 million foreign tourists per year?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

+++++

Online Sellers of Fake and Unregulated Products in the Philippines Targeted by Police

September 12, 2026September 8, 2026carlocarrasco

If you have been purchasing a lot of products online here in the Philippines, was there a time when a seller cheated you or scammed you over a transaction? A lot of online sellers have been involved in the distribution of fake and unregulated products, and the Philippine National Police (PNP) is actively searching for them, according to a news report by the Manila Bulletin.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of the Manila Bulletin. Some parts in boldface…

The Philippine National Police has strengthened its intelligence and enforcement efforts against online sellers and networks involved in the distribution of fake and unregulated products that may endanger consumers.

PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. said they are now working with the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and other partner agencies to identify those behind the illegal trade and build cases for prosecution.

“The PNP backs efforts to strengthen the crackdown against counterfeit goods online. We will continue to coordinate with our partner agencies to identify those behind the illegal trade and ensure that appropriate charges are filed,” Nartatez said.

Nartatez ‘statement was issued amid a call from consumer advocacy group Malayang Konsyumer for an immediate and sustained government crackdown on counterfeit products being sold through e-commerce platforms.

The group warned that fake medicines, vitamins, health supplements and beauty products may contain toxic chemicals, while counterfeit clothing, footwear, toys and perfumes as products that could expose consumers to hidden health risks.

It also raised concerns over substandard electronics that may cause fires or electrocution and fake household adhesives, sealants and building materials that may pose structural and health hazards.

“We will not allow online platforms to become a safe haven for counterfeiters. The PNP will strengthen intelligence gathering and enforcement operations against individuals and networks engaged in the sale and distribution of fake and unregulated products,” Nartatez said.

“Counterfeit goods are not only an intellectual property concern. They are also health and safety matters in most cases that need immediate and aggressive law enforcement response,” he added.

The PNP’s planned action will build on its existing campaign against smuggling and other economic crimes.

From January to June 2026, police conducted 8,986 anti-smuggling operations, resulting in the arrest of 2,560 individuals and the seizure of about P8.6 billion worth of smuggled cigarettes and equipment.

The campaign has also extended to other illegal goods as the PNP confiscated P628 million worth of smuggled goods, counterfeit products, and other illegal articles in nationwide operations in July.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Has any online seller released to you a counterfeit product? Do you believe that online shopping platforms like Shopee and Lazada have a lot of scammers and abusive online sellers?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

+++++

Vietnam Attracts Almost 16 Million Foreign Tourists in First 8 Months of 2026

September 10, 2026September 4, 2026carlocarrasco

The tourism boom in Vietnam continued strongly as the nation successfully attracted almost sixteen million foreign tourists during the first eight months of 2026, according to a news report by VnExpress.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…

Vietnam welcomed nearly 2 million international visitors in August, up 19.7% from July and 18.4% year-on-year, according to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism.

In the first eight months of this year, the country received nearly 16 million foreign visitors, an increase of 14.4% from the same period in 2025 and equivalent to 63.6% of the full-year target.

The August figure is notable as the month is usually considered part of the low season for international tourism.

The result shows that the country’s tourism market continued to maintain and expand its appeal. Air travel remained the main mode of entry, accounting for 83% of international arrivals, while arrivals by road continued to increase, particularly from neighboring countries.

By region, Asia was still Vietnam’s largest source market, with about 11.8 million visitors in the eight-month period, making up nearly 74% of the total and increasing 7.4% year-on-year.

Europe recorded the strongest growth among major regions, at 53.4%, with about 2.68 million visitors.

Arrivals from the Americas reached around 887,000, up 20.7%, while those from Oceania rose 23.3% to nearly 489,000. Africa sent about 45,000 visitors to Vietnam, up 25.1%.

The tourism authority said the figures show that Vietnam is expanding its reach beyond nearby Asian markets, with strong growth from long-haul markets, helping diversify the visitor base and reduce dependence on individual markets.

By country, China remained Vietnam’s largest source market, with 3.54 million visitors, accounting for about 22.3% of the total. South Korea ranked second with approximately 2.76 million visitors, or 17.3%. Together, the two markets provided more than 6.3 million visitors, nearly 40% of the country’s total.

Russia ranked third with more than 1 million visitors, representing a year-on-year increase of about 165.7%, the highest growth among major source markets.

Other key markets also posted strong growth. Visitors from the U.S. increased 20.4%, Cambodia 41.5%, Japan 9.2%, the Philippines 58.8% and Australia 23.3%.

European markets continued to perform well, with arrivals from the U.K. rising 9.8%, France 13.4%, Germany 15.1%, Sweden 25.1%, Switzerland 27%, Poland 51.2% and the Czech Republic 28.2%. In Southeast Asia, tourists from Malaysia grew 20.5%, Singapore 31.7%, and Indonesia 26.7%.

India was another fast-growing market. The number of Indian visitors rose from just 102,000 in 2019 to more than 612,000 in the first eight months of 2026.

The expansion of direct air services between major Indian cities and Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang has helped make Vietnam more accessible to Indian travelers.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think Vietnam can attract at least 25 million foreign tourists by the end of this year? If you plan to visit Vietnam soon, what are your three main reasons for visiting?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

+++++

Philippines GDP Growth Unlikely To Reach 6% In Medium Term

September 6, 2026September 1, 2026carlocarrasco

Several economic factors and the continued vulnerability to climate-driven shocks make it unlikely for the Philippines to achieve gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 6% in the medium term, according to a news report by BusinessWorld citing Moody’s Ratings.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of BusinessWorld. Some parts in boldface…

MOODY’S RATINGS said the Philippines’ medium-term growth outlook seems bleak as its slow investment recovery and vulnerability to climate-driven shocks may derail its economic rebound.

In a statement following its latest rating action on the Philippines, the debt watcher said the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth is expected to hover below its pre-pandemic level of around 6% over the medium term.

“The Philippines’ medium-term growth will continue to be underpinned by favorable demographics, resilient remittances and service exports, and a gradual strengthening of investment as confidence recovers, with electronics and other goods exports providing a more marginal offset,” Moody’s Ratings said late on Monday.

“Even so, we expect medium-term potential to settle somewhat below the near-6% pace recorded before the pandemic, as investment recovers only gradually and the economy remains exposed to recurrent natural disasters and climate-related shocks,” it added.

Moody’s slashed its Philippine GDP growth forecast for this year to 3.6% from 5.5%. This falls near the bottom end of the government’s 3.5%-4.5% target for the year.

In the second quarter, GDP growth tumbled to a new post-pandemic low of 2.3%, bringing average growth to 2.6% in the first half.

The fourth consecutive quarter of slowing growth came as investments continued to reel from last year’s flood control corruption scandal, while rising prices amid the Middle East war squeezed household spending.

Moody’s Ratings noted that the Middle East war shocks and investment slump are “largely cyclical,” with an investment-driven recovery expected later this year.

“The recovery from the second half of 2026 should be led by a rebound in public investment as the government resumes stalled disbursements and normalizes spending execution,” it said.

Moody’s Ratings said that local investments should focus on public infrastructure and public-private partnerships, especially in renewable energy “as the country diversifies its energy mix in response to the recent shock.”

The government’s recent reforms should also eventually boost investment and productivity as their benefits are realized, the debt watcher said.

These include the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises to Maximize Opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy Act, foreign investment liberalization, and allowing more private and foreign participation in sectors such as renewable energy.

By 2027, Moody’s Ratings expects GDP to expand by 5.3%, although still slower than its previous estimate of 5.6%.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Are you convinced that the economy of the Philippines really does not have enough strength to achieve 6% GDP growth anytime soon? Do you think the current economic managers know what they are doing? Do you think there will absolutely be no economic gains from the Philippines’ hosting of the 2026 ASEAN Summit?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

+++++

Thailand’s 2026 Tourism Revenue Reaches $29.8 Billion as of August 22

September 5, 2026September 1, 2026carlocarrasco

Thailand, one of the leaders of tourism in Southeast Asia, saw its 2026 tourism revenue reach almost $30 billion as of August 22 and it has also attracted over twenty million foreign tourists along the way, according to a report by VnExpress.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…

Thailand, Southeast Asia’s second-most visited country after Malaysia, recorded tourism revenue of 984.32 billion baht (US$29.8 billion) between Jan. 1 and Aug. 22, down 2.9% year-on-year, amid a slowdown in tourist arrivals.

The top five sources of tourists contributing to this revenue were China, Malaysia, India, Russia, and South Korea, Nation Thailand reported.

The tourism-dependent country welcomed 20.32 million international visitors during the period, down 2.96% from the same period last year.

Once a tourism powerhouse in Southeast Asia, Thailand has faced a slowdown in foreign arrivals since last year amid growing concerns over kidnapping and visitor safety.

Safety concerns have intensified following the deaths of two Russian tourists and three members of a Thai family in Chon Buri Province earlier this month, Bangkok Post reported.

The recent kidnapping of a Chinese tourist, who managed to escape before being taken across the border into Myanmar, has renewed concerns over the safety of foreign visitors.

The Thai government has cut its forecast for Chinese arrivals in 2026 from 9 million to 7 million.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think Thailand’s tourism can somehow attract more foreign tourists and at least match their 2025 numbers? Do you consider Thailand a very safe place for foreigners? If you have visited Thailand before, did you get good value in return on your spending there?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

+++++

Full Lifting of Import Ban on US Fresh Potatoes Could Happen in Japan

September 4, 2026September 4, 2026carlocarrasco

The Ministry of Agriculture in Japan is advancing procedures that could lead to the full lifting of the import ban on fresh potatoes from the United States as a crucial briefing will happen this month, according to a news article by Jiji Press.

This is the latest development about US fresh potatoes following the authorities’ response to an official request from Washington. It has officially been documented that the production of fresh potatoes in Japan reached 2,236,458.75 metric tons in 2024 which pales in comparison with the 4.1 million metric tons achieved in 1986.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the entire news article of Jiji Press. Some parts in boldface…

Japan is advancing procedures that could lead to the full lifting of its ban on imports of fresh potatoes from the United States, even as concerns persist about quarantine issues and the impact on Japanese farmers’ livelihoods.

Last Friday, the agriculture ministry announced that it would hold a briefing this month on pests and diseases identified as possibly posing a threat to domestic agriculture if they arrive in the country on potatoes. It plans to then begin considering specific quarantine measures before making a final decision on whether to allow imports.

While lifting the import ban could take several years, many are wary about allowing potatoes from the United States, one of the world’s biggest producers.

“We will approach the discussions with resolve,” agriculture minister Norikazu Suzuki told a press conference Friday.

Japan in principle bans imports of fresh potatoes to prevent pest infestations. However, an exemption to the ban was granted in 2006 for U.S. potatoes used to make potato chips.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think chances are good that Japan will lift the ban on the importation of fresh potatoes from the United States? Do you think having more American fresh potatoes in the Japan market will seriously disrupt the livelihoods of Japanese farmers? Do you think Japan’s farmers have what it takes to significantly boost potato production by hundreds of thousands in metric tons per year in the short term?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

+++++

Births in Japan Grow for the First Time in 11 Years

September 3, 2026August 31, 2026carlocarrasco

For the first time in eleven years, the number of children born in Japan grew at last with a 0.8 rise covering the first half of 2026, according to a news article by Kyodo News. 342,068 children were born in the January-June 2026 period and the figure includes births to foreign nationals.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news article of Kyodo News. Some parts in boldface…

The number of children born in Japan in the first six months of 2026 rose 0.8 percent from a year earlier to 342,068, marking the first increase for the January-June period in 11 years, health ministry data showed Friday.

The figure, which includes births to foreign nationals, marks an increase of 2,788 from the same period in 2025, according to data released by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare.

Japan has seen births declining since 1973, when 2.09 million babies were born in the middle of the country’s second baby boom.

The recent rise in births comes as the number of marriages recovered in 2024 and 2025, a key factor influencing births.

The number of marriages in 2025, including those involving foreign nationals, rose 1.1 percent from the previous year to about 505,000, marking the second straight annual increase. In the first half of 2026, the number of couples tying the knot rose 0.2 percent from a year earlier to 238,979.

Still, some projections suggest births will remain on a long-term downward trend due to Japan’s shrinking population of people of childbearing age and an increase in those delaying or choosing not to marry.

Births increased in 26 prefectures, with Tokyo posting the largest increase of 2,278, followed by Aichi at 517 and Fukuoka at 438. Among the remaining 21 prefectures that saw declines, Ishikawa Prefecture recorded the largest decrease, at 360.

In the six-month period from January, the number of deaths fell 6.9 percent to 778,982, resulting in a natural population decline of 436,914.

The number of births in 2025 fell to 705,000, marking a record low for the 10th consecutive year, prompting calls to expand support for those who wish to marry and have children.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think there is still hope for another increase in the number of children born in Japan in the near future? Do you think the government and the private sector can work together on solving the population decline of Japan without depending on immigrants?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

+++++

	Travel Channel on Department of Tourism Adjusts…
	Social Media Channel on Department of Tourism Adjusts…
	Business Channel on Department of Tourism Adjusts…
	Technology Channel on Department of Tourism Adjusts…
	Markets & Financ… on Department of Tourism Adjusts…

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: