foreign investors – Page 5 – Author Carlo Carrasco

Ayala-Mitsubishi deal likely to boost GCash IPO

October 30, 2024October 21, 2024carlocarrasco

If things go well, the recent deal made between Ayala Corp. and Japan’s Mitsubishi Corp. will likely boost the anticipated initial public offering (IPO) of e-wallet entity GCash, according to a BusinessWorld news report referencing analysts.

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

THE RECENT deal between Ayala Corp. and Japan’s Mitsubishi Corp. is likely to increase the valuation of the anticipated initial public offering (IPO) of the electronic wallet GCash, according to analysts.

On Friday last week, Ayala Corp. announced that it was selling its 50% stake in AC Ventures Holding Corp. (ACV) to Mitsubishi for a minimum of P18.4 billion.

ACV owns 13% of Globe Fintech Innovations, Inc. (Mynt), which has two fintech companies, G-Xchange Inc., the operator of GCash, and Fuse Lending, a tech-based microlender.

“The deal reinforces the value of Mynt for its future IPO. With key investors coming in at a valuation of around $5 billion, Mynt is poised for an IPO at a much higher valuation,” Chinabank Capital Corp. Managing Director Juan Paolo E. Colet said in a Viber message.

GCash previously said it was planning an IPO but would wait for a more favorable market.

According to Mr. Colet, the IPO could happen as early as next year depending on market conditions.

“I can see the IPO within the next two to three years. Perhaps as soon as next year if market conditions are very good,” he said.

“So far, it seems Globe wants a local IPO for Mynt. But it would be better if they do a dual listing in the Philippines and a larger stock market to get the best of both worlds,” he added.

Globalinks Securities and Stocks, Inc. Trader Mark V. Santarina said in a Viber message that the deal helps GCash’s international expansion plans.

GCash services are available in 16 countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, Italy, Australia, Canada, Germany, and other Asian countries.

“For GCash, Mitsubishi’s entry paves the way for potential international expansion, particularly into Japan, and may boost its service offerings in microlending and financial technology,” he said.

“While GCash is considering overseas listings for its IPO, there is still hope it may choose to list on the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) instead, which would be a significant win for the local market,” he added.

AP Securities, Inc. Research Head Alfred Benjamin R. Garcia said in a Viber message that the deal could help improve other Ayala ventures.

“With its entry into ACV, Mitsubishi is not only buying into GCash but also into other ventures under ACV like Gogoro and Zalora. We believe Mitsubishi’s expertise can help improve these businesses and maybe even accelerate the expansion of GCash into Japan,” he said.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think an IPO of GCash could happen sometime in 2025? Are you an investor waiting for the GCash IPO to happen?

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

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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 @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Improving foreign investment outlook for Philippines seen

September 12, 2024September 4, 2024carlocarrasco

As far as analysts are concerned, the foreign investment outlook for the Philippines is improving and should result in more investments, according to a BusinessWorld news report.

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

LOWER INTEREST RATES will help drive the entry of more foreign direct and portfolio investments into the Philippines, analysts said.

“The outlook for foreign direct investment (FDI) and foreign portfolio investment (FPI) in the Philippines appears promising, with current trends suggesting the country could meet or potentially exceed the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) targets,” Security Bank Corp. Chief Economist Robert Dan J. Roces said in a Viber message.

The BSP expects to record FDI net inflows of $9.5 billion this year. For foreign portfolio investments, it forecasts $3.1 billion in net inflows by yearend.

“The BSP’s forecast for the year sounds reasonable, as it wouldn’t be too far a stretch, with that sort of level of annual FDI coming into the Philippines almost consistently over this period, barring the coronavirus-hit year in 2020,” Pantheon Macroeconomics Chief Emerging Asia Economist Miguel Chanco said in an e-mail.

In the January-to-May period, FDI net inflows jumped by 15.8% year on year to $4.024 billion, data from the BSP showed.

Meanwhile, short-term foreign investments yielded a net inflow of $1.46 billion in the January-July period, surging from the $157.3-million net inflows in the same period a year ago.

FDIs are considered long-term investments, while portfolio investments or “hot money” are seen as more fickle due to the ease by which these funds enter and leave the economy.

Ruben Carlo O. Asuncion, chief economist at Union Bank of the Philippines, Inc., said the BSP’s investment targets are doable amid easing interest rates.

“Offering attractive rates will be the key. All around will be declining key rates, thus, offering sensible investments now will lock in gains for prospective investors. I would like to believe that there is time,” he added.

Mr. Roces said the further reduction in policy rates this year and next year “should stimulate investment activity, particularly for FDI, by making borrowing more attractive.”

At its August meeting, the Monetary Board cut rates for the first time in nearly four years or since November 2020. It reduced borrowing costs by 25 basis points (bps), bringing the benchmark rate to 6.25% from the previous over 17-year high of 6.5%.

The central bank could also deliver another 25-bp rate hike in the fourth quarter, BSP Governor Eli M. Remolona, Jr. said earlier.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you agree with the findings of the economic analysts pointing to improving foreign investment outlook for the nation?

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

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Foreign direct investments (FDI) inflows jump almost 90% in February 2024

April 23, 2024April 10, 2024carlocarrasco

The data released by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) confirmed that foreign direct investments (FDI) net inflow went up by almost ninety percent in February 2024, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article. In terms of Dollar amount, the estimate was over $900 million.

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

Foreign direct investments (FDI) net inflow went up by 89.9 percent in February this year.

Data released by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) on Wednesday showed that FDI net inflows during the month amounted to USD907 million, up from the USD478 million recorded in January 2023.

FDIs include investment by a non-resident direct investor in a resident enterprise, whose equity capital in the latter is at least 10 percent, and investment made by a non-resident subsidiary or associate in its resident direct investor.

The BSP said an FDI can be in the form of equity capital, reinvestment of earnings, and borrowings.

“The increase in FDI was supported mainly by the 173.2 percent expansion in non-residents’ net investments in debt instruments to USD820 million from USD300 million in January 2023,” said the BSP.

Reinvestment of earnings also increased by 16.4 percent to USD99 million from USD85 million. The BSP said top sources of FDIs during the month include Japan and the United States.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think there is enough momentum for FDI net inflow to exceed the $1 billion mark by the first few months of 2025? Do you think the government is doing a good job attracting foreign investments?

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

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World Bank sees stronger Philippine economic growth in 2025

April 11, 2024April 2, 2024carlocarrasco

Recently the World Bank (WB) revealed its forecast of stronger economic growth for the Philippines in the year 2025 although still below the projections of the government, according to a BusinessWorld news report.

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

THE WORLD BANK (WB) maintained its economic growth forecast for the Philippines this year but raised its 2025 growth projection, amid expectations of higher consumer spending and foreign investments.

In its latest East Asia and Pacific (EAP) Economic Update, the World Bank said it expects Philippine gross domestic product (GDP) to grow by 5.8% this year, the fastest in Southeast Asia along with Cambodia.

The Philippines and Cambodia are seen to expand faster than Vietnam (5.5%), Indonesia (4.9%), Malaysia (4.3%), Lao People’s Democratic Republic (4.0%), Timor-Leste (3.6%), Thailand (2.8%) and Myanmar (1.3%).

For 2025, the World Bank raised its GDP forecast for the Philippines to 5.9% from 5.8%.

However, the World Bank’s growth forecasts for the Philippines are lower than the government’s target of 6.5-7.5% for 2024 and 6.5-8% for 2025 to 2028.

“What has sustained growth in the Philippines, like much of the region, has been consumption and the recovery in services,” WB East Asia and Pacific Chief Economist Aaditya Mattoo said at a virtual briefing on Monday.

He noted foreign investment flows into the Philippines might increase after the government implemented significant reforms such as Republic Act No. 11659 or the Public Service Act, which allows full foreign ownership in key sectors such as telecommunications and airlines.

“(The reforms) should begin to pay off in terms of greater foreign investment, which though in the short run… the flows have been less strong than we would have expected,” Mr. Mattoo said.

Climate and geopolitical shocks, as well as elevated inflation and high interest rates are risks to the growth outlook.

“If there is a resurgence in inflation, for example in the United States, which might well see interest rates even higher for longer, that would certainly affect growth throughout the region as we have estimated,” he said.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the Philippine economy can grow stronger than the forecast of the World Bank for 2025?

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

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P170.6-billion NAIA deal signed

March 28, 2024March 18, 2024carlocarrasco

Recently at Malacañang Palace, the ambitious P170.6 billion agreement to rehabilitate and modernize the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) was formally signed in the presence of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., House Speaker Martin Romualdez and Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin which symbolically starts the public-private partnership, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article.

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

The PHP170.6-billion Public-Private Partnership (PPP) agreement for the rehabilitation of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) is expected to herald economic growth through better collaborations with both local and foreign investors, Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said Monday.

At the signing of the concession deal between the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC) in Malacañang, Bautista said the PPP project would “open floodgates” of opportunities from investments, business, tourism, and employment.

“We welcome this development for the NAIA PPP Project as this will not only generate revenue for the government but it will also create opportunities for Filipinos. With a modernized NAIA, we are elevating the airport’s facilities and services to international standards,” he said.

The agreement, Bautista said, would send signal to the international business community about the viability of government infrastructure projects.

“This radical transformation comes at no small price Substantial investments in infrastructure and technology will necessitate collaborations with local and foreign partners,” he added.

San Miguel Corporation president and chief executive officer Ramon Ang, for his part, said the NNIC would not only rehabilitate but also improve the airport’s functionality and “establish a new standard in serving excellence.”

“Together with our partner, Incheon, we have assembled a team of experts, focused on implementing immediate improvement, and help us achieve our long-term goal for NAIA,” Ang said.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos who witnessed the signing described the pact as an “investment in our future.”

“This undertaking is not just about revenues that will be remitted to treasury alone, but resources invested in the airport,” Marcos said.

The agreement, signed by Bautista, Ang and Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) General Manager Eric Ines, covers 15 years with an option for a 10-year extension.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction about this recent development? Do you think this new public private partnership will succeed with achieving its goals of modernizing the NAIA, creating new jobs and attract both new investments and a higher number of foreign visitors in the years in the come?

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

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Three major Japanese investors plan to expand operations in PEZA ecozones

March 15, 2024March 11, 2024carlocarrasco

With all the uncertainty and economic challenges going on, the economy of the Philippines could get a much-needed boost as the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) revealed that three major Japanese investors are planning to expand their existing operations in the country, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

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

The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) disclosed that three major Japanese investors are planning to expand their operations in the Philippines.

PEZA Director General Tereso Panga, who was guest speaker during an Economic Seminar in Tokyo recently, reported that he held talks with long-time PEZA investors Tsuneishi, electronics manufacturing firm SIIX Co., and automobile manufacturer FCC Co., Ltd. The seminar hosted by Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. was attended by 140 Japanese firms.

According to PEZA, Tsuneishi is preparing for its fifth phase of expansion, including projects to manufacture the world’s first methanol-fueled TEU container carriers and establishing a wood pelletizing business.

Since 1994, the Japanese shipbuilder has already expanded its Philippine operations four times. Its first project was its shipbuilding business in Balamban, Cebu which grew to a 170-hectare facility from 25 hectares.

It also employs around 10,000 direct and subcontracted employees, a long way from the mere 300 workers it had when it began operations.

In Panga’s meeting with SIIX Co.,Ltd, its President Koji Yanase said they see their Philippine operations “playing a crucial role as they expand their core business and enter new territories.”

SIIX Co. has been engaging with the Philippines since 1957 as with the establishment of the first offshore operations for their ink production in the country.

The company said that it will manufacture its patented conductive ink in the Philippines, according to Panga.

Meanwhile, Yoshitaka Saito’s FCC Co. said they expect their Philippine operations to grow in the coming years as they ramp up “manufacturing of the clutch for Honda Click 125 motorcycle, production of paper ceramics for other electronics component manufacturers, and investment in new advanced technology businesses that will involve the assembly line for scooters, lining molding line, and weight line.”

FCC is also eyeing involvement in the country’s circular economy through using solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) for water filtration and production of solid biomass fuel.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction about this recent development? Do you think that the planned expansion of the three Japanese firms will help the national economy a lot in the long-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.

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Philippines achieves 7.6% economic growth in 2022

January 30, 2023January 26, 2023carlocarrasco

The Philippines’ recovery from the downturn of the COVID-19 crisis continued strongly as it has been confirmed that the national economy expanded by 7.6% for the entire year of 2022 which includes a 7.2% 4^th quarter economic growth, according to a news article by the Philippine News Agency (PNA). Take note that the Philippines is expected to grow between 6.5% and 7% in 2023 according to the national authorities while there are signs that the United States economy will fall into a recession this year. Regardless, the Philippines ended 2022 competitively in terms of economic expansion among its Asian neighbors.

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

The Philippine economy expanded by 7.2 percent in the last quarter of 2022, bringing full-year growth to 7.6 percent, driven by increased economic activity mainly from pent-up demand as it fully reopened amid elevated inflation rate.

National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said among the major emerging economies in the region that have released their fourth-quarter gross domestic product (GDP) growth, the Philippines grew the fastest, followed by Vietnam at 5.9 percent and China at 2.9 percent.  

“Our improved Covid-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) risk management and the easing of mobility restrictions have created a positive economic outlook, boosting economic activity and creating more jobs despite external headwinds,” he said in a briefing on Thursday.

Balisacan said measures being implemented by the government to further buoy the economy’s recovery are working.

“Our strong economic growth performance for 2022 proves that our calibrated policies and strategies have helped put us on the path to recovery and on track to achieving our aspiration for an inclusive, prosperous, and resilient society by 2028,” he said.

Balisacan said pent-up demand drove growth in the fourth quarter as the economy was fully reopened during the period, with household consumption accounting for around three-fourths of domestic output, and investments contributing around a fifth.

“The improvements in labor market conditions, increased tourism, revenge and holiday spending, and resumption of face-to-face classes supported growth in the quarter, further reflecting a solid rebound in consumer and investor confidence in the economy,” he said.

Balisacan said had it not been for the elevated inflation rate, which rose to its highest since November 2008 last December when it accelerated to 8.1 percent, “growth could have been higher by another perhaps 1 to 2 percentage points.”

“It shows how overall demand is sensitive to inflation,” he added.

In terms of the volume of economic activities, Balisacan said domestic growth has recovered for many sectors, except for others such as tourism.

“(But) in so far as per capital income… we haven’t fully recovered yet,” he said.

Balisacan said the government is firm on ensuring that quality jobs will be available to Filipinos to lessen their need to work abroad.

“Inclusive growth across the archipelago will be our vehicle for reducing poverty incidence from 18 percent of the population in 2021 to a single-digit level by 2028,” he said.

National Statistician Dennis Mapa said 2022 full year GDP growth of 7.6 percent exceeded the government’s 6.5 to 7.5 percent growth assumption for the year and the highest after the 8.8 percent in 1976.

Mapa said the fourth-quarter growth, slower than the 7.6 percent in the previous quarter, was driven by the wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles, financial and insurance activities and retail estate and ownership of dwellings boosted domestic growth.

He said domestic demand remained strong, with the household final consumption expenditure (HFCE) rising by 2.1 percent quarter-on-quarter, led by the restaurants and hotels, food and non-alcoholic beverages, and miscellaneous goods and services. Year-on-year expansion of HFCE stood at 7 percent.

Among the major economic industries, Mapa said agriculture, forestry, and fishing contracted by 1.7 percent because of the lower output of sugarcane, palay (rice), and poultry and egg production.

Meanwhile, Balisacan said the government is doing pro-active assessment of the current situation to address the elevated inflation rate in the country, which is expected to go back to within the government’s 2 to 4 percent target band by the second half of this year.

He said the government continues to allow the importation of several food items to boost domestic supply, adding that not doing so will hurt both the consumers and domestic growth.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this new development? Do you believe that the economy of the Philippine economy will grow between 6.5% to 7% this year? Do you think that more foreign tourists coming into the country will be able to help the nation achieve its economic growth targets this year? Apart from what was already mentioned, what do you think the national government should do to combat inflation? Do you think that the lower income tax for middle income earners will make a positive contribution to economic growth?

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

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. If you want to support my website, please consider making a donation. 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 @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco/.

Philippines Finance Secretary Diokno says the national economy is resilient enough to face post-pandemic world

January 27, 2023January 26, 2023carlocarrasco

Recently in a high-level economic meeting in Germany, Philippines Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno declared that the national economy is resilient enough for the post-pandemic world and that the national government has been making adjustments, according to a news article published by the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

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

Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno on Monday told foreign investors and business leaders that the Philippine economy is resilient enough and that the government is doing its best to address post-pandemic challenges.

Diokno made the remarks during the Philippine economic briefing attended by the economic managers in Frankfurt, Germany that was streamed through various government agency Facebook pages.

The Finance chief noted that inflation is also a concern in the Philippines just like in other countries, but measures are being undertaken by the government to address the issue, such as managing prices by ensuring adequate supplies of agricultural products, and boosting the agriculture sector’s capacity and productivity to help address the rising commodity prices, among others.

“We also are continuing the importation of necessary commodities to ease inflation,” he said.

The government has allowed the continued importation of rice, sugar, and meat, which are among the primary factor for the elevated food prices due to supply issues.

Relatively, Diokno assured investors that the government has put in place a fiscal consolidation program to address the uptick in government liabilities, due in part to the increased borrowing to finance pandemic-related programs.

He identified three factors that will support the government’s fiscal consolidation and one of this is the fact that “only a small fraction of our outstanding debt is exposed to interest rate resetting.”

This, as bulk of the government liabilities are sourced from domestic fund sources, with around 75 percent of the borrowing program allocated to the domestic market.

“We already have anticipated the tightening monetary policy conditions when we formulated the interest rate payments in the 2023 budget,” Diokno said.

He added that “government securities market is dominated by local players that are bank-centric and homogeneous in investment governance.”

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this new development? Do you believe that the economy of the Philippines is resilient enough for the post-pandemic age even as there are concerns about high inflation and economic slowdown around the world? Do you believe that the national government has what it takes to make key adjustments to unforeseen developments that could happen anytime? Are you convinced that foreign investors as well as foreign tourists will come into the Philippines in great numbers over the next eighteen months? How is your local government doing when it comes to economic developments like livelihood, jobs training and other related activities?

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

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